Discovering the nature reserve of Hodbarrow near Millom in Cumbria. A great place for birds lovers. The nature reserve has a nice circular walk passing between the lagoon and the Duddon Estuary with a lighthouse half way. The nature reserve is dog friendly.
Three weeks ago, we decided to go for small road trip to the South of the Lake District. We had in mind to drive along the A595 to Kendal. However, on our way there we missed the junction to go towards Broughton-in-furness and went straight towards Millom. So instead of turning back we decided to continue towards Millom and see what Millom had to offer. It is by driving through Millom that we saw a road sign indicating the nature reserve of Hodbarrow. As we are curious we decided to follow that sign.
Once at the car park, we saw that this nature reserve had a nice circular walk passing between the lagoon and the Duddon Estuary with a lighthouse half way. We also realised that it was a bird nature reserve by the noise coming from the multiple birds nesting in the lagoon. So after putting our boots we went to explore that reserve.
The nature reserve was purchased by the RSPB in 1986 and is located on a previous iron ore mine. The past mining activity is still visible with the presence of the ruins of the old chimneys. A seawall built in 1905 by the company John Aird & Co. protects the lagoon from the sea. The nature reserve is mainly home of little tern, great crested grebe, red-breasted merganser, sandwich tern and sedge warbler birds but we also saw some cormorants sun bathing. Unfortunately my camera was not good enough to capture all those birds.
There is as well a beautiful lighthouse by the Duddon Estuary shore. On the way back we passed by the Wyldcrest Port Haverigg Caravan Park that contains a water ski park. The circular path is very easy to follow. It is pushchair friendly and dogs are allowed. Dogs have to be on lead when close to the nesting area. It is a lovely place and we were so happy that our little detour brought us to that place.
After that walk, we decided to drive to Ulverston. After a lunch at Gilliam’s vegetarian tea room we went explore Ulverston before driving back home.
Find Gilliam’s vegetarian tea room website here.
Hodbarrow Nature Reserve Information:
Final Thoughts
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Have you been to Hodbarrow Nature Reserve? Do you know any good ones in the North of England?
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Our Lake District Escapades 
Ahh what a fortunate detour.
I have been to Hodbarrow though it was in the Winter. I remember seeing a Grebe catch a large 🐟 fish.
Not long ago went for a walk round Dubwath Silver Meadows near Bassenthwaite. It’s just across from the old railway station with the replica steam train that featured in the recentish Murder on the Orient Express film. Anyway it’s only a small reserve with a nice walk round and some interesting examples of eco friendly naturally made huts. x
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Yes sometimes it is nice to not follow the original plan 🙂.
I was supposed to go to Dubwath with a friend a couple of months ago but the weather was terrible so we cancelled and I forgot about that nature reserve.
I also need to try the train. A lot of my friends went but we still have not managed to go.
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Ah I think you will love the train and the nature reserve. Both dog friendly too, though probably best to keep Skye on a lead in the reserve.
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Thank you for these recommendations ☺️
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C’est très joli, le hasard fait bien les choses parfois 🙂
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THank you for these amazing pictures
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You are welcome.
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I don’t know this place at all – it looks worth a visit, even if accidentally! I’m glad you commented on my last post because I now realise I had “lost” your blog from my feed, probably because the url changed. So now added back in!
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It is definitely worth spending 2h visiting it.
Great if you can see my posts again 🙂.
I am still working on improving the blog.
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It’s a long time since I’ve been to either Hodbarrow or Milnthorpe. I believe that there are some good spots for butterflies around there too, so I’m probably due to go back. Nature Reserves – well Foulshaw Moss springs immediately to mind. And the others in the same vicinity: Meathop Moss, Latterbarrow, Hay Bridge. The Hervery Memorial Reserve on Whitbarrow. Lots near home: Leighton Moss, Warton Crag, Holme Fell, Arnside Knott, Eaves Wood. Also Smardale up towards Kirkby Stephen is one I would really like to go back to.
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Thank you for all these recommendations. I shall go and explore them.
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