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Home , Aldingham, Dock Museum, Duddon Estuary, Foulney Island, Morecambe Bay, National Cycle Route 70

M o r e c a mb e Bay: nature on your doorstep In and around Barrow-in-

Welcome to Barrow -in-Furness where beaches and ancient woodlands meet industry past and present

Barrow-in-Furness and the surrounding islands lie at the tip of the Furness Peninsula. The coast In this guide and islands are dotted with rich industrial and you will find... military heritage and wonderful wildlife. The · seasonal highlights specially protected sand dune habitats here are · three great days out perfect for rare natterjack toads, claimed to be · How to get around 's noisiest amphibian. Don’t Miss… There’s so much to see and many On a rainy day… hidden corners to explore, but Pop into Barrow Dock Museum to these top 3 highlights are not to find out more about our maritime be missed! history, call 01229 876400, admission is free. Take shelter in 1 Explore secluded beaches one of the hides at and watch grey seals on the nature reserve (one accessible by Isle of Walney wheelchair) open everyday, call 2 Visit Sandscale Haws 01229471066. National Nature Reserve (NNR), spectacular sand dunes Fascinating fact with dramatic panoramas Look out for bee orchids at 3 Follow the footsteps of Sandscale Haws NNR (May – Cistercian monks through June). These orchids mimic a bee natterjack toad ancient woodlands around to encourage bees to pollinate © Dave Talbot the ruins of them.

Seasonal Highlights This area is full of wildlife, with something spectacular and different to see whatever the time of year: Look out for: Spring Regal eider ducks arriving at their most southerly breeding site at South Walney and orchids blooming at Sandscale Haws.

Summer Special flowering plants adapted to sunny and salty seaside habitats, like Walney geranium, which is found nowhere else in the world! grey seal Autumn © Ben Andrew Wonderful colourful displays of deciduous trees like oak, ash and sycamore in Millwood and Abbots Wood.

Winter Grey seals are easy to spot from the comfort of cosy hides on South Walney. M o r e c a mb e Bay: nature on your doorste p B a r r o w - i n - F u r n e s s

Island Hopping 5 There are 11 islands around greater Barrow-in-Furness. Spend a day Bay exploring the coast and see if dalton-in-Furness you can find secluded beaches, Little urswick sand dunes, grey seal haul outs, 8 breeding bird colonies, and our 7 very own King of Piel! j 6 Wildlife Trust’s nature reserves at South Walney and , Natural ’s NNR at and Piel Barrow-in-Furness Island are great places to take 1 a walk on the wildside, explore k nature and experience the i windswept wilderness of the area. • While away a morning on the Isle of Walney at South Walney Nature Reserve. Choose from a 5km or 3km circular Don’t

walk between hides dotted forget your along footpaths. As well as OS map spectacular nature, including l and follow the countryside breeding terns and gulls, 2 code and a colony of grey seals, 3 enjoy fabulous views across . 4 Entry is free for Cumbria Wildlife Trust members. There is a car MAP KEY park and toilets, or you can get 1Barrow Train Station 5Sandscale Haws NR 9Barrow Dock here by bike along the quiet 2Foulney Island 6Furness Abbey Museum j roads. To explore Walney on 3Piel Island 7Abbotswood North Walney NNR k horseback call Seaview Riding 4South Walney NR Nature Reserve Earnse Bay School on 01229 474251. 8Millwood lRoa Island • From Earnse Bay, a popular beach with locals, walk for the ramparts and flocks of knot massive flocks of curlew, 1.5km along the coast to North flying past. The Ship Inn is home knot and oystercatchers Walney NNR. This diverse to the King of Piel (it’s landlord) are mesmerising to see. area of , dunes and the Seldom Seen Visitor THE ISLAND MAY BE CUT and heathland is home to Centre. OFF AT HIGH . Check an amazing array of special For ferry information contact tide times at flowers able to cope with both the Ship Inn on 07516 453784, or www.tidetimes.org.uk hot sunshine and biting winds. John Cleasby on 07798 794550 or The Walney geranium is so 07799 761306. Or join the Barrow perfectly adapted to this area walking festival on one of its that it isn’t found anywhere guided walks across the sands to else in the world! North Walney . is rich in military history with • For those who prefer to stay WWI practice ranges and a on dry land, visit Foulney WWII rifle range. Island nature reserve, which You can get to Earnse Bay by bus is connected to from Barrow town and there is by a causeway which can be parking and toilets here. walked along at low tide. In • No trip around Barrow would summer the 2.5km walk to the be complete without a journey edge of the island is worth it to Piel Island by boat from Roa to see the breeding terns that Island. Here you’ll find the ruins have travelled vast distances of Piel , a fortified grain to nest here. Look out for rare and wool store built around flowering plants in the shingle Piel & wharf

