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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.
Food & Drink
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.
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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.
Culture & Heritage
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).
Surrounding Areas
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?
Lakeland Miniature VillageThe talented Edward Robinson has created an impressive collection of miniature buildings hand-made out of local slate and set in naturalistic surroundings.- Priory Church of St Mary & St MichaelFounded in 1189 by Augustinian canons and threatened with destruction after the Dissolution of the Monasteries Act in 1536, the church survived to become the parish church.
- HampsfellThe limestone plateau of Hampsfell is one of the highest points on the Cartmel peninsula at 727 ft (221 m) high and commands extensive sea and fell views in all directions.
- Cartmel Village ShopFamed for its Sticky Toffee Pudding, the village shop is an all-year-round destination for food-lovers from far and wide.
- Holker HallThis family seat of the Cavendish family can be dated to the early 16th century.
- Cartmel Priory GatehouseBuilt in the early 14th century as the gateway to the priory precinct, the building has been variously used as a courthouse, grammar school for 200 years and latterly, as a shop.
Highlights
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Watching the sun go down over Morecambe Bay is the stuff memories are made of
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Number of results: 45
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Address
Flookburgh, CumbriaFlookburgh
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…
Address
The Netherwood Hotel, Lindale Road, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, LA11 6ETTelephone
01539 532 552Grange-over-Sands
The Netherwood Hotel and Spa is a stunning country house hotel on the edge of Grange over Sands with outstanding views over Morecambe Bay. Offering comfortable accommodation it is an ideal base from which to explore the Southern Lakes.
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Address
The Netherwood Hotel, Lindale Road, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, LA11 6ETTelephone
01539 532 552Grange-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.
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Field Broughton, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, LA11 6HRTelephone
015395 36587Grange-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…
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Address
The Square, Cartmel, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, LA11 6QBTelephone
015395 36280Grange-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.
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Address
Cavendish Street, Cartmel, Cumbria, LA11 6QATelephone
(+44) 015395 36362Cartmel
L'Enclume represents Simon Rogan's extraordinary gastronomic vision. It is intertwined and deeply connected to Our Farm, the driving force and catalyst for its menus. Situated in a former 13th-century blacksmith's workshop in Cartmel, L'Enclume…
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Grange, LA11 6LJThis 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
Address
Cartmel Priory School, Headless Cross, Cartmel, Grange-over-Sands, LA11 7SATelephone
01750 725497Cartmel
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…
Address
Cartmel Racecourse, Cartmel, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, LA11 6QFTelephone
015395 58328Grange-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.
Address
The Gate House, The Square, Cartmel, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, LA11 6QBTelephone
015395 35917Cartmel, 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…
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Address
Cartmel Village Hall, The Square, Cartmel, Cumbria, LA11 6QBTelephone
015395 35187Cartmel
Cartmel Art Society would like to announce the dates for their Annual Exhibition in August. This will be held at Cartmel Village Hall from Friday 11th to Sunday 13th August, opening from 10am to 4pm each day. A preview evening on Thursday 10th…
Address
Cumbria Grand Hotel Car Park, Lindale Road, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, LA11 6ENGrange-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.
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Beyonk Online Booking
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Address
Station Square, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, LA11 6EJTelephone
015395 33666Grange-over-Sands
The four-star Grange Hotel is ideally located on the southern fringe of the English Lakes, on the curve of Morecambe Bay. One of the premier Lake District hotels, we offer warm hospitality, excellent service, stylish and elegant grandeur.
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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.
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Spring Bank Farm, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, LA11 6HATelephone
015393 24635Grange-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.
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Field Broughton, GRANGE-OVER-SANDS, Cumbria, LA11 6HRGRANGE-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.
Address
Victoria Hall, Main Street, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, LA11 6DPTelephone
0333 666 3366Grange-over-Sands
Based on the comical and moving New York Times bestseller, A Man Called Otto tells the story of Otto Anderson (Tom Hanks), a grumpy man whose only joy comes from criticizing and judging his exasperated neighbours. When a lively young family moves in…
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Grange-over-SandsThis 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
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.
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Address
Wild Soul Studio, Rooms 6 and 7, Victoria Hall, Main Street, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, LA11 6DXTelephone
07779 601354Main Street, Grange-over-Sands
Soulful bespoke well-being and healing retreats. Empowering soul led healing and well-being retreats to soothe and nourish your wild soul. Uniquely co-created for your soul’s needs.
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