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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?
The Spa at the Netherwood is a recent addition to the hotel and certainly completes your hotel…
Selling the famous Cartmel Sticky Toffee Pudding and fantastic other local produce and speciality…
Beginners belly dancing workshop. Fun, professional, great music, props provided as required.
Home by Simon Rogan is an award-winning, monthly-changing three-course menu service, created by…
There are 16 elegant, individually designed, guest bedrooms, which are located around the village…
An inspirational space to learn a new craft, or available for hire for exhibitions and private…
An Exhibition of works by Lizzie Mather and Adrian Hohler. A mix of watercolours and oil paintings…
Greaves Farm Caravan Park is small, family run park in beautiful countryside on the fringe of the…
Greaves Farm Caravan Park is family run park in beautiful countryside on the fringe of the Lake…
Country Music Night with Wee Willy Junior - Saturday 30th September Dance the night away to covers…
A Day’s Walk is a unique online food and drink shop and delivery service for self-catering holiday…
Cartmel Priory has been described as the medieval jewel among churches, making a lasting impression…
This is one of the easiest rides in the South Lakeland with the added bonus that if you time your…
Within the county of Cumbria the Lake District is a unique landscape of beautiful lakes and…
Coffee and Stays at Cartmel Square has beautiful boutique rooms and it’s very own coffee shop in…
Allelujah is a warm and deeply moving story about old age. When the geriatric ward in a small…
A 50 mile ultra run, with 4000m ascent – a journey on foot from the very top of the Lake District…
Buses to and through Grange-over-Sands: 530 Kendal - Grange - Cartmel. 532 Grange - Kents Bank -…
An exciting opportunity for Friesian lovers to get hands on experience of what it's like to ride…
L'Enclume represents Simon Rogan's extraordinary gastronomic vision. It is intertwined and deeply…
Get into the festive spirit at Christmas in Cartmel! Explore the Christmas markets with a variety…
Set on over 300 acres of farm and parkland, this multi-functional venue offers an impressive but…
This gently undulating ride is surprisingly quiet bearing in mind its location within the…
The four-star Grange Hotel is ideally located on the southern fringe of the English Lakes, on the…
Watching the sun go down over Morecambe Bay is the stuff memories are made of
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Grange-Over-Sands
The Spa at the Netherwood is a recent addition to the hotel and certainly completes your hotel experience. With a luxurious Thermal Suite at its heart spend time in the traditional sauna, revive your senses in the aromatherapy steam room and boost…
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.
Cartmel, Grange-over-Sands
Beginners belly dancing workshop. Fun, professional, great music, props provided as required.
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…
Cartmel
There are 16 elegant, individually designed, guest bedrooms, which are located around the village of Cartmel. Each is designed with their own unique style in mind, whilst retaining references to their historic surroundings – resulting in perfect…
Grange-over-Sands
An inspirational space to learn a new craft, or available for hire for exhibitions and private events.
Grange-over-Sands
An Exhibition of works by Lizzie Mather and Adrian Hohler. A mix of watercolours and oil paintings by two local artists, covering a wide range of subjects. We will also be taking part in the Art& Trail in the Winster Valley on 30th September and…
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
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…
Grange-over-Sands
Country Music Night with Wee Willy Junior - Saturday 30th September
Dance the night away to covers of classic country songs from Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Kenny Rogers and other country favourites!
Doors open 6.30pm, show starts 7pm.
Tickets £6…
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
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.
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
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
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
Experience the thrill of an after-dark adventure and discover how nocturnal creatures make the world their own once the sun goes down.
Cartmel
Coffee and Stays at Cartmel Square has beautiful boutique rooms and it’s very own coffee shop in the centre of Cartmel village. A perfect location when dining at L’Enclume, Aulis or Rogan & Co, or for exploring the Lake District.
Grange-over-Sands
Allelujah is a warm and deeply moving story about old age. When the geriatric ward in a small Yorkshire hospital is threatened with closure, the hospital decides to fight back by galvanizing the local community: they invite a news crew to film their…
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
Buses to and through Grange-over-Sands:
530 Kendal - Grange - Cartmel.
532 Grange - Kents Bank - Flookburgh - Cark - Cartmel.
X6 Barrow - Grange - Kendal.
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