Cronk y Bing National Nature Reserve & ASSI

One of MWT's seven nature reserves which is an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI), Cronk y Bing was further declared to be a National Nature Reserve (NNR) on 14th July 2026 to commemorate the visit of the Lord of Mann, King Charles III to the Island. National Nature Reserves have the highest level of legal protection in Manx law. Both of the two Manx National Nature Reserves are found on the Ayres, reflecting the area's global ecological importance.

Cronk y Bing NNR is part of the widest strip of yellow dune on the Island and is found towards the western-most extremity of the Ayres landscape.

Cronk y Bing NNR is excellent for birdwatching, including for year-round migration and sea-watching. It is home to beach-nesting birds including Schedule 1 specially protected Ringed Plover and red-listed Oystercatcher. As the site is important for breeding birds, over-wintering birds and birds resting and feeding on migration, no dogs are allowed on the site year-round. It is also home to one of the largest high tide bird roosts on the Island, used by hundreds of waders, gulls and other seabirds (at almost all stages of the tide). To date, MWT staff and our volunteers have recorded over 120 different species of bird on this internationally important site, including 36 of the Island's 48 red-listed species of conservation concern. In addition, 187 different species of plant has also been recorded, including the rare Isle of Man Cabbage.

Location

Off the A10 Coast Road, turn off at Lhen Bridge

What 3 Words ///Whoops.Foot.Commute

Andreas

Know before you go

Size

7 hectares

Entry fee

Free

Public transport

Nil

Parking information

A small parking area with a rough, rutted surface is adjacent to the reserve. This is not owned by MWT.

Walking trails

The Raad ny Foillan (Manx coastal footpath) is a permissive path that runs along the shore section of the reserve. No dogs are allowed on MWT land and foreshore at this section and please note that there is no bridge across the Lhen river, which must be waded (and may be chest-high depending on the tide and river flow). There is a more sensible inland detour along the Bride-Jurby Coast Road.

Access

Please note that vehicles and dogs are not permitted on the beach or dunes at Cronk y Bing NRR.

Terrain can be difficult around the NNR and is unfortunately not suitable for wheelchair users.

Fishing: Please note that fishing or bait digging is not permitted on any MWT nature reserve, which at Cronk y Bing NNR includes a large part of the foreshore down to the high-tide mark. As Cronk y Bing (including the beach down to the lowest astronomical tide) is an Area of Special Scientific Interest, no fishing is legally permitted on the beach under Section 27(3b) of the Wildlife Act 1990 unless you have applied to the landowner of the foreshore and this landowner has submitted a Notification Form to DEFA and thereafter received consent (see also Section 27(5b) of the Wildlife Act), this is because DEFA have determined that fishing is "an operation likely to damage the special features of the site". If you would like to fish below the high-tide mark, please contact the DOI.

Dogs

No dogs permitted

No dogs permitted throughout the year.

When to visit

Opening times

Open at all times

Best time to visit

June to September (flora), year round (birdlife)

About the reserve

Cronk y Bing forms part of a much larger sand dune system extending to the Point of Ayre and is both an ASSI and a NNR. Marram Grass (known locally as 'bent') dominates with a range of other plants including Pyramidal Orchid, Isle of Man Cabbage, Long-stalked Crane's-bill, Sea Bindweed, Restharrow, Common Stork's-bill, Harebell, Sheep's-bit, Wild Carrot and Burnet Rose. The adjacent shoreline is a favoured breeding ground for Oystercatcher and Ringed Plover and has formerly supported breeding Little Tern. During the autumn and winter divers, sea ducks and a wide variety of gulls, waders and other seabirds are often seen, including the Island's largest roost for Common Gull. Off the coast, the waters are part of the West Coast Marine Nature Reserve where Grey Seals, Harbour Porpoise and diving Gannet may also be seen.

Management: Other than managing recreational access to protect birds, little picks and the removal of invasive plants, limited management is required on this important site.

Species

Habitat

Contact us

Tricia Sayle, Reserves Officer

Contact number: 01624 844432

Contact email: tricia@mwt.im

Environmental designation

Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI)

Marine Protected Areas (MPA)

National Nature Reserve (NNR)

UNESCO Biosphere Reserve

Cronk y Bing National Nature Reserves sand dunes, river mouth and beach

The MWT Cronk y Bing Ayres NNR declaration under the Wildlife Act can be found here.

The MWT Cronk y Bing ASSI designation documents under the Wildlife Act can be found here. MWT are pleased that this incredible area counts towards the Island's "30 by 30 international obligation".