The Lighthouse Hide is a stunning, unique property surrounded by wildlife and situated at the southern tip of Cumbria in the heart of the South Walney Nature Reserve. Sleeping two people in one en-suite bedroom it's an ideal spot for couples to get away and immerse themselves in nature.
Nestled at the bottom of the lighthouse tower, The Hide is surrounded by the dunes of the nature reserve, bounded by the sea. The nature reserve is windswept and rugged, home to a wonderful diversity of bird species making The Hide popular with bird-watchers and wildlife enthusiasts. Grey seals can also be spotted swimming in the sea at high tide! The sunrises and sunsets are simply stunning.
The cottage is furnished to a high standard with a contemporary feel with many thoughtful touches which guests will love.
Set all on the ground floor, guests step in to the large open-plan kitchen/living area which has a double aspect and is flooded with light whatever the time of day. This leads off to the bedroom which has a king-sized bed and luxury en-suite with walk-in shower.
Binoculars and bird watching guidebooks can provide hours of entertainment with guests able to spot eider ducks, willow warbler and sandwich terns in the Spring or nesting gulls, eiders, oystercatchers ringed plovers and sandwich terns in the summer. In the cooler Autumn and Winter months, guests can spot the waders and wildfowl.
The fully-fitted kitchen has all the amenities and equipment to cook up a feast during the self-catered stay including a coffee machine and an integrated dishwasher.
Outside, there is ample off-road parking and there are plenty of trails to explore across the dunes. Lighthouse Cottage can be found next door and is let separately - both can be booked together to sleep 8.
Please note this is a nature reserve and there are restrictions on where you can wander and there is no access to the beach at this south tip of Walney Island.The reserve is a Nature Reserve run by the Cumbria Wildlife Trust and it is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and there are strict rules to follow regarding where you can access. No dogs are allowed at the property or anywhere on the reserve, even on a lead. No fireworks and no drones are permitted.
The nature reserve is closely monitored by a warden and car registration details need to be provided ahead of your stay so that access to the lane leading to the property can be granted.
The Lighthouse Hide is accessed via a long bumpy track through the island.
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Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
About the area
Barrow-in-Furness
Located in Barrow-in-Furness, this cottage is in a rural area and by the ocean. South Walney Nature Reserve and Bardsea Country Park reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include The Dock Museum and Park Vale Leisure Centre. Park Leisure Centre and Dalton Leisure Centre are also worth visiting.
How much does it cost to stay at The Lighthouse Hide?
As of 14 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The Lighthouse Hide on 29 May 2026 start from NZ$550, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at The Lighthouse Hide?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at The Lighthouse Hide?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at The Lighthouse Hide?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is The Lighthouse Hide located?
Situated by the ocean, this cottage is steps from South Walney Nature Reserve and within 9 mi (15 km) of The Dock Museum and Park Vale Leisure Centre. Holker Street Stadium and Barrow Park are also within 9 miles (15 km).
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Beautiful location, amazing walks and comfy, cosy accommodation
Beautiful location. V cleverly arranged to make most of space. Comfy bed, great shower. Very relaxing place to be - we enjoyed the jigsaw on a snowy afternoon!
Jane
Response from VrboOwner on 23 January 2026
Thank you for your review following your recent stay. We are delighted to hear that you had a lovely time and we hope to welcome you back again soon.
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Beverley
4 January 2026
This place is amazing for chilling completely.
This place is amazing for chilling completely. we absolutely loved spending New year here. You definitely need a 4x4high clearance car to get there but its worth it.
Beverley
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Gerald
18 October 2025
The Hide Walney Island
Beautiful location surrounded by nature.
Gerald
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Sarah
13 October 2024
Beautiful cottage in a beautiful place.
Everything was spotless and a great location for a relaxing holiday.
Sarah
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Chris
8 August 2025
Peaceful, idyllic location and an excellent property.
Idyllic location & well equipped property, spacious with great outdoor areas. Perfect for relaxing & bird spotting on the nature reserve all on your doorstep. Excellent value and superb find.
Chris
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Julia
14 October 2025
Lighthouse Hide
well equipped cottage , comfortable, warm and very peaceful
simple microwaves!
Julia
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Tina
23 March 2024
Amazing time!
We had an amazing time on a third visit to the Lighthouse Hide. Stunning location and fantastic accommodation.
Tina
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Beverley
30 October 2023
Peaceful haven for a weekend retreat
The location was amazing, the cottage really well equipped perfect for a back to nature, recharge your batteries, weekend
I truly can’t think of anything it was lovely
Beverley
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Ian
25 August 2024
Relaxing homely space to rest, with the bonus of unique surroundings
Unique, remote and the constant pleasing sound of the waves.
Weather.
Ian
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Mike
25 July 2023
Summer retreat
location, facilities, nice extras
bed not very comfy
Mike
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Zoe
12 July 2022
Tranquility
Well designed for two, beautiful accommodation and an unbeatable location
Zoe
Response from VrboOwner on 21 July 2022
Thank you for taking the time to leave us this review.
