SPRING is here and summer is just around the corner which means more people will be heading to the coast. 

It is the perfect time of year to head to the seaside and soak up some of the wonderful British sun. 

Cumbria has an abundance of amazing coastal areas to visit with villages and towns spanning up and down the West Coast. 

Many have amazing harboursides that are perfect for a stroll and there are all kinds of things to enjoy like cafes, ice cream shops, and restaurants. 

Here at Newsquest, we've compiled together a list of some of the best places to visit as the days get longer and hotter. 

Whitehaven Harbour

This West Cumbrian town's harbour is rich in history and has two piers with recently renovated lighthouses dating back to the 1800s. 

There are some wonderful features to enjoy like the Candlestick feature which was once part of Wellington Pit and the more modern Crow's Nest which sits at the end of one of the quays. 

St Bees Beach

St Bees is quite simply the idyllic English beach with vast sands spanning for some miles, rock pools, and cliffs that dominate the skyline. This is not one to miss off your list this summer. 

Silloth

This picturesque coastal area has amazing, cobbled streets which bring back a sense of nostalgia to a simpler time. 

The village green is the highlight as it overlooks the coastline. 

There are also great places to get fish and chips and ice cream. 

Allonby 

This scenic coastal town is the perfect place to spend a summer's afternoon. 

It is popular with people across Cumberland and is always bustling in the summer months. 

Ravenglass

This quiet seaside village is just a stone's throw from the historic Muncaster Castle and lies on an estuary that can be explored further when the tide is out.