Mullon & Duddon Sands

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So, last day, and where shall we go which is not too far away? So the choice was to the nearest coastal area, a few miles south and the town of Mullon, on the edge of the Duddon sands. The town looked a bit of a dump being dull and unkempt, having nothing particular to catch the eye. Parking? Prizes are available for finding anything!! First though, we carried on through the town to an RSPB site called Hodbarrow.

In the past this area, the Hodbarrow mine at Millom was one of the most successful iron ore mines in Cumberland (now Cumbria) not only for the amount of ore that was excavated but also for the quality of the Haematite.
Mining had been tried at Millom before 1855 but with little success. Two men Nathaniel Caine and John Barratt formed the Hodbarrow Mining Company in around 1855. One of the biggest problems at Hodbarrow was due to water and when the old workings collapsed the low lying areas flooded leaving the company with very little choice but to press on and in 1868 extra boreholes were sank and a huge body of Haematite was discovered. 
In 1869 work began on shaft No.1, No.2 and No.3 but shaft No.2 had to be abandoned in 1870 due to flooding, so work had to be started on a new shaft No4 which was operational around 1874. The problems with sand & water became worse, and in 1880 a large embankment was built but this was not as successful as first hoped. The Haematite, which came out of Hodbarrow, was some of the best in the area and was very highly valued. A second sea defence was built in the early 1900s to protect the mines and workings from the sea. This proved very successful and is still in good shape today. 
The Hodbarrow mine ceased production in 1967 after 112 years. In 1968 the iron works closed it doors for the last time.



The remains of Haverigg Mill, Hodbarrow 


The reserve continues to be protected from the sea by a seawall completed in 1905. Most of the area of the reserve is taken up by Hodbarrow Lagoon, a flooded part of the former mine, which is described as a "coastal lagoon", the largest coastal lagoon in Cumbria. 
Great looking site but, like all sites, would need a few visits to appreciate what was visible and when. Still, a lovely morning walk and Rosey had some great images of a warbler. 
Then, back to town for lunch but no joy parking so back to the cottage to finish off the odds and bits left in the fridge. 
On the way back we encountered our first rain of the week. Pretty good for the lake District I would say. 
Then some packing ready for the off early tomorrow.

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Location: RSPB Hodbarrow, Mainsgate Rd, Millom LA18 4JY

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