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Amy
10 July 2023
The PERFECT stay
Stunning location, incredible little extra touches from the guitar to the iPad with surround sound. We absolutely loved it. So many lovely memories made there. Already looking into booking another trip soon
A lovely property in a lovely location. Great for bird and wildlife watching. We had a fantastic time and are already looking to book again for next year. Need we say more about how much we enjoyed it
Adam C.
Stayed 14 nights in May 2023
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Jeremy
19 October 2023
Lovely hideaway
Gorgeous location. Well designed accommodation.
Nothing that matters.
Jeremy
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Tina
30 October 2023
Love The Hide
This was our second stay and we absolutely love it here. Lovely comfortable accommodation in the most beautiful tranquil spot.
Nothing
What a beautiful place. Quirky, modern, warm, comfy. Fabulous surroundings. In the middle of the south nature reserve on Walney. Weather was fab. Lovely places to walk. Seals and birds everywhere. Would reccomend
Angela L.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2024
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
David
18 October 2022
Excellent Holiday Location
Without doubt one of the best properties and locations to actually be able to relax and unwind. Great opportunities for bird and seal watching on the surrounding nature reserve. The property has all of the facilities needed for a couple to self cater or visit the local hostelries. Highly recommended.
For us there was nothing to improve.
David
Response from VrboOwner on 18 October 2022
Wow, this is so lovely to read! Thank you so much. We are so pleased you enjoyed your stay.
From a partner site
8/10 Good
John
16 October 2023
The Hide Walney
Good accommodation, in fantastic location, but now needs a bit of updating. e.g. new pans/and the garden needs a tidy up.
John
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Julia
19 October 2023
Peace and solitude
It was an absolute brilliant place to relax and unwind. We loved the wind at night.
We found the bed a little low and could possibly do with an upgrade. Although we both slept well on it.
Julia
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Catherine
30 September 2024
Rest and Recuperation
So cozy and really clean. The shower is amazing as is the Sonos sound system. The nature reserve was lovely with plenty of birds and seals on show as well as flowers and butterflies. The weather was perfect and the welcome pack was a lovely touch. The views around the reserve were amazing and a visit to Piel Island is a must. The seals sang us to every night.
Catherine
Response from VrboOwner on 30 September 2024
Hello Catherine,
Thank you for your review. I am glad you had an amazing time. Being so near such beautiful scenery and being able to connect to nature through the gorgeous reserves certainly sounds specially, seeing seals and butterflies really adds to the picturesque stay. I am glad you appreciated the welcome pack and the sound system. I hope you will stay again with us in the future.
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Clive
5 October 2024
Lovely quiet retreat, ideal for nature watching.
Fantastic remote location on a coastal nature reserve, very quiet and peaceful. Just a few minutes walk from several wildlife hides . Pleasant, flat walks around the reserve. Ideal to watch seals and an abundance of bird life. The property is very well set up and has good facilities and the hosts were very friendly and helpful. Advisable to bring plenty of provisions due to location (several miles from nearest shop, and long bumpy track on the reserve itself). Will definitely go back.
Beautiful hide, amazing views, lots of wildlife. If you like the peace and quiet, this is for you. Facilities are great, just remember to take your food with you as popping out is not a short job! We loved it. So peaceful. A wonderful way to relax.
Amy B.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Andrew
5 December 2022
A great 3 day break.
The Lighthouse Hide is well equipped, warm and comfortable. It's a unique location and a great place to relax for a short break.
As we like bird watching being within the Nature Reserve was ideal for us - lots of ducks and waders at this time of year. The seals hauled up on the beach and in the sea were an added bonus. We were lucky with the weather.
Nothing comes to mind.
Andrew
Response from VrboOwner on 6 December 2022
Hi Andrew, thank you for taking the time to leave us this review. SO amazing you got to see some seals!
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Debra
19 October 2023
Peace and tranquillity
We stayed in the lighthouse hide - A beautiful little hide away for my hubbys 60th birthday. He’s a keen bird photographer who also loves lighthouses. The weather wasn’t too kind, it’s definitely wet, windy, Walney! Unfortunately the best of the hides was closed, (apparently due to being vandalised). We did manage to see a couple of seals before we left, along with a few birds that braved the weather and came out. We were quite happy being cosy in this lovely little place.
Nothing to improve for the accommodation, it’s lovely! Not sure if it would be allowed, but if there were some logs / bird feeders etc. outside of the lighthouse hide, we might’ve seen some birds from the windows.
Debra
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Les
28 April 2026
The Perfect retreat
This place is the most perfect "escape". We loved the isolation, the vast views and the abundance of bird life. we certainly felt away from it all and it came at a time when we needed it most! The accommodation was comfortable and mostly had all we needed. When not exploring the island we spent most of our time on the perfect patio areas to the east and west of the Hide. The welcome pack in the fridge was a lovely touch. Thankyou.
A dustpan and brush would be useful as would a few tea towels and a dish cloth.
A couple of reclining patio loungers would also add to the luxury of the place.
Les
About the host
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