Humphrey Head

Humphrey Head is a limestone headland at Morecambe Bay that rises with a distinctive whale-back shape from the coastal landscape. The summit offers views toward Lancaster, Heysham, and the Leven estuary, along with the surrounding saltmarsh terrain.

The limestone cliff links to an event in 1390 when the last wolf in England was killed here following a chase from the Coniston area. This episode marks a pivotal moment in the region's environmental history.

The reserve carries the name Joy Ketchen Memorial Reserve in honor of the first conservation officer with the Cumbria Wildlife Trust. Local visitors and naturalists have long valued this headland for its views and ecological importance.

A walking trail leads to the highest point of the reserve and covers roughly 2 kilometers. The path winds through saltmarsh terrain and accessibility can vary depending on tide levels and water channels in the area.

A spring beneath the headland once drew miners from Durham specifically to collect its water. Today only a lead pipe and a trickle of water remain as a reminder of this historical resource.

GPS coordinates: 54.15700,-2.93300

Latest update: December 11, 2025 18:03