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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?
Experience the thrill of an after-dark adventure and discover how nocturnal creatures make the…
This gently undulating ride is surprisingly quiet bearing in mind its location within the…
Situated in its' own grounds, overlooking Morecambe Bay, with access to the mile long promenade…
Greaves Farm Caravan Park is family run park in beautiful countryside on the fringe of the Lake…
Cartmel Priory is the majestic setting for our choral concert, with a performance of Fauré's…
Cartmel Art Society are pleased to be opening their 2024 Summer Art & Craft Exhibition at Cartmel…
A prestigious location, acres of tranquil, rural countryside and the very heart of the Lake…
Cumbria Grand Hotel is a stunning Victorian property in the town of Grange over Sands. 124 bedroom…
The Cumbria Grand Hotel offers two great places to eat – The Hazelwood Restaurant and The Jacobean…
An exciting season of horse racing, over 9 race dates with entertainment for the whole family.
L'Enclume is Simon Rogan's iconic flagship restaurant in the Lake District, where culinary…
Artisan Produce Shop dedicated to Lake District Producers. Everything stocked comes from a…
Opening for the 2024 season, new E-bike hire service - we are trialling a new active travel hub at…
The Courtyard Cafe offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere and specialises in local and seasonal…
Beautiful secluded setting. The Woodlands Hotel & Pine Lodges is an ideal base for touring the Lake…
Are you yearning for a weekend adventure? Are you a cycling enthusiast or a dedicated trail running…
A Day’s Walk is a unique online food and drink shop and delivery service for self-catering holiday…
Situated in the heart of the picturesque coastal town of Grange over Sands, with its splendid…
Between the high fells of the Lake District and the sands of Morecambe Bay lies the unspoilt…
This is one of the easiest rides in the South Lakeland with the added bonus that if you time your…
Home of The Black Horses Friesian Experience, farm location with stunning views over South Lakeland…
Thornleigh Christian Hotel is a happy, relaxed holiday destination, a safe place to holiday alone…
Greaves Farm Caravan Park is small, family run park in beautiful countryside on the fringe of the…
The Cumbria Steam Gathering takes place annually over the last weekend in July. Our home since 1986…
Watching the sun go down over Morecambe Bay is the stuff memories are made of
Number of results: 56
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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.
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
Grange-over-Sands
Situated in its' own grounds, overlooking Morecambe Bay, with access to the mile long promenade from the garden.
Grange-over-Sands
Greaves Farm Caravan Park is 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 location for…
Cartmel, Grange-over-Sands
Cartmel Priory is the majestic setting for our choral concert, with a performance of Fauré's much-loved 'Requiem' by the Ulverston Festival Chorus. Together with music by Stanford and Vaughan Williams.
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…
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.
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
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, Grange-over-Sands
An exciting season of horse racing, over 9 race dates with entertainment for the whole family.
Cartmel
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 reviewsCark-in-Cartmel
Artisan Produce Shop dedicated to Lake District Producers. Everything stocked comes from a producer, grower or maker in Cumbria.
Grange-over-Sands
Opening for the 2024 season, new E-bike hire service - we are trialling a new active travel hub at the station and will be offering mobility scooter and E-bike hire as part of the Electric Bike Network.
Grange-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…
Grange-over-Sands
Beautiful secluded setting. The Woodlands Hotel & Pine Lodges is an ideal base for touring the Lake district . Great food. Great value. Friendly staff. A real hidden gem. Guests return again & again. View our 5-star Trip Advisor reviews.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
327 reviewsGrange-over-Sands
Are you yearning for a weekend adventure? Are you a cycling enthusiast or a dedicated trail running aficionado? Look no further than Wild Goat Festival (31st May-2nd June), a weekend of running the trails and gravel cycling set in the heart of the…
Holker Hall, Cark-in-Cartmel
A Day’s Walk is a unique online food and drink shop and delivery service for self-catering holiday accommodation guests where all produce comes from local Lake District producers, farmers and businesses.
Grange-over-Sands
Situated in the heart of the picturesque coastal town of Grange over Sands, with its splendid Promenade, The "Grange Boutique" provides a great base for exploring the magnificent Lake District National Park, the Lake District Peninsula and the…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
223 reviewsBetween the high fells of the Lake District and the sands of Morecambe Bay lies the unspoilt landscape of Furness. This walk guides you along
ancient paths and byways through a landscape shaped by monks and merchantmen, by fishermen and shipbuilders…
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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