Out of the back of Millom Station we head south on the coast path through an area that shows several signs of previous industry. In its heyday, Millom Ironworks was one of the largest in the world, but was forced to close in 1968 after a failure to attract investment for new steel making processes. Since its demise, efforts have been made to transform the pits and slag heaps into a local nature reserve which opened in 2002 .

Further down the bank of the estuary is the familier sight of beached fishing boats.

And further still there are a few attempts at beautification of what is a rather sad and desolate area – there is nobody here.

From Hodbarrow Point the path follows the outline of a shallow freshwater lagoon, created by the flooding of another iron mine – as previously the area surrounding the lagoon has been transformed into a nature reserve run by the RSPB.

Halfway along stands stumpy Haverigg Lighthouse – looking a little worse for wear.

And soon we are in Haverigg, a sleepy little town with pretty pastel coloured houses framing the harbour.

After a welcome cup of tea and a bun, we continue through the dunes following the King Charles III England Coast Path. It’s hard work walking in the soft sand, but after a couple of miles the path turns inland through soggy marsh and fields. Here, we spend a lot of time hopping from relatively dry tussocks of reeds and rough grass to avoid sinking into the mud. After several attempts to make it to the fence, which we need to climb, I catch sight of an ECP sign warning us to keep to the path to avoid a nearby naturist campsite. Well – of course we would, if we could find the path.

Ten minutes later the silence of the afternoon is brutally broken by the sound of motorbikes revving up ahead. We have now stumbled upon what I now know is the Cumbria 4x Motorcross Track. Unfortunately we are not allowed anywhere near the action but I try to take a few photos around the back of the van park.

I get some sour looks but one father and his son were up for it…………

From here we skirt Silecroft Golf Club and head up a minor road to the station. This has not been the most inspiring of walks but tomorrow is another day.

Distance: 10 miles