Find the best things to do in Braystones. Share tips, advice and recommendations with locals.
Bootle Station Bank House, Millom, Cumbria LA19 5XB England
A row of beach bungalows overlook a shingle and sand beach which is almost completely submerged at high tide. Behind the beach are industrial buildings at Sellafield and the single-track coastal railway runs alongside.
Walks
Walking enthusiasts are never at a loss for something to do in this area of Cumbria. The popular Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk is a great option for nature lovers as it’s packed full of opportunities to spot local flora like beautiful red valerian and ferns, whilst ornithologists can be sure to see a number of exciting birds such as Guillemots, Razorbills and Shags.
With a relatively mellow length and forgiving climbs, this walk is suitable for healthy adults and older children. However, the rocky footpath isn’t ideal for buggies and is best avoided with younger children as it can be quite slippery in places. You’ll find the starting point for this walk at either Bray or Greystones train station. Both of which are easily accessible by car and public transport. Alternatively, you can also start the walk from the free car park at Raheen Park which will cut about a kilometre off the overall route.
The Beach
For beach lovers, there’s no better place than Braystones. With its stunning views and wide expanse of white sand, the beach is one of Cumbria’s most famous and beautiful.
There are a number of great self-catering options close to the beach, including Ocean Edge Beach Lodge. This lovely property offers a warm welcome and value mobile-home accommodation with sea views. The best way to check availability is to search your dates using the form above.
Getting to Braystones Beach is easy thanks to the nearby railway station. Find train times and prices using Rome2Rio’s handy journey planner.
The Lakes
A simple lakeside walk alongside Wastwater is a great way to enjoy the stunning vistas and trees that surround the water. From there you can access a variety of walking routes that take you to the highest mountain in England – Scafell Pike from Wasdale Head.
The sand and shingle beach at Braystones is an important habitat for Natterjack Toads, Wildfowl and is given SSSI protection. It also carries accumulated radionuclides that are not normally exposed at other beaches. The sea flood defences proposed for the RWE site would rely on this spit of land that did not exist 250 years ago and could fail in the event of an accident.
There are a number of things to do in Braystones and the surrounding area including Muncaster Castle and gardens, Ravenglass and Eskdale railway which offers one of the most beautiful train journeys in the country, and Whitehaven with its picturesque harbour and all the usual high street brands. There is also a great selection of disused railway lines like Smardale Gill Nature Reserve.
The Village
This small, quaint village is the ideal place for those who want to take a break from it all. There are a few pubs, a restaurant and a shop. There are also plenty of things to do in Braystones, including walking, fishing and more.
There is a small church in the village as well. The most interesting landmark in the area is the three-stage Braystones Tower, which was built in 1897 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Jubilee and later became a war memorial.
If you’re staying in the area, there are plenty of self-catering properties to choose from. The closest to Braystones station is 2 Low Farm Cottage in Beckermet, which sleeps 6. Prices start from £644. This property has something for everyone and is the perfect base for exploring the Lake District. It is a short walk to the beach and train station and has great walks nearby. This includes a stretch of Wainwright’s Coast to Coast walk.