1327. Look out for kestrels on too. In autumn and winter © Susannah Bleakley M o r e c a mb e Bay: nature on your doorste p B a r r o w - i n - F u r n e s s

Spectacular Sand Dunes and around the estuary Along the secluded west coast of the Furness peninsula lies the National Trust’s Sandscale Haws NNR, one of the best places to see rare sand dune flowers in the UK. You’ll find specialities like coralroot orchid, bee orchid, dune helleborine, dune pansy, sea holly and sea bindweed. Spend some time exploring the vast dunes along paths and board walks, relax on the beautiful beach and take in the panoramic views across the to and seek out the myriad sandscale haws dunes of butterflies, moths, birds and flowering plants that abound. © Neil Forbes National Trust • In spring you’ll hear the croaking call of the natterjack toad which breeds in the pools • Follow the signposted paths of water in the spaces between Magical around the 19 acre site. In the dunes (called slacks). Woodlands summer see how many different • In summer the pools dry out Follow the footsteps of Cistercian butterfly species you spot in the and the slacks are filled with Monks at Furness Abbey and flower rich meadows. Extend flowers frequented by clouds head into the wooded valley of your adventure by following of the beautiful common blue Bekansgill just north of the town. paths north to Millwood, an butterfly. An Abbey was founded here in unusual marshy woodland • In winter thousands of waders 1127, and the red sandstone ruins which floods in winter and and wildfowl overwinter really are a sight to behold. At attracts birds like heron and around the reserve, feeding on one point it was the second most lapwing. the molluscs and seafood in the powerful Cistercian monastery rich estuary water, mud and (after Fountains Abbey) in sand. England. Sandscale Haws is best accessed • Take the train to Station by car, follow signs for and walk along the Greenway along Oak Lea Road to the car to Furness Abbey. Explore the park. Abbey, it’s installations and the • There are plenty of chances to ancient woodlands around it. explore the Duddon estuary From the Abbey, Abbots Wood without a car, sit back and is just a short walk up the hill. enjoy the views on a train ride Abbots Wood was formerly the to Foxfield or . Right next grounds of Sir John Ramsden’s to Foxfield station is Natural mansion, a key figure in the England’s Duddon Mosses NNR development of Barrow-in- - home to adders and lizards Furness. The area is covered in and even red and roe deer. Walk woodland - look out for some or cycle from Millom station really big beech, oak and hazel to explore RSPB's Hodbarrow trees. nature reserve. The coastal • On the forest floor you’ll see lagoons are remnants of past wood anemones - a sign that iron ore works and provide this is an ancient woodland. If a haven for grebes and terns you are lucky you might also to breed and the surrounding see (or hear) great spotted dunes are home to natterjack woodpecker drumming toads and bee orchids. overhead. Wild Ransom @ ANOB M o r e c a mb e Bay: nature on your doorste p B a r r o w - i n - F u r n e s s

Getting here We believe that a car free journey is a care free journey. • Arrive by train to the heart of Barrow-in-Furness. Call National Rail Enquiries on 08457484950. • The Walney to Wear (W2W) National Cycle Route 70 starts in Barrow and the flat coastal roads are perfect for cycling. Visit Barrow Tourist Information Point for cycle route leaflets, or visit the website. curlew • The number 6 buses run to © Tony Marshall RSPB , Newby Bridge, Bowness and Windermere, and the X6 runs to Grange- over-Sands and . Staying Longer There is a great choice of Getting Around accommodation in and around The quiet footpaths, greenways Barrow, with camping on Piel and lanes are perfect for Island, and comfortable hotels exploring by boot and bike. and inns in the town. Call Barrow Tourist Information Centre or • Take a compass and a map stone circle visit www.golakes.co.uk. (OS Explorer Map OL6) and © Morecambe Bay Partnership wear appropriate clothing • Visit the Tourist Information

