Lunderston Bay facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lunderston Bay
Beach at the north end of the bay
OS grid reference	NS 2021 7400
Council area	Inverclyde
Country	Scotland
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
EU Parliament	Scotland
List of places UK Scotland

Lunderston Bay is a lovely spot on the east coast of the Firth of Clyde in Inverclyde, Scotland. It's located near the A770 road, about halfway between the towns of Gourock and Inverkip.

The bay stretches for about 1 mile (1.6 km) from north to south. When the tide is low, you can see lots of rocks and shingle at the south end. The sandy beach at the north end doesn't change as much with the tide. A small stream called the Lunderston Burn flows into the Firth of Clyde at the north end of the bay.

Fun at Lunderston Bay

Lunderston Bay is a popular place for families and friends to visit. It has a sandy beach where you can relax and play. There are also picnic areas, perfect for enjoying a meal outdoors. Kids will love the playground, which is even accessible for wheelchairs.

Beach Facilities

At the north end of the bay, you'll find a ranger station for the Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park. This area is part of the park, which helps protect nature. There are also clean toilets and a car park for visitors. Lunderston Bay is a special "bathing water" area, meaning the water is usually clean and safe for swimming during the summer. You'll see lifebuoys ready for emergencies, but remember, there are no lifeguards on duty.

In 2019, the roads leading to the bay's car park were made better. They added special bus stops and islands to help people cross the road safely. You can find bus times on the Traveline Scotland web site.

Exploring the Coastal Path

A great path runs right through Lunderston Bay. This path is part of the National Cycle Network, which is a system of routes for bikes and walkers across the country.

Route 753 Details

The path here is called Route 753. It starts in Gourock and goes south through Lunderston Bay. It continues past the Ardgowan Estate and goes all the way to Kip Marina and Inverkip. Eventually, this path will connect to another part of Route 753 that runs from Seamill to Ardrossan. The path follows the coastline, offering great views. It's a favorite spot for walkers, joggers, cyclists, and people walking their dogs all year round.

This coastal path is also part of the Inverclyde Core Paths network. It's also included in the Clyde Coastal Path (CCP), which is part of the Firth o Clyde Rotary Trail (FoCRT). This longer trail is even part of the International Appalachian Trail Scotland! The Rotary Club of Gourock helps look after the CCP south of the Erskine Bridge, making sure there are signs to guide you.

Amazing Wildlife

Lunderston Bay is a fantastic place to spot different kinds of animals, especially birds.

Birds and Sea Creatures

You might see gannets diving into the water for fish. These large birds fly all the way from Ailsa Craig, an island about 47 miles (76 km) away! Depending on the time of year, you could also spot Canada geese. Look for curlews and oyster catchers searching for worms and shellfish along the water's edge. In winter, many different water birds like grebes and divers come to the shoreline. If you visit the quieter south end of the bay, you might even see grey seals, redshanks, cormorants, eiders, and herons.

• Lunderston Bay Wildlife Gallery
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  Eiders at Lunderston Bay

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  Mallard and Herring Gull at Lunderston Bay

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  Seals at the south end of Lunderston Bay

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  Seals at the south end of Lunderston Bay

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  Cormorant at Lunderston Bay

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  Curlew at Lunderston Bay

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  Oyster catchers at Lunderston Bay

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  Canada Geese in a field at Lunderston Bay

Cardwell Garden Centre

Across the A770 Cloch Road from the ranger station, you'll find the Cardwell Garden Centre. This is one of the largest garden centers in the UK! It covers over 19 acres and has a huge shop and a big restaurant. The garden center has its own car park and toilets, separate from those at the bay.

Lunderston Bay Photo Gallery

• Lunderston Bay Photo Gallery
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  The coastal path before it was improved to a cycle path

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  The coastal path after if was improved to a cycle path

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  Beach and picnic area at the north end of the bay

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  View south down the Clyde

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  Lunderston Burn

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  The south end of the bay

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  The south end of the bay, viewed from Lunderston Hill

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  Accessible playground at the bay

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  National Cycle Route 753 at the north end of the bay

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  National Cycle Route 753 at the north end of the bay

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  National Cycle Route 753 at the south end of the bay

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  The point at the south end of the bay

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  Lunderston Bay toilets

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  The north end of Lunderston Bay, viewed from Inverkip

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  Cardwell Garden Centre

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  Cardwell Garden Centre car park