Discover Sandscale Haws & Roanhead Beach

Sandscale Haws is a national treasure. In fact it has been named a National Nature Reserve with some of the best wildlife of its kind across the country. Whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast or not, enjoy its wildness and beauty. Experience its windswept beaches and calling wading birds in the winter to croaking natterjack toads in the spring. Or simply sit in the summer sun and enjoy the sand dunes and the wonderful views across the Duddon estuary. 

A Haven for Flora & Fauna, which goes some way to making Barrow in Furness No.1 for its Natural Assets in England

Hidden amongst the dunes or in the grassland areas there are a wealth of flowers and plants. The flowering year starts in March with the arrival of spring’s first flowers like the Colt’s-foot plant which has been given its name because of its large hoof-shaped leaves. The new season slowly bursts into life and other flowers follow such at the dune pansy which loves bare soil or short grassland. It looks like a tiny version of the pansy you would grow in your garden and is a real treat to come across when you wander through the dunes.

“Outstanding dune habitat supporting a wealth of wildlife and with magnificent views across the Duddon Estuary onto the Lakeland Fells.”

In spring there is a lot of chatter from birds in the dune grassland at Sandscale Haws. Ground-nesting birds like skylark and meadow pipit are setting up home and you can listen out for the high-pitched notes of the skylark as it flutters high in the air.

Sandscale Haws’ wetlands are perfect habitats for amphibians. Six out of the seven UK amphibians live here, including the rare natterjack toad which can put on a noisy display in the spring.

Natterjacks are Europe’s noisiest amphibian and breed in around 20 of the 40 natural and man-made pools at Sandscale. You can hear their loud croak up to 2 miles away on quiet spring nights when the males all sing together to attract females.

They have developed to breed in warmer water and temporary pools which often dry out in the summer so it’s a race against time for their spawn to hatch and for the tadpoles to become adults.

Sandscale is home to one of the largest natterjack toad populations in the UK. Their numbers have dropped in the last 50 years as coastal habitats have been lost and they are now a protected species.

A place for Family Fun

Roanhead Beach provides a picturesque sandy expanse located around 3 miles north of Barrow-in-Furness. The beach is very popular with locals and visitors who want to soak up the summer sun on the wide sandy beach or enjoy some beach time activities. From the beach there are great views of the beautiful Duddon Estuary and the Lake Fells beyond.

The beach has a pay and disply car park and the Red Hut which serves drinks and refreshments during the peak season. 

The big tidal range of Roan Head beach exposes huge sandy flats but also causes strong currents making it unsuitable for swimming.