Allonby Beach (South) (Crosscanonby)

Lying in a designated Area of Outstanding Beauty, Allonby has a delightful sand and shingle beach which stretches for around 5 miles in length.

From the beach there are views across the beautiful Solway Firth towards the hills of Scotland.  To the East, the Lakeland fells provide a beautiful backdrop. And, on a clear day, it is sometimes possible to see across to the Isle of Man.

The clean, shallow waters of the gently curving bay make the area a popular destination for windsurfers and other water sports enthusiasts.

From the 18th to 19th centuries, the pretty seaside village of Allonby was a centre for herring fishing.  In the early 19th century Allonby became a popular bathing resort.  The building in which the baths were found still exists in the market square, although it is now a private residence, not open to the public. 

The village has plenty of places to eat and drink and attractive cobbled streets, as well as some fine buildings.  Look out for the Reading Room, designed by Alfred Waterhouse, who also designed London’s Natural History Museum.

The Cumbrian Coastal Way runs through the village.