South Walney Nature Reserve — Attraction in England

Tip: To get a better perspective on how the land lies at the Reserve click on the Google map 'Satellite' view icon. The satellite view shows that there is a huge area of land between the island and the mainland which becomes a tidal flood plane.

Cross the bridge from Barrow in Furness (no fees) and turn left at traffic lights as you enter onto Walney Island. Follow the road for 6 miles to a car park at the Reserve (Entry fee £3 adult, £1 child). One of the Wardens, a young lady, was extremely helpful and informative. There are a few blue coloured cabins (inc toilets) at the site. The young lady kindly showed me a large TV screen in one of the huts, displaying a LiveCam view of seals and their pups on a beach at the Reserve. Public access to the colony area is barred for obvious reasons but seals can still be seen near to the island at High Tide. I went a bit late in the day when the light was failing. I heard a few bird calls but couldn't see them, plus the tide was out. However, there is a large herd of very cute Free Range beef cattle that wander willy nilly, either munching grass or drinking water from puddles in the track around the Reserve. There is also a series of lakes at the Reserve, about 500yds in total, used by an Oyster Farm. The Reserve is a great place to get away to, where only the 'white noise' of the wind disturbs the peace. Will definitely revisit, but earlier in the...

This is a place you're either going to love or hate, there is no inbetween. As you can see by my star rating I love it. But it isn't for everyone. If you're expecting the Lake District by the sea, forget it. Walney Island is low level, comprised of Western beaches, Eastern salt marshes and mudflats, and unremarkable interior fields. Moreover, there is nothing chocolate box about the views. The open sea is home to one of the biggest wind farms in Europe whilst inland is the skyline of Barrow in Furness, which gives a whole new meaning to the word mundane. Furthermore, in terms of facilities Leighton Moss, it ain't. The warden said I could use the kettle to make brews. Yet I love this place, I really do. I wouldn't change anything about it. Of all the nature reserves I've ever visited, this one has the most genuinely isolated outpost feel of the lot. Which of course means it teems with wildlife. Especially impressive, is the Groyne Hide from which I've viewed Cumbria's only grey seal colony earlier this winter. Many seals I watched on the beach, including white pups. Bird life is profuse as well, the gravel pools are home to waterfowl including wigeon and scaup. The beaches the domain of the oystercatcher. Finally, there's an extensive warren in the dunes that would be the envy of Richard Adams. Humanity's touch is very light. I love it. James Eccles, Lancaster Guardian Nature...

Brilliant from the start. We took a fantastic coastal drive to get here with all sorts to see on the way from cows and sheep in the road to a rather chunky alpaca. When you arrive the carpark is ample and spacious and so clean! There is a centre which was close when we arrived. Theres toilet at the side which were appreciated on our arrival. There are 3 different paths which are coloured with difference of distance and we chose the Red one. Tgeres different hides along the way with lots of information on what to look out for. There are many information boards at certain points of interest and theres no getting lost as the paths are significantly posted all along the route. The team there clearly work hard as it was immaculately clean and well signed all along. We didn't see any seals or dolphins and it didn't matter as there were lots of Oyster Catchers and interesting bugs and plant life along the way. At the end there were some very curious cows in the road. Had a...