Lake District Beaches: Bardsea Beach Walk

We love Bardsea Beach! We have visited in all weathers, from blazing hot sunshine to hail. This one is a little different from the usual Lake District walks, and we like it for that reason. Sometimes it’s nice to have a change! Here’s what you need to know.

Lake District Beaches

Are there really beaches in the Lake District?

Yes!

There are plenty of miles of coastline in the Lake District. Some parts are in the Lake District National Park, and some are outside of the National Park boundary, but they’re all part of the area known as the Lake District.

The beaches are one of the Lake District’s best kept secrets. They are often quiet, and their west coast location means they offer the best sunsets (when the sun does actually shine). And, having a beach on the fringe of the Lake District means with some walks you often get a mountain view as well as being by the sea (not this one though, sorry!).

Where is Bardsea Beach?

Bardsea Beach is right next to Ulverston, in the south-west corner of the Lake District.

Parking for Bardsea Beach

There is plenty of free parking just off the Coast Road as you come round the bend from Ulverston, towards the south end of Bardsea Beach.

Bardsea Beach Walk

There are other walks you can do at Bardsea – you can head south from the car park or you can go further then we do, but we find this one just perfect with children.

The walk can be split into two sections – Bardsea Beach to the Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Centre, and the return walk.

At the Meditation Centre, you’ll find the World Peace Cafe, which has seating inside and outside, and is dog friendly. This is the perfect stop for a coffee and a drink for the kids, or even lunch if you time it right.

We feel really lucky to have the Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Centre here in the Lake District. It’s an International Centre for Modern Kadampa Buddhism and attracts people from all over the world, and yet it’s open for anyone to pop in for a coffee or a temple visit.

1. From Bardsea Beach parking area, head north along the path next to the beach. The sea will be on your right and you will be higher than the level of the beach, with a sea wall next to you.

Follow this path as it takes you over a small hill, with a hedge on your right. It will lead back down and you’ll come to a car park. Cross this car park to where the path continues.

2. From here, just follow the path as it continues along next to the beach.

There will be sections that you seem to lose the path a bit, but it is always really obvious where you can walk. There are also some some areas where the path has broken down, and you’ll need to step across some rocks. This is great fun!

There are plenty of opportunities along this stretch for play, along the beach and the rocks. The tide does come very close to the path, so if you’re keen for a bit of beach action try to time your walk with a lower tide. Tide times can be found here.

3. You will come to a part of the path with some woods on your left. Along here there are a few entrances to the woods, with signs from the Meditation Centre asking that dogs be kept under control.

Any of these entrances will take you along a path that leads to the Meditation Centre. However most straightforward way is to keep going along the beach path until it comes to a slightly more obvious entrance to the woods. You’ll see the path opens up a bit and there is a gate.

Go into the woods here, and just follow the path as it takes you inland. Look out for the squirrels!

4. The path will lead you up a little hill, this leads to the Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Centre where you’ll find the World Peace Cafe. The perfect place for a little stop! There is also a lovely shop right next to the cafe which is well worth a look.

While you’re at the Meditiation Centre, it’s lovely to have a little wander round to the Kadampa Temple for World Peace. The outside is beautiful to look at, and you’re welcome to visit on any day from 11am – 5pm.

Note that the 15 minute guided meditations happen at 12:30 and 2pm daily.

5. Once you’ve had your fill of everything the Meditation Centre has to offer, the return leg of the walk takes you back the way you came.

So, it’s back through the woods, turning right onto the beach path. Then follow this path as it takes you along the beach, cross the car park, go over the hill, and back to where you started at Bardsea Beach.

This is one of our absolute favourite walks, we hope you enjoyed it too!

You might also like to read:

The Sir John Barrow Monument Walk for a different walk in the area

Gummers How Walk, for a popular family walk nearby

31 Free Things to do in the Lake District for lots of inspiration.