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Grange-over-Sands is an elegant town, with strong reminders of its heyday as a fashionable seaside resort in the 19th century – all thanks to the balmy influence of the Gulf Stream and the arrival of the railroad in the 1850s. Grange’s Victorian and Edwardian elegance is still very much in evidence today, in its ornamental gardens, attractive shopping arcades and its long seafront promenade.
Around 678 AD, the Cartmel peninsula was granted to St Cuthbert, Bishop of Lindisfarne, by King Egfrith of Northumberland for the establishment of a monastery. An early church dedicated to St Cuthbert was built at Kirkhead near Allithwaite, although nothing now remains of the structure. It was not until 1189 that an enduring ecclesiastical presence was established with the founding of Cartmel Priory next to the River Eea (pronounced ‘Ay’).
Locals eked out a living with farming and fishing, with the monks lending a helping hand. Limestone was crushed and burned to produce quicklime for spreading on the fields to ‘sweeten’ the grass, woods provided coppice timber for agricultural implements and for charcoal burning, oats were grown, and the sea and rivers yielded good supplies of fish. The monks stored their grain at Grange (from the French word ‘graunge’ meaning ‘granary’) and may have had a small harbour here.
The famous Cartmel Races are said to date back to monastic times, as part of the Whitsuntide celebrations. The priory was at the heart of community life, until it was largely destroyed on the orders of Henry VIII in 1536. An appeal by the villagers to keep the church as a place of worship for the parish was granted, thus saving this impressive church (and the gatehouse) for posterity.
Up to the mid-19th century, the only viable link between the peninsula and the rest of the country was over the sands of Morecambe Bay at low tide. Individuals on foot or travelling by horse and cart would regularly make the perilous journey, fraught with danger from swift incoming tides, unsuspected quicksands or changing river currents. A guide appointed by the abbot of Cartmel Priory would conduct travellers from Kents Bank to Hest Bank near Bolton-le-Sands (9 miles/14.5 km).
Allithwaite - To the south is the former Viking homestead of Allithwaite, leading to the limestone whaleback of Humphrey Head.
Flookburgh - Flookburgh, to the west, was once an important fishing and market garden centre. Fishermen still go out daily to fish for shrimps, cockles, mussels and flukes (flatfish); the latter earning the village its name.
Cark - Next door is Cark; now a quiet village, it once accommodated a large cotton mill and was a busy port in its 18th-century heyday.
Cartmel - Nearby Cartmel is home to two Michelin starred restaurants (L'Enclume and Rogan & Co) as well as the impressive Cartmel Priory.
Mobility scooter and E-bike hire is available from the Morecambe Bay Partnership. Book in advance here.
The Cartmel Peninsula has an extensive network of public footpaths and peaceful lanes that are ideal for walking and cycling.
Grange-over-Sands railway station is a joy. Opened in 1857, the station was awarded 'Heritage Station of the Year' in 2012. It was also named the UK's best small railway station in 2021 when judges commented that the station has created a ‘glorious travel experience’ and had a ‘real sense of local pride’. With beautiful coastal views, it's easy to see why.
The Cumbria Steam & Vintage Vehicle Society Ltd has been bringing together vintage vehicles to Cark Airfield in Flookburgh, for one massive summer gathering for over four decades.
Semi-tropical plantings of trees and shrubs surround the centrepiece pond with its colourful array of ducks and geese from all over the world.
Grange over Sands is known for its long promenade, suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs; and offering stunning views over Morecambe Bay. The promenade walk is backed by tropical palms and ornamental shrubs and overlooks the marshes of Morecambe Bay. Tennis, putting and basketball can be enjoyed along its length.
Located in Park Road Gardens, Grange over Sands' Bandstand hosts concerts during the summer months.
Grange over Sands was once home to a popular seaside lido which sadly closed in 1992. However a new era of regeneration has come for the Lido, with refurbishment of the Lido site and a campaign to #SaveGrangeLido and reopen it for swimmers.
All About Alpacas is where nature's charm meets unforgettable experiences in Cumbria.
Artisan Produce Shop dedicated to Lake District Producers. Everything stocked comes from a…
Vintage and classic vehicle rally
This gently undulating ride is surprisingly quiet bearing in mind its location within the…
A prestigious location, acres of tranquil, rural countryside and the very heart of the Lake…
Lakeland Segway is the best place to Segway in the Lakes. Offering guided Segway tours around the…
An all-new event for 2025, celebrating all things gardening and outdoor living. Join us as we…
Greaves Farm Caravan Park is small, family run park in beautiful countryside on the fringe of the…
Unique, therapeutic & life-changing experiences for all animal lovers with the famous Black Horses…
Ellenboro House is a cosy self-catering property for couples located near Cartmel.
