Hodbarrow Nature Reserve

Hodbarrow is a nature reserve on the Cumbrian coast comprising lagoons, marshes, and sand dunes along the Duddon Estuary. These habitats developed from former mining land and now support diverse bird populations throughout the seasons.

The site was the location of intensive iron ore mining from 1850 until 1960, when extraction ceased. The RSPB took management responsibility in 1986 and established protective measures that enabled the area to develop into a wildlife refuge.

The reserve is a place where visitors watch wading birds and waterfowl that feed and nest in its open waters and reed beds. The landscape shows how nature reclaims human-altered land and becomes valuable habitat for bird communities.

Access to the reserve is via a parking area on the Millom side, with marked walking paths leading to a bird observation hide. The best time to visit is during migration periods in spring and autumn when diverse species move through the area.

The lagoon formed from subsidence caused by former mining activity and is protected by a seawall constructed in 1905 that continues to function today. This overlooked engineering work reflects how the site's industrial past still shapes its present form.

Location: Cumbria

Website: http://rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/h/hodbarrow

GPS coordinates: 54.19980,-3.26510

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:04