Camping in Haverigg

Haverigg's stretch of the Cumbrian coast is well suited to camping, with the flat, dune-backed ground around the village giving way to the wider Duddon Estuary and the RSPB reserve at Hodbarrow. As in the rest of England, wild camping is not legal here without the express permission of the landowner, so pitch at a recognised campsite or caravan park rather than on the beach, dunes or reserve, all of which are managed for wildlife and public access.

Port Haverigg Holiday Park sits right by the wake park and beach, making it a practical option for families combining watersports with a few days by the sea, and there are further caravan and camping sites around Millom and along the coast towards Silecroft, all within easy reach of Haverigg itself. The terrain here is low-lying and exposed to the Irish Sea, so a wind-resistant tent and good waterproofing are worth having whatever the season — this coast can turn quickly even in summer.

Late spring through to early autumn is the most comfortable window for camping, when the reserve at Hodbarrow is busiest with nesting terns and waders and the beach is at its best for a swim or a long walk along the old sea wall. Winter camping is possible for the hardier visitor, rewarded with wintering wildfowl on the lagoon and a properly bleak, empty coastline, but conditions can be harsh given the site's exposure to west coast weather.

For those who prefer fixed accommodation without giving up the outdoor feel, a small but growing number of glamping options — shepherd's huts and static caravans among them — are available around Millom and the wider Furness peninsula, offering a comfortable alternative to a tent while keeping the same easy access to the beach and reserve.