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"The sea, it swells like a sore head, and the night, it is aching"

Walney West Shore Beach

Cumbria, England


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Walney West Shore Beach, located on the northern end of Walney Island in Cumbria, is a long sandy beach backed by an expanse of dunes forming a nature reserve to the north.

Walney Island is an 11-mile long island in the Irish Sea, at the tip of the Furness peninsula, linked to the mainland town of Barrow-in-Furness by the toll-free Jubilee bridge. The island is home to several beaches, including Walney West Shore Beach, which is also known as Earnse Bay or West Shore.

Walney West Shore bathing water is a gently sloping shingle beach with a large expanse of sand exposed at low water. The beach is a popular destination for walkers, sunbathers, and kitesurfers, especially during the summer months. It offers stunning panoramic views of the Irish Sea, the Isle of Man, and the Lake District mountains.

Walney Island has two nature reserves, both administered by the Cumbria Wildlife Trust. The island is home to some interesting plant life, including the pale pink Walney Geranium, a plant unique to the island. The beach and surrounding habitats support a diverse range of flora and fauna, making it a great spot for nature enthusiasts. The area is home to various wildlife, including migratory birds and seals.

At the south-east end of the island lies Piel Island, on which can be seen the ruins of a 14th-century castle. Piel Island is of historical interest because it was the place where Lambert Simnel, a 10-year-old “pretender” to King Henry VII’s throne, landed in 1487. The beach is accessible via Jubilee Bridge, linking it to Barrow on the mainland, and regular bus services connect Earnse Bay to the surrounding areas.

The beach is a Kitesurfing hotspot and home to the North West Kitesurfing surf school, catering to those interested in learning the sport. 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.

The far north of the beach is used by naturists. However, these views have recently been interrupted by the construction of three large offshore wind farms: Barrow Offshore, Ormonde, and Walney. The beach can get very busy during the summer months.

Sand

Weather and tides for Thursday 17 September

Tonight
Chance of rain 49%
Min temperature 14°C
feels like 13°C
Wind 22mph
Tomorrow (Friday)
Chance of rain 99%
Max temperature 17°C
feels like 15°C
Wind 29mph
Max UV Index

The tide at Walney West Shore Beach is currently falling. Low tide will be at approximately 10:26 PM, and the next high tide will be at approximately 4:07 AM tomorrow.

Today's air pollution levels are forecast to be Low

Detailed weather and tides »

Other beaches nearby

Location: North Scale,

Location type: Town

OS Grid: SD169704

Coordinates: 54°7'22"N 3°16'17"W

Mapcode: GBR 5NLR.HR

What 3 Words: socket.ended.drops

Coordinates and location codes are for an approximate mid-point of the beach, and may not reflect the best access point or the most popular part of the beach.

County: Cumbria

Country: England

Local Authority: Barrow-in-Furness

Nearest postcode: LA14 3XZ

(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.

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

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216.73.217.114 Thu, 17 Sep 2026 18:20:51 +0100