Kim Brough
09 October 2023
The pleasant Cumbrian village of Haverigg is located on the coast at the Duddon Estuary. Lying within easy reach of the southern border of the Lake District National Park, it provides a picturesque backdrop for exploring the historical and natural landmarks of the area. Haverigg's closest town is Millom (1 mile), while the larger Broughton-in-Furness is 8 miles away. Haverigg is popular with birdwatchers and beach lovers. As Haverigg is off-the-beaten-track, it's also a superb choice for those looking to escape the summer crowds.
Haverigg's main attractions include RSPB Hodbarrow (which is home to a lagoon and many different species of birds), a motocross track, an aqua park, and some cutting-edge modern art known as Escape to Light. You can enjoy pubs and cafes in the village too. The nearest of the Lake District National Park's lakes is Coniston Water (20.5 miles), and we'd also recommend Ravenglass with its interesting Roman ruins, dune system, and heritage railway just 15.5 miles up the coast. All-in-all, there is a lot to see and do in and around Haverigg, read on to discover more.
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Things to do in Haverigg
Summer is the perfect time to visit Haverigg, especially to feel the sand between your toes on its extensive beach or paddle at the warm edges of the sea. The beach is quiet and popular with families and offers great views towards the Lake District National Park. There’s a car park set back from the beach, and next to it, you’ll find an adventure playground to keep the kids amused if they tire of the sand! To make the most of your beach visit, remember to check the tide times.
If you’re walking past the lifeboat station to the shore, you can’t fail to notice Escape to Light, a modern seven-tonne sculpture that is dedicated to all inshore rescue teams across the UK.
Haverigg Beach is dog friendly, so it provides a great opportunity for a walk and, afterwards, you can relax with a coffee at the beach café or cool down with an ice cream.
Head east from Haverigg to Millom and you will pass the sea wall, which protects the RSPB reserve at Hodbarrow Lagoon. It’s a great place for a spot of bird watching and there’s a viewing hub about halfway round. Visitors include great crested grebes, mallards, coots, oystercatchers, ringed plovers, wigeons, and shovelers, as well as terns. The Duddon Estuary itself is a haven for sea birds, including little, common, and sandwich terns, who breed there.
A rather more recent addition to the coastline is The Lakes Aqua Park, a floating playground of inflatable slides, bridges, ramps and seesaws. Alternatively, you can try your hand at wakeboarding or paddleboarding, which can be hired at the park.
If you love your entertainment loud and petrol-fuelled, then head over to Haverigg Motocross Track. Run by Cumbria Youth MX Club, the track hosts regular events where you can watch the bikes as they screech around twisty bends and shoot into the air over the jumps!
Things to do near Haverigg
If you’re staying in Haverigg then you have the Lake District National Park on your doorstep, with Coniston Water and Windermere lakes the closest to you. Even closer to hand is the quiet Duddon Valley. This whole area offers beautiful walks – both for beginners and experienced hikers – magnificent views, monuments and stately homes, stunning gardens and parkland.
The lakes offer opportunities for wild swimming and water sports; take a boat trip around Windermere, or hop on and off the regular passenger boats around Coniston, connecting with walking routes or pausing for coffee and cake, and watching the world go by.
Pony trekking is a popular pursuit in the Lake District that lends itself to the ruggedness of the countryside. Cumbrian Heavy Horses in Millom offers rides across fells and fields and through the surf and sand on beautiful Shires and Clydesdales.
The South Lakes Safari Zoo at Lindal-in-Furness allows visitors to get close to the animals that live there, as well as take part in feeding the giraffes, penguins and other animals. You can also try your hand at being a zookeeper for the day!
Get to know Haverigg's history and that of its environs with visits to ancient monuments – the impressive ruins of Furness Abbey date back to the 12th century and lie just across the estuary in Barrow-in-Furness. Less than 2 miles from there, the 14th-century Dalton Castle was part of the abbey, housing the courtroom and the jail.
Barrow-in-Furness is also known for Walney. This lovely island, on the edge of Morecambe Bay, is home to two nature reserves, a colony of seals, castle ruins, a golf course and even – if you know where to look – a nudist beach!
Stone circles are a familiar sight in many parts of the Lake District and the circle at Swinside, 7 miles from Haverigg, is one of the most important examples in Cumbria. It dates back to the Neolithic period and its 55 stones are set in a circle with a 27.5-metre diameter.
Local history lovers should also visit Millom Heritage and Arts Centre, which charts the development and eventual decline of iron and steel-making in the area, with exhibits including a reconstructed miner’s cottage, displays of mining equipment and old photographs.
Places to eat and drink in Haverigg
Despite its small size, Haverigg has several bars and cafés. Pubs include the Rising Sun, which is dog friendly and has a beer garden, and the Ski Bar, located near the sea wall, which serves real ales, cocktails, craft gin and a range of food.
There’s a larger selection of eateries down the road in Millom, including Da Vinci on Market Square and The Punch Bowl Inn. Pam’s Café in Kirkby-in-Furness does a great range of homemade cakes, while the 16th-century Old Kings Head in Broughton-in-Furness has a gastro pub-type menu.
You can’t go to the seaside and not eat fish and chips – luckily, Haverigg has a fish and chip shop not far from the beach so you can indulge in a chip supper!
Shopping in Haverigg
The village has a couple of small food shops where you can pick up some staples if you’re staying at one of our self-catering cottages. There is also a wonderful farm shop at Brookfield Farm, which sells fruit and veg on an honesty box-type system, as well as a number of local Cumbrian delicacies.
Nearby, the towns of Millom and Barrow-in-Furness are home to a large number of shops, with a good mix of popular high-street brands and smaller independents.
Self-catering cottages near Haverigg
Haverigg and the surrounding area have lots to offer visitors. After a long day sightseeing, picnicking on the beach, getting to know the local history or fell walking, why not come home to a cosy holiday cottage? Kick off your shoes and reflect on a day well-lived in the comfort of our self-catering cottages.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.