Earnse Bay, The Bay Project
Connecting people and nature at Earnse Bay in Barrow
What is The Earnse Project?
The Earnse Project aims to provide a platform for everyone to explore the wonders of nature on their doorstep.
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The Earnse Project is dedicated to connecting people with nature at Earnse Bay in Barrow, Cumbria.
By hosting and promoting recreational activities, including art-based workshops, it's hoped that the local community can celebrate and connect with their local habitat around Earnse Bay, and with the creatures that have made this stretch of coastline their home.
Shoreline rocks at Earnse Bay with Black Combe hill in background @ Sally Schofield
Honeycomb reef at Earnse Bay © Sally Schofield
This is a fantastic development for Barrow. Earnse Bay and the surrounding area have incredible wildlife and this project will work alongside people in Barrow, discovering the amazing nature in the area while also taking action to protect the natural environment.
Cumbria Wildlife Trust
The project includes creating opportunities to help people increase their own feeling of nature connectedness through ‘pathways to nature’ - activities that engage senses, emotions, appreciation of beauty, and create personal meaning.
Plans, including the building of a community space as well as the development of the site – which is due to open in 2026 – are currently being finalised by Westmorland and Furness Council. A number of taster activities are set to take place there throughout the summer.
Partners and funding
This is a partnership project between Cumbria Wildlife Trust, Westmorland and Furness Council, and local visual arts charity Art Gene.
Thanks to funding through a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, The Earnse Project will enter into a one-year development phase, which will focus on long-term project planning with the local community. This includes curating activities that will ignite people's passion for the natural wonders at Earnse Bay and help them feel closer to nature.