M o r e c a M point or b e b ay : n at u r e o n y o u r In and d o o r Moving on around S t e p Grange M o r e c a -oMverb e www.barrowtourism.co.uk b ay : n- atSands u r e o n y o u r d o o r Look out for other itineraries in this series at Welcome toIn Grange-over-Sands, and gateway to dramatic landscapes around of limestone and rare mosses Grange S t e p These peatbogs are home t - for information about walks red deer all year round over Welcome to Grange-over-Sands, gateway to pavements are a haven for buo the beautiful -Sands www.morecambebaynature.org.uk/discover. , and the limestone As well as greatdramatic wildlife to see,landscapes of limestone and rare mosses and culture to take in too tterflies. These peatbogs are home to the beautifulIn this guide there’s history you will find... red deer all year. round, and the limestone don’t Miss… pavements are a haven for butterflies. · Seasonal highlights • Explore the area by boot There’s so much · How to get around experience, but if wildlife tAs well to as great wildlife to see, there’s history · Where to stay and eat the essence, here andarime is culture of to take in too • Cycle along the coast road to mosses and highlights not to be mi · o e our top 3 ur top three days out 1 Watch red deer all yssed: at Witherslackd Moon’t Miss… In this guide ear round There’s so much wildlife to . on a rainy day… your eyes and ears ssesp – using the ‘Greenways’ from experience, but if time is of Take the train you will find... 2 enjoy breath-ta the essence,eeled here are our top 3 RSPB Reserve into S Leighton· Seasonal Moss highlights from Hampsfell Hking views highlights not to be missed: you can watch ilverdale· where woodlands around the town of Ulverston. don’t forget your caospice - How to get around shelter of a cosy wildlife hi under the 3 Look out for butter1 · Where to stay and eat Watchmera! red deer all year round opening times. Or de, call xxx for woodlands, gras at Witherslackflies among Mosses – keep house like Holker H visit· o a historic and limestone pavemen ur top three days out yourslands, eyes andbogs ears peeled Levens Ha all at Cark or 2 Apr - Oct). ll near Sizergh (open Roose Station to Furness enjoy breath-takingt views Seasonal Highlightsfrom Hampsfell Hospice - on a rainy day… don’t forget your camera! Fascinating fact Around Morecam Take the train to Leighton Moss 3 Before the railwa landscape and wildLookbe Bay, out the for butterflies among RSPB Reserve in Silverdale where • Take the train around the bay to Silverdale constantly changiwoodlands, grasslands, bogs journey around youthisy was canG watchbuilt wildlife under the andlife limestone is pavement difficult. Under th seasons, the weatherng with an the shelterrange of a cosy were hide, call xxx for . Foulshaw Mossopening liese peatt times. bog at Or visit a historic d the r of a Bronze Age ro Abbey, Walney Greenway and ed deer house helike remains Holker Hall at Cark or Seasonal Highlights birch and ash treesLevensad la made Hall near from Sizergh (open Around Morecambe Bay, the side. Apr - Oct). Look out for:landscape and wildlife is id side by constantly changing with the Fascinating fact and explore woodlands and reedbeds. SprI seasons, the weather and the nG Before the railway was built tides. green hairstreak butte journey around this Grange were and a woodland car Westfield Greenway. rfly, early purpl difficult. Under the peat bog at red d Foulshaw Moss lies the remains Su pet of bluebells. e orchid eer MMer Look out for: of a Bronze Age road made from butterflies and drago birch and ash trees laid side by deer, and aSpr flesh side. InG nflies aplenty, young green hairstreak-eating plant butterfly, - the sund early purple orchid autu odonata Mn and a woodland carpet of bluebells. red Large r the spectacular so ew. damselflyed Su MMer und of rutting red de • Remember to check tide times WInter butterflies and dragonflies aplenty, young red graceful birdsdeer, ofand a flesh-eating plant - erthe sundew. prey over the mosse autu M the spectacularn sound of ruttings red deer

W Inter odonata Large r before travelling to Foulney graceful birds of prey over the mosses d amselflyed Island www.tidetimes.org.uk Useful contacts: call or search online • In summer and during the • www.barrowtourism.co.uk Barrow walking festival • www.cyclingw2w.info guides lead cross bay walks • South Walney (Cumbria Wildlife Trust) 01539 from South Walney to Piel Island 816300 • Take a boat trip with Barrow • North Walney (Natural England) 015395 31604 Bay Charters (07747717587) or • Sandscale Haws (National Trust) 01229 462855 Topline II (0787328718) • Furness Abbey (English Heritage) 01229 823420 • You can hire bikes from Cycles 100 Ltd on Ramsden Street, • National Rail Enquiries 08457484950 call 01229 836996 (closed Sun • Dock Museum 01229 876400 and Mon)

This leaflet is brought to you by Morecambe Bay Local Nature Partnership's Nature Improvement Area and Morecambe Bay Partnership's 700 Days to Transform the Bay scheme. It is funded by Defra, DCLG, Natural England, Forestry Commission, Environment Agency, Coastal Communities Fund and RSPB Futurescapes EU Life Comms +. The routes described are for guidance only. Please use an up to date map when exploring this area. It’s a good idea to plan your route in more detail before you set off, and to check the weather forecast and tide tables. Wear appropriate clothing and don’t forget to take food and water. The Partnerships above cannot be held responsible in the unlikely event of injury or accident whilst exploring this area. For more information on the exploring the nature of Morecambe Bay visit www.morecambebaynature.org.uk

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