You are here: Home > Explore Cumbria > Areas of Cumbria > Cartmel
One of the prettiest villages in all of Cumbria, Cartmel is a picture-postcard destination, with a delightful olde-worlde feel and a fine collection of inns, artisan shops and cute cottages. At the heart of the village is a beautiful 12th-century priory, which is only a few steps away from its ancient racecourse that still hosts one of England’s most famous racing festivals. And to top it all off there’s the world-famous sticky toffee pudding, sold here in enormous quantities and served in all of its restaurants, including the ones with Michelin stars.
Cartmel is a foodie paradise, boasting some of the finest dining in the country. When you have 5-star food and service and a 16 course taster menu, of superb oysters and glorious venison, you certainly don’t rush! This is an experience to be savoured over a 4-hour period of pure heaven. This is when food becomes pure theatre and the most impeccable and luscious art. Vegans and vegetarians are given lots of delicious options to choose from, as are those looking for Gluten Free. And all this can be enjoyed with pretty views looking out over the village, or to Cartmel Priory.
The village is very fortunate to have three 4/5-star wheelchair accessible restaurants, offering excellent silver-service, friendly staff and roaring fires on a cold day. Some restaurants have a country house feel, where diners will be greeted personally by the owner, which is always a lovely touch. Local dishes are presented from succulent, local lamb to delicious Cartmel tart.
Although fine dining is a wonderful way to spoil yourself, you might be looking for something a little lighter; local shrimps perhaps, an excellent homemade fruit pie or Cartmel’s own, sticky toffee pudding? Cartmel has an abundance of delightful cafes to try out with wonderful home-baked treats in a relaxed and cosy atmosphere. They’re family and dog friendly and often there’s popular extras, like free papers to read, book swap exchange and local gifts.
Some cafes have food shops downstairs offering local cheeses, beers, jams and potted shrimps to purchase and take home with you, while upstairs you can sit in a window seat overlooking the village square whilst sipping your coffee and sampling one of the many home-baked treats.
You can’t beat a good traditional pub though, complete with oak beams and roaring fires. Cartmel has three great quality pubs to choose from, where you’re guaranteed a good atmosphere with an excellent choice of local beers, wines and cocktails and an excellent choice of homemade dishes - pies being a favourite! Sunday lunch is very popular too and is often great value. In the warmer months you can sit in the Beer gardens, giving lovely views over the village and across the fields.
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).
Flookburgh - Flookburgh, to the west, was once an important fishing and market garden centre. Fishermen still go out on a daily basis to fish for shrimps, cockles, mussels and flukes (flatfish); the latter earning the village its name.
Field Broughton - North of Cartmel is Field Broughton, a pastoral village that still has a well-preserved pinfold.
Meathop - Further east is the isolated hamlet of Meathop established around one of the first sanatoriums in the country.
Grange-over-Sands - Grange retains much elegance from its Edwardian heyday, with ornamental gardens, attractive shopping arcades and a sea-front promenade for relaxing walks.
Did you know?
