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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.
New for 2024 – Mobility scooter and E-bike hire available from Morecambe Bay Partnership. Book in advance here.
Did you know?
Cartmel Art Society are pleased to be opening their 2024 Summer Art & Craft Exhibition at Cartmel…
Cumbria Grand Hotel is a stunning Victorian property in the town of Grange over Sands. 124 bedroom…
Enjoy a variety of meat, fish, cheese and vegetarian finger sandwiches along with home-made pork…
St. Peter's is an outstanding example of the decorated style of architecture, with its warm red…
Spring Bank Cottage is peacefully situated in a lovely location in the countryside, yet only a few…
Buses to and through Grange-over-Sands: 530 Kendal - Grange - Cartmel. 532 Grange - Kents Bank -…
A fascinating historic house where the elegance and loveliness of the Victorian era combine with…
Our Shop, housed in an historic medieval Priory gatehouse, in Cartmel village square, sells a…
The Cumbria Steam Gathering takes place annually over the last weekend in July. Our home since 1986…
Within the county of Cumbria the Lake District is a unique landscape of beautiful lakes and…
Greaves Farm Caravan Park is small, family run park in beautiful countryside on the fringe of the…
The Cumbria Grand Hotel offers two great places to eat – The Hazelwood Restaurant and The Jacobean…
L'Enclume is Simon Rogan's iconic flagship restaurant in the Lake District, where culinary…
Cartmel Racecourse is a truly unique location - home to Summer Jump horseracing with added delights…
Experience the thrill of an after-dark adventure and discover how nocturnal creatures make the…
Unique, therapeutic & life-changing experiences for all animal lovers with the famous Black Horses…
The Netherwood is a beautiful Grade II listed Victorian Mansion standing in 15 acres of woodland…
At the Netherwood you can enjoy a traditional selection of sandwiches, scones with jam and cream…
The Courtyard Cafe offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere and specialises in local and seasonal…
Situated in the heart of the picturesque coastal town of Grange over Sands, with its splendid…
This gently undulating ride is surprisingly quiet bearing in mind its location within the…
Cartmel Priory is the majestic setting for our choral concert, with a performance of Fauré's…
Wall Nook is located in lovely countryside just over a mile from the charming, foodie village of…
Home of The Black Horses Friesian Experience, farm location with stunning views over South Lakeland…
Watching the sun go down over Morecambe Bay is the stuff memories are made of
Number of results: 56
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Cartmel, Grange-over-Sands
Cartmel Art Society are pleased to be opening their 2024 Summer Art & Craft Exhibition at Cartmel Village Hall from Friday 11th to Sunday 13th August.
The Exhibition is free entry to the general public from Friday 9th August, offering free parking…
Grange-over-Sands
Cumbria Grand Hotel is a stunning Victorian property in the town of Grange over Sands.
124 bedroom comfortable en-suite bedrooms, many with bay views across Morecambe Bay.
Ample free parking in the hotel car park and the hotel offers free WiFi in…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
1577 reviewsGrange-over-Sands
Enjoy a variety of meat, fish, cheese and vegetarian finger sandwiches along with home-made pork sausage rolls, followed by a selection of sweet treats including sultana scones filled with strawberry jam and Chantilly cream with fresh strawberries;…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
1577 reviewsGRANGE-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
Spring Bank Cottage is peacefully situated in a lovely location in the countryside, yet only a few minutes by car or foot from the centre of Grange-Over-Sands. Probably the best views in the area can be enjoyed from the cottage.
Grange-over-Sands
Buses to and through Grange-over-Sands:
530 Kendal - Grange - Cartmel.
532 Grange - Kents Bank - Flookburgh - Cark - Cartmel.
X6 Barrow - Grange - Kendal.
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, Grange-over-Sands
Our Shop, housed in an historic medieval Priory gatehouse, in Cartmel village square, sells a variety of carefully selected products, including hampers and gift sets, by renowned chef and restauranteur Simon Rogan, available either online or by…
Flookburgh, Grange-over-Sands
The Cumbria Steam Gathering takes place annually over the last weekend in July. Our home since 1986 has been Cark Airfield, Flookburgh, Grange over Sands LA11 7LS by kind permission of Mr J Latham and Sons.
Grange-over-Sands
Within the county of Cumbria the Lake District is a unique landscape of beautiful lakes and forests, set against a backdrop of mountains and fells that have inspired poets, writers and artists for centuries.
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
The Cumbria Grand Hotel offers two great places to eat – The Hazelwood Restaurant and The Jacobean Bar. Utilising as many local ingredients as can be and allowing local dishes to influence the menus, the food gives you a real taste of the Lake…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
1577 reviewsCartmel
L'Enclume is Simon Rogan's iconic flagship restaurant in the Lake District, where culinary creativity harnesses the powerful connection between food and nature.
Known for its truly unique offering in the UK restaurant scene, both for its warm,…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
3171 reviewsCartmel
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 Fell, Grange over Sands
Join nature expert, Gemma and local photographer, Ginny Koppenhol for a nature experience with a twist.
Saturday 4th May 10am - 2pm, £65 per person, tasty vegetarian picnic lunch included.
This spring we're teaming up with Hare Hill Barn, a great…
Grange-over-Sands
Experience the thrill of an after-dark adventure and discover how nocturnal creatures make the world their own once the sun goes down.
Grange-over-Sands
Unique, therapeutic & life-changing experiences for all animal lovers with the famous Black Horses of Cartmel.
Grange-Over-Sands
The Netherwood is a beautiful Grade II listed Victorian Mansion standing in 15 acres of woodland and landscaped gardens with breath taking uninterrupted views across Morecambe Bay.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
1190 reviewsGrange-over-Sands
At the Netherwood you can enjoy a traditional selection of sandwiches, scones with jam and cream and a delicious selection of cakes. Served with tea or coffee of your choice , why not add a glass of bubbly to make it extra special.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
134 reviewsGrange-over-Sands
The Courtyard Cafe offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere and specialises in local and seasonal food designed to incorporate the best local and seasonal ingredients, from our kitchen garden, the Holker Estate and our fantastic local suppliers. Our…
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