You are here: Home > Explore > Areas of Cumbria > Morecambe Bay > Towns and Villages > 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?
Bright, modern hotel in the heart of Barrow in Furness with free WI-FI and breakfast included..
Located in Windermere village, in the heart of the Lake District.
Buses to and through St Bees: 20 Whitehaven - St Bees. 830 Egremont - St Bees. X6 Millom -…
The fells just west of Ambleside are gentler than the higher fells and offer a good introduction to…
Aptly named after the infamous “blue bags” that were manufactured here until 1982 in this very…
From the heights of Skiddaw to the silvan beauty of Thirlmere, this accessible area is a delight to…
Welcome to Lakeland's oldest, longest and most scenic railway! La'aL Ratty, the little Cumbrian…
From Keswick: Take the A66 west towards Cockermouth. At Braithwaite turn west onto the B5292 for…
Float back to Victorian times as you indulge in a luxurious cruise on captivating Coniston water in…
On the Brathay river, Colwith Force is a stunning waterfall with a drop of 55ft. Look for the A593…
We specialise in luxury Lake District holiday cottages located in the South Lakes area, around…
Enamel is a decorative coating of coloured glass fused to metal. It is a really exciting process …
Located on the shores of Coniston Water with sensational lake and fell views, this classic Lakeland…
Booths is a family owned and operated independent supermarket with over 160 years tradition of…
Offering superb Lake Views, large open green space, picnic tables and parking nearby, Borans Park…
Bearing around Beacon Hill in low gears initially, you’ll enter and traverse the broad undulating…
This 4 star self catering cottage is situated in the heart of the historic market town of Kirkby…
Located at Lowther Village Hall, Hackthorpe. Recycle Cans, Foil, Glass, Paper, Card, Plastics and…
Wallsend Guest House & Glamping Pods is set along the Solway Coast, a wildlife-rich AONB, & offers…
The history of the Ravenglass and Eskdale railway told with relics, models, photographs and a…
Country Fair will hound and terrier shows, companion dog show, falconry display, terrier racing,…
A much loved historic family home, set against the grandeur and picturesque splendour of the…
Discover the secret places of the Lake District only accessible by kayak, just waiting for you to…
The hotel is surrounded by award-winning gardens on the banks of the river Derwent. Many of the…
Watching the sun go down over Morecambe Bay is the stuff memories are made of
Number of results: 37
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Grange-over-Sands
We specialise in luxury Lake District holiday cottages located in the South Lakes area, around Cartmel village and near Coniston Water.
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.
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
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!
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
A wonderful six-bedroom end-terrace house situated in the picturesque Edwardian town of Grange-over-Sands with partial views over the Morecambe Bay Estuary. The location is near to the popular Cartmel Village and within easy reach of Coniston and…
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.
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
Home of The Black Horses Friesian Experience, farm location with stunning views over South Lakeland village of Cartmel - foodie heaven! Known for Horse Racing, Michelin Star restaurants and its famous Sticky Toffee Pudding.
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.
Newby Bridge, Ulverston
THE LAP is a 47 mile trail ultra marathon around Lake Windermere, open to both runners and walkers.
A way-marked route with generous cut-offs; it makes a great introduction to longer races or a fast, low level option for experienced racers.…
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
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.
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.
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…
Ayside, Cartmel, Grange-over-Sands
Amazing interactive bird of prey experiences for all ages. Choose either the woodland and parkland by lake Windermere or the thrill of the Lakeland fells. Eagles, hawks, falcons and owls. Gift vouchers are available.
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
Wycombe Holiday Flats are known for their comfort, facilities, situation, panoramic views and good value. Grange-over-Sands' mild climate and relative dryness make it an ideal venue for Lakeland holidays throughout the year.
Grange-over-Sands
Wall Nook is located in lovely countryside just over a mile from the charming, foodie village of Cartmel.
Cartmel, Grange-over-Sands
Horse racing outdoor events
Receive all the latest news, special offers and information from the Lake District, Cumbria
Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL