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Walney Sandy Gap

Cumbria, England


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Walney Sandy Gap, also known as Earnse Bay or West Shore, is a long sandy beach located on Walney Island, off the coast of the Furness peninsula in Cumbria, England.

Walney Island is situated just off the coast of the Furness peninsula and is joined to the mainland at Barrow-in-Furness by the Jubilee Bridge. The beach at Walney Sandy Gap is a wide expanse of sand and shingle, backed by an expanse of dunes forming a nature reserve to the north. The beach is shallow in profile, with a mainly shingle area for about thirty metres towards the sea, which levels and becomes sandy down to the sea.

The beach offers stunning panoramic views of the Irish Sea, the Isle of Man, and the Lake District mountains. However, these views have recently been interrupted by the construction of three large offshore wind farms: Barrow Offshore, Ormonde, and Walney. The beach is a popular destination for walkers, sunbathers, and kitesurfers, especially during the summer months. It is also home to the North West Kitesurfing surf school, catering to those interested in learning the sport.

The nearby North Walney Reserve, administered by the Cumbria Wildlife Trust, is home to many interesting species of plant and wildlife. The dunes, salt marshes, and grasslands support a diverse range of flora and fauna, making it a great spot for nature enthusiasts. The area is also home to various wildlife, including migratory birds and seals.

The beach is adjacent to the Furness Golf Club, which is the sixth oldest golf course in England, and West Shore Park, a residential complex. Regular bus services connect Walney Sandy Gap to the surrounding areas, and it is accessible via Jubilee Bridge, linking it to Barrow on the mainland.

The far north of the beach, north of Earnsie Point, is an area of beach backed by dunes, which is used by naturists. The long walk from the car parking area and dunes offer some degree of privacy.

Sand

Weather and tides for Sunday 20 July

Tonight
Chance of rain 41%
Min temp. 15°C
(feels like 15°C)
Wind 4mph
Tomorrow (Monday)
Chance of rain 38%
Max temp. 20°C
(feels like 18°C)
Wind 9mph
Max UV Index

The tide at Walney Sandy Gap is currently falling. Low tide will be at approximately 2:48 AM tomorrow, and the next high tide will be at approximately 8:45 AM tomorrow.

Today's air pollution levels are forecast to be Low

Approximate sea surface temperature:   17.9°C  

Detailed weather and tides »
  • Facilities

    Food available Toilets
  • Popular Activities

    Sunbathing Walking
  • Features

    Dunes Golf Nature reserve
  • Parking

    Parking available off Biggar Bank Road.

  • Lifeguard

    No lifeguard cover at this beach

  • Water Quality

    Sufficient water quality

    Sufficient water quality

Recommended holiday cottages near Walney Sandy Gap

Things to do and see in the area

The Dock Museum (1.1 miles)
The Forum (1.6 miles)
Barrow-in-Furness Library (1.8 miles)
Earnse Bay (1.9 miles)
Escape Room (1.9 miles)
Little Subs (1.9 miles)
Barrow Park (2.1 miles)
Furness Abbey (3.5 miles)
South Walney Nature Reserve (4.5 miles)
Piel Island (4.6 miles)

All distances are approximate

Other beaches nearby

Location: Tummer Hill, Barrow-in-Furness

Location type: Town

OS Grid: SD175681

County: Cumbria

Country: England

Local Authority: Barrow-in-Furness

Nearest postcode: LA14 3JP

(for sat-nav purposes only, a beach does not have a postal address!)

Important! Beach information is compiled from a variety of different sources and is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of compilation. However, information may be incorrectly supplied by our sources or go out of date after publication. BritishBeaches.uk makes no warranty as to the accuracy of any information on this page.

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Visitor information for Walney Sandy Gap, Cumbria, England. Weather, tides, visitor comments, beach facilities, photos, nearest postcode, beach information and nearby accommodation.

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18.97.14.83 Sun, 20 Jul 2025 20:42:05 +0100