The walk was created in 1972 by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Wainwright Alfred Wainwright], when in response to the creation of the Pennine Way he set about devising the best walk he could imagine in England. It has never been adopted as an official National Trail, though a campaign has begun, but is hugely popular and came second (after the Milford Track) in a recent poll among travel writers conducted by Country Walking magazine to find the finest walk in the world.
Along its route the walk passes through three National Parks - The Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales, and the North York Moors. The creator suggested walking from West to East in order to enjoy the best possible views, and to have any prevailing weather at your back rather than in your face.
The original guide book was written in Wainwright's characteristic style of hand-written text and hand-drawn maps, in the same manner as his seminal [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pictorial_Guide_to_the_Lakeland_Fells Pictorial Guides to the Lakeland Fells].
Walkers may split the walk in various ways to suit the distance they want to walk in a day, though the availability of accommodation may limit this. The author suggested breaking the walk into twelve days, which makes about 16 miles a day. Some may find this a little too much for comfort and choose to have the odd rest day or a couple of short days.
'''Train'''
St Bees has a station on the Cumbrian Coast rail line. From the West Coast Main Line change at Carlisle or Lancaster.
'''Car'''
Leave the M6 at junction 40 (Penrith) and head west along the A66 to Cockermouth, then south along the A5086 to Egremont. St Bees is a couple of miles to the west and will be signposted.
Your options are Bed & Breakfast (with occasional Youth Hostel options) or camping. Some accommodation guides for the walk have been produced over the years.