SeaFest returns to the beach at St Bees on Saturday 29 July from 10.00am to 4.00pm. It’s a free, action-packed, family-friendly celebration of the amazing wildlife found in the Irish Sea and a demonstration of how we can enjoy local seafood in a sustainable way.  

We'll be joined by top local chefs giving seafood tasters and cooking demonstrations and the day’s varied activities include beach yoga and meditation, arts and crafts, theatre performances, marine-themed games and challenges, rockpool rambles, guided dolphin surveys, kayaking, a chance to take part in citizen science schemes – and not forgetting the famous annual sand sculpture competition. There’s something for everyone!

SeaFest organiser Amber Gould, Marine Project Officer for Cumbria Wildlife Trust, said:

“The festival is such a great way to get excited and involved with all the wonderful wildlife in our Irish Sea! This year we have a fantastic performance planned by the L’aal Collective that’s all about bringing back abundant wildlife to our oceans. You’ll be able to take part in helping the seas yourself through some citizen science we’re running on the day, as well as exploring the rockpools, and getting a bit competitive with the sand sculpture competition!

“We’re really excited to welcome everyone on Saturday 29 July, to try some local and sustainable seafood, get creative with marine-themed arts and crafts, try your hand at yoga, kayaking or our other activities running on the day. It’s a wonderful chance for us to celebrate all things marine, discover our coastal wildlife and explore how we can enjoy cooking and eating seafood in a way that respects the amazing seabed habitats on our coast.”  

The festival kicks off at 10.00am, with arts and crafts, competitions and rockpooling. By 11.00am, sea kayak tasters will be in full swing – and if you fancy something calmer, yoga sessions will also be underway!

The annual sand sculpture competition begins at 1.00pm, with judging starting at 3.00pm. As always, Cumbria’s local businesses have been incredibly generous, offering great prizes for the best sea-life sand creatures. The prizes on offer include family tickets for Maryport Aquarium, a voucher for the infinity bridge at Honister Slate Mine, free entry to the Summer Playday sessions at Florence Arts Centre and a family pass to the Lake District Wildlife Park, with more prizes still to be confirmed.

You need to book your pitch in advance for Beached Art, as well as booking on the day for a few activities:

• Paddlesports tasters from Copeland Canoe Club (11.00am – 4.00pm)
• Beach yoga taster sessions (11.00am – 2.00pm)

Book these events here.

There are lots of other events during the day which are drop-in, including:

• Rockpool rambles, BioBlitz and beach bingo (all day)
• Marine-themed arts and crafts (all day)
• Dolphin survey (10.00am – 12.30pm)
• RNLI rescue station (all day)
• Mobile rockpool from Maryport Aquarium (all day)
• Sustainable seafood tasters (12.00pm – 4.00pm)
• Storytelling performances from The L'aal Collective (all day)
• Litter mosaics workshop from St Bees litter champions (1.30pm – 3.30pm)

Click here for more details.  

SeaFest is just one of many summer seaside activities we're running to celebrate National Marine Week (Saturday 22 July to Sunday 6 August). Other events taking place along the Cumbrian coast include:

• Rockpool Ramble, Parton, Monday 24 July – explore the wonderful wildlife found in our rockpools

• Coastal foraging workshop, Parton, Tuesday 25 July - discover the tasty treats found along the shoreline, and learn about sustainable seafood

• Snorkel safaris, Parton, Monday 24 and Tuesday 25 July -  explore the wonderful world beneath the waves, with our new series of snorkel safaris and wild swimming tasters!

• Beach cleans at various locations throughout National Marine Week – check our Events page to find the closest one to you and help to clean our seas!

Please note, you need to book on these Marine Week events. Find out more and book here.