Allonby Bay © Cumbria Wildlife Trust
Allonby Bay: home to a hidden world of marine life
Allonby Bay is designated the only Highly Protected Marine Area on England’s coast
Allonby Bay is home to a hidden world of unusual and varied marine life, including many different species of sponge, soft coral, sea squirt, anemone and reef-building honeycomb worms.
In 2023 it was one of just three sites across the country to be given the gold standard of protection by the Government which designated it England’s first inshore
The sea at Allonby Bay hides a world of marine life that lives on the muddy ocean floor all the way up to just beneath the waves. It's home to weird and wonderful life like sea squirts, anemones, soft coral, reef-building honeycomb worms, cuttlefish, plaice, skate, thornback rays and different species of sponge. It’s also a potential pupping area for harbour porpoises.
Allonby Bay supports birdlife too, including waders like curlew and oystercatcher, and seabirds such as guillemots and gannets.
Upcoming events
If there are any upcoming events we'll show them to you below.
Beach Clean at South Allonby Beach
If Beach Clean Bingo were a thing, you could win it hands-down with a glove, a shoe, a wet wipe and a poo-bag. No prizes here - but a…
Cumbria Wildlife Trust awarded grant by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to help protect Allonby Bay’s wildlife
£250,000 award will fund work with communities around England’s first inshore Highly Protected Marine Area
Beach Clean at North Allonby Beach
Sadly, campfire debris is common on this beach in sunny weather. No point getting annoyed - we'll deal with it at this regular…
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Highly Protected Marine Area?
The Allonby Bay HPMA covers the area from Allonby to Bank End Farm (roughly three miles) and extends approximately three and a half miles out to sea.
Can I walk my dog on the beach?
The beach is open to recreation such as walking and includes dog walking. From 1 March to 31 July birds will be nesting in the shingle and are easily scared off their nests. Eggs can be very difficult to spot because of their camouflage patterns.
We request during this time that dogs are kept on a short lead to protect nesting birds and people should not walk in the shingle areas. Please pick-up dog poo.
Can my boat pass through the Highly Protected Marine Area?
Yes, boats can pass through the Highly Protected Marine Area. However, anchoring a boat is damaging to the seabed and should be done outside of the boundary. We're awaiting the passing of an anchoring by-law which will make it illegal to anchor within the Highly Projected Marine Area.
Can I fish in the Highly Protected Marine Area?
You shouldn't fish in the boundary of a Highly Protected Marine Area. However, the passing of a law to make this illegal has not yet been passed although it is being looked at as a priority by the Marine Management Organisation.
Why is the large area of honeycomb worm reef by Dubmill Point not within the boundary of the Highly Protected Marine Area?
The large area of honeycomb worm reef (sabellaria) by Dubmill Point is not within the Highly Protected Marine Area. Following consultation by Defra, and taking into account the views of local people and businesses, it was decided to change the boundaries of the proposed Highly Protected Marine Area.
The final boundary excludes the preferred fishing areas of anglers, which includes the large areas of honeycomb worm reef. However, the HPMA does have smaller areas of the reef.
Can I windsurf or do other water sports in the Highly Protected Marine Area?
You can windsurf in the Highly Protected Marine Area but you won’t be able to launch craft from the beach that lies within its boundary.
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