Right now

Temp12°C

Wind18 km/h

Gusts27 km/h

Humidity74.9%

Rain 48h3mm

Last rain32h ago

Assessment

Drying — 26h since rain

Sandstone may still hold subsurface moisture

Tidal access: Base completely submerged at high tide — climb strictly 3h either side of low water.

loose_rock

Drying Time

89% dry · 25-51h to dry

7-day forecast

Scroll through each day — hourly detail is shown inline.

Today Monday 28 September

Caution

Temp0°C

Raindry

Wind18 km/h

Gusts27 km/h

Humidity75%

Drying — 26h since rainSandstone may still hold subsurface moisture

Hard sandstone climbs well when dry

Time °C Rain Wind (km/h) Gust Hum

10:00 — dry — — null%

18:00 12° dry 18 — 74.9%

19:00 12° dry 17 — 72.4%

20:00 12° dry 22 — 71.1%

21:00 12° dry 25 — 70.4%

Tue Tuesday 29 September

Poor

Temp17°C

Rain0.3mm

Wind41 km/h

Gusts—

Humidity77%

0.3mm rain forecastDo not climb wet sandstoneWindy — 41 km/h, gusts 0 km/h

Hard sandstone climbs well when dry
Very windy — consider sheltered alternatives

Time °C Rain Wind (km/h) Gust Hum

06:00 12° dry 34 — 83.2%

07:00 13° dry 36 — 81.9%

08:00 14° dry 36 — 79%

09:00 15° dry 40 — 77.7%

10:00 15° dry 38 — 78.4%

11:00 17° dry 39 — 76.3%

12:00 17° dry 43 — 76.1%

13:00 18° dry 43 — 77%

14:00 18° dry 42 — 77.7%

15:00 19° dry 42 — 76.6%

16:00 18° dry 44 — 78.9%

17:00 18° dry 43 — 80.3%

18:00 18° dry 43 — 81.1%

19:00 18° dry 45 — 78.8%

20:00 19° dry 44 — 78%

21:00 19° dry 45 — 78.4%

Wed Wednesday 30 September

Poor

Temp17°C

Rain28mm

Wind36 km/h

Gusts—

Humidity81%

28mm rain forecastDo not climb wet sandstone

Wet sandstone is slippery — let the rock dry before leading
Very windy — consider sheltered alternatives

Time °C Rain Wind (km/h) Gust Hum

06:00 16° 0.2mm 24 — 92.8%

07:00 16° dry 27 — 90.8%

08:00 16° dry 29 — 91.9%

09:00 16° dry 35 — 89.4%

10:00 17° dry 37 — 87.1%

11:00 17° dry 36 — 83.7%

12:00 17° dry 37 — 81%

13:00 17° dry 36 — 78.5%

14:00 17° dry 36 — 78.8%

15:00 17° dry 35 — 80.7%

16:00 16° dry 35 — 80%

17:00 16° dry 36 — 81.8%

18:00 15° dry 35 — 83.7%

19:00 15° dry 34 — 84.2%

20:00 15° 0.2mm 34 — 85.3%

21:00 14° 2mm 34 — 86.1%

Thu Thursday 1 October

Poor

Temp15°C

Rain12mm

Wind19 km/h

Gusts—

Humidity75%

12.2mm rain forecastDo not climb wet sandstone

Wet sandstone is slippery — let the rock dry before leading

Time °C Rain Wind (km/h) Gust Hum

06:00 13° 0.2mm 15 — 86.3%

12:00 15° 0.1mm 19 — 74.6%

18:00 14° 0.2mm 21 — 77.8%

Fri Friday 2 October

Poor

Temp16°C

Rain4mm

Wind30 km/h

Gusts—

Humidity89%

4.4mm rain forecastDo not climb wet sandstone

Wet sandstone is slippery — let the rock dry before leading
Breezy — helps drying

Time °C Rain Wind (km/h) Gust Hum

06:00 15° 2mm 30 — 89.4%

12:00 16° 0.7mm 30 — 88.8%

18:00 15° 0.6mm 34 — 92.8%

Sat Saturday 3 October

Poor

Temp13°C

Raindry

Wind12 km/h

Gusts—

Humidity70%

Only 18h since rain — needs ~50h

Hard sandstone climbs well when dry

Time °C Rain Wind (km/h) Gust Hum

06:00 11° dry 14 — 87.7%

12:00 13° dry 12 — 70.2%

18:00 12° dry 7 — 75.3%

Sun Sunday 4 October

Caution

Temp15°C

Rain0.1mm

Wind21 km/h

Gusts—

Humidity82%

Should be drySandstone may still hold subsurface moisture

Hard sandstone climbs well when dry
Breezy — helps drying

Time °C Rain Wind (km/h) Gust Hum

06:00 12° dry 12 — 81.2%

12:00 15° dry 21 — 82.2%

18:00 15° dry 19 — 92.4%

Mon Monday 5 October

Caution

Temp15°C

Rain0.1mm

Wind21 km/h

Gusts—

Humidity92%

Should be drySandstone may still hold subsurface moisture

Hard sandstone climbs well when dry
Breezy — helps drying

Time °C Rain Wind (km/h) Gust Hum

06:00 15° dry 20 — 95.3%

12:00 15° dry 21 — 92.1%

18:00 15° dry 17 — 92.3%

Tidal access
Base completely submerged at high tide — climb strictly 3h either side of low water.

Bird ban (03-01 to 07-31)
RSPB nature reserve bird ban closes entire cliff during spring/summer breeding season.

About St. Bees Head

St. Bees Head is a dramatic coastal red sandstone sea cliff standing prominently on the Cumbrian coastline near Whitehaven. The rock consists of soft, friable Permian red sandstone featuring steep roofs, sandy breaks, and bold sea-scoured walls. Facing west directly onto the Irish Sea, the cliff catches afternoon sun, but sea spray and humidity mean dampness is common. Climbing consists of adventurous traditional sea-cliff climbing, with bold E-grade routes on unusual sandstone formations. Classics like Iron Man offer intense, pumpy climbing on steep hold features. The approach takes twenty to thirty minutes along the coastal RSPB path from St. Bees village. Tidal cutoff is absolute, loose rock is widespread, and total bird ban restrictions prevent summer climbing.

Region: Lake District — West Coast
Rock type: Sandstone
Aspect: west-facing
Altitude: 30m
Exposure: low
Seepage: high