Wall Nook is located in lovely countryside just over a mile from the charming, foodie village of…
When you want to get away from it all, you really can at Grange Manor. Take your pick of one of our…
There's nowhere quite like Holker Hall & Gardens for a family day out at Easter. Join us for FOUR…
Coffee and Stays at Cartmel Square has beautiful boutique rooms and it’s very own coffee shop in…
A fascinating historic house where the elegance and loveliness of the Victorian era combine with…
Cartmel Racecourse is a truly unique location - home to Summer Jump horseracing with added delights…
There are 16 elegant, individually designed, guest bedrooms, which are located around the village…
St. Peter's is an outstanding example of the decorated style of architecture, with its warm red…
A 3-hour session with a foraging expert, including ID work, finding and tasting wild ingredients,…
This is one of the easiest rides in the South Lakeland with the added bonus that if you time your…
Selling the famous Cartmel Sticky Toffee Pudding and fantastic other local produce and speciality…
Welcome to our cozy bedtime for lambs! As you settle in to bottle feed these adorable little ones,…
Amazing interactive bird of prey experiences for all ages. Choose either the woodland and parkland…
The four-star Grange Hotel is ideally located on the southern fringe of the English Lakes, on the…
Watching the sun go down over Morecambe Bay is the stuff memories are made of
Number of results: 55
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Cartmel
All About Alpacas is where nature's charm meets unforgettable experiences in Cumbria.
Cark-in-Cartmel
Artisan Produce Shop dedicated to Lake District Producers. Everything stocked comes from a producer, grower or maker in Cumbria.
Grange-over-Sands
Vintage and classic vehicle rally
This gently undulating ride is surprisingly quiet bearing in mind its location within the boundaries of the Lake District National Park. A loop of the Winster valley beneath the wooded slopes of Whitbarrow Scar sets the scene for this ride
Cark, Grange-over-Sands
A prestigious location, acres of tranquil, rural countryside and the very heart of the Lake District on its doorstep; Old Park Wood is an unrivalled private holiday park offering residents their very own luxurious, Cumbrian retreat.
Cartmel
Lakeland Segway is the best place to Segway in the Lakes. Offering guided Segway tours around the beautiful grounds that surround Cartmel Racecourse and The Holker Estate.
Cark, Grange-over-Sands
An all-new event for 2025, celebrating all things gardening and outdoor living.
Join us as we celebrate the new season, delve into the design of Holker's own Garden and hear from our Gardens Team, alongside a host of gardening and outdoor living…
Grange-over-Sands
Greaves Farm Caravan Park is small, family run park in beautiful countryside on the fringe of the Lake District within easy reach of Lake Windermere, the historic village of Cartmel and Grange over Sands and many places of interest. An ideal…
Grange-over-Sands
Unique, therapeutic & life-changing experiences for all animal lovers with the famous Black Horses of Cartmel.
Grange-over-Sands
Ellenboro House is a cosy self-catering property for couples located near Cartmel.
Grange-over-Sands
Wall Nook is located in lovely countryside just over a mile from the charming, foodie village of Cartmel.
Grange-over-Sands
When you want to get away from it all, you really can at Grange Manor. Take your pick of one of our eight sublime deluxe rooms set within a secluded woodland in Grange-over-Sands, the Lake District, Cumbria.
Cark, Grange-over-Sands
There's nowhere quite like Holker Hall & Gardens for a family day out at Easter. Join us for FOUR DAYS packed with Easter-themed activities – paint your own egg and join in the egg rolling competition to see whose is the fastest egg down the…
Cartmel
Coffee and Stays at Cartmel Square has beautiful boutique rooms and it’s very own coffee shop in the centre of Cartmel village. A perfect location when dining at L’Enclume, Aulis or Rogan & Co, or for exploring the Lake District.
Grange-over-Sands
A fascinating historic house where the elegance and loveliness of the Victorian era combine with the warmth and welcome of a much loved family home. The hall is set in 25 acres of romantic formal & woodland gardens and ancient parkland, with the…
Cartmel
Cartmel Racecourse is a truly unique location - home to Summer Jump horseracing with added delights of the funfair, local food & drink vendors, music events and family fun days! Enjoy a thrilling day out for all the family, it's the perfect Summer…
Cartmel
There are 16 elegant, individually designed, guest bedrooms, which are located around the village of Cartmel. Each is designed with their own unique style in mind, whilst retaining references to their historic surroundings – resulting in perfect…
GRANGE-OVER-SANDS
St. Peter's is an outstanding example of the decorated style of architecture, with its warm red sandstone and distinctive shingled spire and clay tiled roof, an unusual feature in the Lake District.
Grange-over-Sands
A 3-hour session with a foraging expert, including ID work, finding and tasting wild ingredients, and a wild snack at Holker Hall in Cumbria.
This is one of the easiest rides in the South Lakeland with the added bonus that if you time your trip right you can visit the ice cream factory at Holme Farm, just east of Grange.
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