Enjoy the Whitehaven Coast - stay safe
The Whitehaven Coast is a wonderful place to explore but there are hazards which you must be aware of.
Here are just some of the things to watch out for ......
Cliff edge
In places the costal path runs very close to the cliff edge which in places is crumbling and eroding. Take great care in these places especially with children.
Uneven and slumping ground - occasional rock fall
Some of the slopes which run down to the sea (e.g. around Saltom Pit and Ravenhill) have very broken and uneven ground with occasional holes opening up and the potential for rock fall from above. Only go where you are confident the ground you are walking on is safe or you. Parents should be aware of these hazards if they think there is a chance their children might explore these areas on their own.
Saltom Pit building and sea wall
Although there are possible plans to carry our safety and conservation work to the Saltom Pit buildings, the buildings are currently unstable and are not safe for people to look around. The sea wall around Saltom is very high and in places the edge is not obvious.
Industrial remains
Because the area has been used for industry for the past 200 years or so there are industrial remains scattered around with sharp and rusting objects occasionally sticking out of the ground.
Take care particularly is you are exploring areas with long vegetation where these objects might be hidden.
Shoreline
The area around South Beach is currently fenced off and is not safe for public access. The hope is that access to this area can be restored in the near future.
While the beaches at Saltom, Barrowmouth and Fleswick are very attractive places to visit, you should be aware that that the paths down to them are steep and uneven. The tides on this coast have a very large range and it would be easy to get cut off around some of the stepper sections of cliff.
Other users eg motorbikes
While the use of motorbikes and quad bikes is not allowed anywhere on the coast there is a risk that visitors may encounter people riding these at speed. Make sure you give them plenty of room.
Of course it's perfectly possible to explore and stay safe provided you are aware of the possible hazards.
