If you’re looking for unique things to do near Longlands Holiday Park that combine nature, wildlife, and a dose of adventure, a visit to the Duddon Estuary should be high on your list. This hidden gem on Cumbria’s coast is not only a haven for birdlife and saltmarsh plants – it’s also home to one of the UK’s rarest amphibians: the natterjack toad.
What is a Natterjack Toad?
Unlike its common cousins, the natterjack toad (Epidalea calamita) is small, speedy, and unmistakable thanks to its distinctive yellow dorsal stripe and loud, rasping call that echoes across the dunes on warm spring nights. It’s Britain’s rarest toad, found in only a few coastal habitats – and the Duddon Estuary is one of its most important strongholds.
Protected under UK and European law, natterjacks are a conservation success story in this part of Cumbria, where efforts by Natural England, local landowners, and environmental organisations have helped this charismatic species bounce back in recent decades.
Why the Duddon Estuary?
Located between Barrow-in-Furness and Millom, the Duddon Estuary is a landscape of wild beauty – with sweeping sands, saltmarshes, and dunes that provide the perfect breeding grounds for natterjacks. These amphibians favour shallow, warm pools for spawning, and the dunes offer ideal sandy terrain for burrowing and sheltering during dry spells.
The estuary is also a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC), meaning it’s a hotspot for biodiversity and an essential area for preserving rare UK wildlife.
When and Where to Spot Them
April to June is the best time to experience the natterjack toads in action. Visit on a warm evening and you may be lucky enough to hear the males calling in chorus from breeding ponds — a surreal and unforgettable sound. While they’re elusive and well-camouflaged, their presence is part of what makes the Duddon Estuary such a fascinating place to explore.
Keep your eyes (and ears) open around the dune systems of Sandscale Haws (managed by the National Trust) and North Walney, both great locations for wildlife walks and nature photography.
A Unique Wildlife Experience in Cumbria
Exploring the natterjack toads’ habitat is more than just a wildlife encounter — it’s a chance to step into one of Cumbria’s most underrated landscapes. Far from the crowds of the central Lakes, the Duddon Estuary offers space, silence, and the chance to truly connect with nature.
Whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast, a keen photographer, or simply looking for new things to do in Cumbria, a walk through the estuary’s wild dunes and marshes offers something truly special.
Responsible Wildlife Watching
Please remember, natterjack toads are a protected species. If you’re lucky enough to spot one, admire it from a distance, stay on footpaths, and avoid disturbing breeding ponds or dune systems. Nature thrives when we respect it!
Visiting the Duddon Estuary?
From rare amphibians to wild coastal walks, Cumbria has so much more to offer than just mountains and lakes. Explore the hidden corners like the Duddon Estuary, and you might just hear the call of a natterjack toad…
If you’re going to be in the area why not call us to arrange a tour of our Holiday Park, just 15 minutes from Sandscale Haws and a place very much at one with Cumbria’s wildlife!
Photo credit: Frank Vassen. Licence link here.
