Haverigg Beach, Millom

Haverigg beach is found at the mouth of the Duddon Estuary and has views over the Lake District fells. The shingle beach gives way to a vast expanse of sand, heading out towards the Irish sea.  There are large sand dunes, covered in sharp sea-grasses.  The long beach is clean and has, in the past, been awarded Blue Flag status. There are plenty of free parking spaces and a good children’s play area as well as a reasonably-priced café. The beach is a good place to fly a kite and is popular with dog walkers.  There are generally no restrictions on dogs, although they must be kept on a lead around the RSBP Hodbarrow nature reserve. The beach is tidal so is best visited at low tide.  When the tide is out, visitors can walk along the beach to Silecroft, or along the former sea wall towards Millom. The walk along the old sea wall passes the remains of disused iron ore mines, which has been filled with water to create a lagoon in what is now the Hodbarrow RSPB nature reserve. In spring this is home to nesting terns, lapwings and ringed plovers.  At other times of year visitors might spot coots, wild swans, teals and eiders. There are also a restored lighthouse and derelict windmill near the site of the old mine works.