Long distance cross country orienteering event day for BOF members. Colour Coded courses available…
This 4 star self catering cottage is situated in the heart of the historic market town of Kirkby…
Cinema | (18) | 88 minutes Join us for this special screening featuring a live Q&A with Dunstan…
The role is responsible for promoting Carlisle Cathedral as a place of worship and pilgrimage, as…
This ride along the sea wall gives spectacular wide open views across the Duddon estuary and out to…
Electric bike charging point, located at Country Lanes Cycle Hire, adjacent to Windermere Station…
Wall Nook is located in lovely countryside just over a mile from the charming, foodie village of…
Starts 8pm | Tickets £16 | Theatre International award-winning smash hit BROMANCE is a five-star…
Another Place, The Lake is a relaxed, contemporary hotel on the shores of Ullswater, from where you…
Welcome to Aquatic Quays Windermere. We are the U.K.s largest importer and distributor for Bayliner…
A beautiful way to reset our intentions, solidify relationships, restore your sense of self and…
Have you just finished your GCSEs or A-Levels? Well Furness college are offering a number of…
A Gin experience like no other! A special tasting with Chestnut House, focussing on a different…
Lanercost Tea Room's, Hadrian’s Wall Gateway Visitor Information Centre is the ideal starting point…
Learn how to mix it up! With our expertly trained, globally recognised mixologists. Discover a…
Explore the changing seasons and find inspiration in the beautiful landscape colours of autumn with…
Rediscovering Pencils in Art with Margaret Jarvis -'Tulips in Spring' A lovely opportunity to…
Located at the Primary School, High Hesket. Recycle Cans, Foil, Glass, Paper, Card and Textiles at…
Set beneath some of England's highest fells and overlooking Bassenthwaite Lake, the Best Western…
Long cascade over slabs, easily seen from the road. Park along the road near Seathwaite Farm. Steep…
St Lawrence's church is a grade I listed building, of late 12th century foundation, rebuilt late…
Located in the Joss Lane Car Park. Recycle Cans, Glass, Paper & Card and Plastics at this site.
Stage on Screen | 180 minutes | Starts 7pm | Tickets £15.50 An extraordinary new production of…
Electric bike charging point, located at The Upfront Gallery & Cafe, Nr. Hutton-in-the-Forest,…
Watching the sun go down over Morecambe Bay is the stuff memories are made of
Number of results: 43
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Grange-over-Sands
Wall Nook is located in lovely countryside just over a mile from the charming, foodie village of Cartmel.
Grange over Sands
Sensory forest bathing
Nature connection yoga
Create a spring wreath
Includes all materials & charity donation
with vegan cake & forest tea
Grange-over-Sands
Spring yoga, tea and cake, followed by a relaxing gong bath with GO GONGS.
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.
Cartmel
A 50 mile ultra run, with 4000m ascent – a journey on foot from the very top of the Lake District at Caldbeck to the very bottom, at Cartmel, via the stunning Helvellyn Ridge and the western shoreline of Lake Windermere. It might not be the easiest…
Grange-over-Sands
Pine Lodges (sleep 4) with Sauna & spa bath. In a beautiful setting in the heart of a 5 acre wood, Woodlands Pine Lodges are ideal for a relaxing break. On site Restaurant & Bar. Friendly staff. Great Food. Great Value. A real hidden gem.
Grange-over-Sands
An exciting day out for the whole family, avid punters and friendship groups alike! Enjoy the huge funfair, great selection of delicious food and drink vendors, eclectic stalls... all on top of the thrill of summer jumping at this spectacular…
Grange-over-Sands
Set on over 300 acres of farm and parkland, this multi-functional venue offers an impressive but tranquil setting, with views over the countryside.
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.
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 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…
Lindale Road, Grange-over-Sands
Guided nature connection and mindfulness walks. Weaving together walking, and sensory and immersive practices to allow a relaxing and nurturing flow.
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…
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
Cartmel Priory has been described as the medieval jewel among churches, making a lasting impression on the visitor, standing over the village and giving an idea of the way early priories must have dominated their surroundings.
Grange over Sands
Classic car show in beautiful Grange over sands, with over 300 classic cars and motorcycles. A great family day out with stalls, attractions and lovely views over morecambe bay.
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
Selling the famous Cartmel Sticky Toffee Pudding and fantastic other local produce and speciality foods. We have also been featured on BBC's Great British Menu. We provide a hamper service, friendly atmosphere, and knowledgeable staff.
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.
Flookburgh
Home by Simon Rogan is an award-winning, monthly-changing three-course menu service, created by Simon Rogan, chef patron of three Michelin-starred restaurant L'Enclume and one Michelin-starred restaurant Rogan & Co and his chefs in his Lake District…
Receive all the latest news, special offers and information from the Lake District, Cumbria
Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL