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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.
Did you know?
50 Mile Ultra Run 50 miles, 4000m ascent – a journey on foot from the very top of the Lake District…
Within the county of Cumbria the Lake District is a unique landscape of beautiful lakes and…
Charity tractor push from Haverthwaite to Cartmel Via Flookburgh and Grange over Sands
Beautiful secluded setting. The Woodlands Hotel & Pine Lodges is an ideal base for touring the Lake…
The four-star Grange Hotel is ideally located on the southern fringe of the English Lakes, on the…
Buses to and through Grange-over-Sands: 530 Kendal - Grange - Cartmel. 532 Grange - Kents Bank -…
Summer Jumps racing fixtures in Cartmel Village. Festival atmosphere.
Selling the famous Cartmel Sticky Toffee Pudding and fantastic other local produce and speciality…
Greaves Farm Caravan Park is small, family run park in beautiful countryside on the fringe of the…
A Day’s Walk is a unique online food and drink shop and delivery service for self-catering holiday…
A Grade 2 listed manor building situated in a peaceful countryside location at the foot of the Lake…
Experience the thrill of an after-dark adventure and discover how nocturnal creatures make the…
An exciting opportunity for Friesian lovers to get hands on experience of what it's like to ride…
The gently rolling trails around Cartmel offer lovely views over Morecambe Bay and the harder your…
Enjoy a unique experience and the first of it's kind in the UK and possibly the World! For horse…
Greaves Farm Caravan Park is family run park in beautiful countryside on the fringe of the Lake…
This gently undulating ride is surprisingly quiet bearing in mind its location within the…
L'Enclume is Simon Rogan's iconic restaurant in The Lakes, where culinary creativity harnesses the…
Lakeland Segway is the best place to Segway in the Lakes. Offering guided Segway tours around the…
Spring Bank Cottage is peacefully situated in a lovely location in the countryside, yet only a few…
Cartmel Priory has been described as the medieval jewel among churches, making a lasting impression…
A community theatre production of Shakespearean favourites with music performed by The Marshal's…
Home of The Black Horses Friesian Experience, farm location with stunning views over South Lakeland…
Pine Lodges (sleep 4) with Sauna & spa bath. In a beautiful setting in the heart of a 5 acre wood,…
Watching the sun go down over Morecambe Bay is the stuff memories are made of
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Grange over Sands
Join us at the Cumbria Grand Hotel, nestled on the hill on the outskirts of the picturesque town of Grange over Sands in the South Lakes, to celebrate HM the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.
Enjoy a delicious afternoon tea served in our Hazelwood…
Cartmel
50 Mile Ultra Run
50 miles, 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…
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.
Cartmel
Charity tractor push from Haverthwaite to Cartmel Via Flookburgh and Grange over Sands
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.
Grange-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.
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.
Cartmel, Grange-over-Sands
Summer Jumps racing fixtures in Cartmel Village. Festival atmosphere.
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
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…
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
A Grade 2 listed manor building situated in a peaceful countryside location at the foot of the Lake District. We are a residential centre specialising in hosting large school and corporate groups, as well as summer camps and venue hire. Our…
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.
Cartmel, Grange-over-Sands
An exciting opportunity for Friesian lovers to get hands on experience of what it's like to ride and / or drive top quality Friesians in one of the most scenic parts of the country.
Cartmel, Grange-over-Sands
The gently rolling trails around Cartmel offer lovely views over Morecambe Bay and the harder your run, the more Sticky Toffee Pudding you can eat afterwards.
Starting and finishing at Cartmel Racecourse, the 5K Cartmel Sport Trail, 10K Cartmel…
Grange-over-Sands
Enjoy a unique experience and the first of it's kind in the UK and possibly the World!
For horse lovers of any age, spend time with one of our beautiful Friesian horses and share a self-catering stable for the night!
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…
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
L'Enclume is Simon Rogan's iconic restaurant in The Lakes, where culinary creativity harnesses the powerful connection between food and nature.
Grange-over-Sands
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.
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