Earnse Bay facts for kids
Earnse Bay, also known as 'West Shore', is a beautiful beach located on the western side of Walney Island in Cumbria, England. It has both sand and small stones (shingle). Earnse Bay, along with Sandy Gap and Biggar Bank, forms a long stretch of coastline about eight miles long.
From the beach, you can see amazing views of the Irish Sea, the Isle of Man, and the Lake District mountains. Recently, some large wind farms have been built offshore. These include the Barrow Offshore, Ormonde, and Walney wind farms. Earnse Bay was once planned to become a big seaside resort, like Morecambe or Blackpool. However, these plans never fully happened. Even so, Earnse Bay is still the most popular beach in Barrow-in-Furness. Many people visit it in summer for walks, sunbathing, and kitesurfing.
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What is Earnse Bay?
Earnse Bay is a long, wide beach on Walney Island. It is a mix of soft sand and small shingle stones. This makes it a great place for different activities. The beach is part of a much longer coastline. This coastline stretches for about eight miles. It connects to other areas like Sandy Gap and Biggar Bank.
Fun Things to Do at Earnse Bay
Earnse Bay is a popular spot for many outdoor activities. It is a great place to spend time with family and friends. You can enjoy the fresh air and beautiful scenery.
Water Sports and Activities
During the warmer months, Earnse Bay is busy with people enjoying the water.
- Kitesurfing: This is a very popular sport here. Kitesurfers use a large kite to pull them across the water on a board. The North West Kitesurfing surf school is located right at the bay. They teach people how to kitesurf safely.
- Sunbathing: On sunny days, many people come to relax on the sand. They enjoy the sunshine and the sound of the waves.
- Walking: The long stretch of beach is perfect for walks. You can walk for miles along the shore. You can also explore the sand dunes behind the beach.
Exploring the Coastline
Earnse Bay offers stunning views.
- Views: Look out across the Irish Sea. On a clear day, you might even see the Isle of Man. To the east, you can see the beautiful Lake District mountains.
- Wind Farms: Offshore, you will notice large wind farms. These are big turbines that create clean energy from the wind. They are an interesting sight on the horizon.
Local Attractions and Facilities
Earnse Bay is home to some important local places.
- Furness Golf Club: This golf course is very old and famous. It is the sixth oldest golf course in all of England. Golfers can enjoy a game with sea views.
- West Shore Park: This is a residential area near the beach. It offers homes for people who want to live close to the coast.
Getting to Earnse Bay
It is easy to reach Earnse Bay.
- By Bus: There are regular bus services that go to and from Earnse Bay. This makes it simple for people to visit without a car.
- By Car: Walney Island is connected to the mainland by the Jubilee Bridge. This bridge links Walney to the Barrow Island area of Barrow. Once on Walney, you can drive to the beach.
History and Future Plans
Long ago, there were big plans for Earnse Bay. People wanted to turn it into a famous seaside resort. They hoped it would be as popular as places like Morecambe and Blackpool. However, these plans never came true. Despite this, Earnse Bay has remained a much-loved local beach. It is still a very popular spot for both locals and visitors.
