THE wild sands along the western side of Walney have been marked out as one of the country’s top 10 ‘lesser-known’ coastal daytrip spots.

Earnse Bay has been included in a list of tucked-away beach destinations by National Geographic - alongside hidden gems in Northumberland, Kent, Cornwall and other parts of England.

The article noted the bay’s ‘spectacular’ views and as being a place for ‘sunsets and letting off steam’.

According to the write-up: “Few people come to Cumbria for its beaches, but west-facing, empty Earnse Bay on Walney Island... is perfect for a picnic or a dip with a backdrop of the setting sun.

“Views of the largest wind farm in Europe, the mountains of the Isle of Man and, on a clear day, Snowdonia, can be spectacular,” it ran. “Keep your eyes peeled for the inhabitants of one of England’s largest grey seal colonies.”

Last December, the magazine published a guide which urged readers to forgo the ‘honeypots of the Lake District’ for a weekend break at the ‘magnificent forgotten coast’ in south Cumbria, featuring profiles on Ulverston, Grange-over-Sands and Bardsea.

Commenting on the latest coverage, managing director of Cumbria Tourism, Gill Haigh, said: “It’s great to see Cumbria’s coastline recognised yet again by National Geographic.

“The West Coast, Furness and Morecambe Bay have all quite-rightly been highlighted by several national magazines in recent months, with a very clear and increasing interest in what Cumbria’s coastline has to offer, in addition to the more well-known inland areas like The Lake District National Park.

“The opportunities afforded by coastal areas like Earnse Bay cannot be understated, and very much form part of our recovery efforts....this recognition by National Geographic adds further weight to our claims...that Cumbria is the perfect place to be.”