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Grange-over-Sands Morecambe Bay

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Grange-over-Sands

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.

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

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?

John Wilkinson (1728–1808)
The great ironmaster, made his own cast-iron coffin and arranged to be buried in the gardens of his home at Castle Head.
The Cartmel Peninsula
The Cartmel Peninsula has an extensive network of public footpaths and peaceful lanes that are ideal for walking and cycling.
Lakeland Miniature Village
The talented Edward Robinson created an impressive collection of miniature buildings hand-made out of local slate and set in naturalistic surroundings.
Flookburgh Steam Gathering
The Cumbria Steam & Vintage Vehicle Society Ltd has been bringing together vintage vehicles to Cark Airfield in Flookburgh, for one massive summer gathering for over four decades.
Ornamental Gardens
Semi-tropical plantings of trees and shrubs surround the centrepiece pond with its colourful array of ducks and geese from all over the world.
Promenade Gardens
The promenade walk is backed by tropical palms and ornamental shrubs and overlooks the marshes of Morecambe Bay.

Highlights

Activities in Lakeland (Grange-over-Sands)

Activities in Lakeland take the hassle out of arranging activities and events in the lake district…

The Lakeland Cottage Company

Within the county of Cumbria the Lake District is a unique landscape of beautiful lakes and…

The Cumbria Grand Hotel

The Cumbria Grand Hotel, built in 1880, is located 15 minutes from the M6 and is only a short drive…

Grange over Sands

This is one of the easiest rides in the South Lakeland with the added bonus that if you time your…

Lindale

This gently undulating ride is surprisingly quiet bearing in mind its location within the…

Grange Hotel

The four-star Grange Hotel is ideally located on the southern fringe of the English Lakes, on the…

Woodlands Country House Hotel

Beautiful secluded setting. The Woodlands Hotel & Pine Lodges is an ideal base for touring the Lake…

Buses to and through Grange

Buses to and through Grange-over-Sands: 530 Kendal - Grange - Cartmel. 532 Grange - Kents Bank -…

Wycombe Holiday Flats

Wycombe Holiday Flats are known for their comfort, facilities, situation, panoramic views and good…

Watching the sun go down over Morecambe Bay is the stuff memories are made of

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Number of results: 14

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Activities in Lakeland (Grange-over-Sands)

Address

various locations in the Lakes, Grange-over-Sands

Telephone
015395 35999

info@lakesactivities.co.uk

Grange-over-Sands

Activities in Lakeland take the hassle out of arranging activities and events in the lake district.
With 20 years' experience of organising activity packages, breaks and events exclusively around the Lake District, we have the local knowledge to…

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The Lakeland Cottage Company

Address

Woodside, Charney Road, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, LA11 6BP

Telephone
0870 4425814

hannah.jury@travelchapter.com

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.

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The Cumbria Grand Hotel

Address

Lindale Road, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, LA11 6EN

Telephone
015395 32331

salescumbria@strathmorehotels.com

Grange-over-Sands

The Cumbria Grand Hotel, built in 1880, is located 15 minutes from the M6 and is only a short drive from the majestic Lake Windermere.

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Grange over Sands

Address

Grange-over-Sands

informationcentre@grangeoversands.net

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.

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Lindale

Address

Grange, LA11 6LJ

informationcentre@grangeoversands.net

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

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Grange Hotel

Address

Station Square, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, LA11 6EJ

Telephone
015395 33666

info@grange-hotel.co.uk

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.

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Woodlands Country House Hotel

Address

Meathop, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, LA11 6RB

Telephone
01539 534128

whpl.admin@gmail.com

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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Buses to and through Grange

Address

Grange over Sands, Grange-over-Sands

Telephone
0871 200 22 33

informationcentre@grangeoversands.net

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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Wycombe Holiday Flats

Address

22 The Esplanade, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, LA11 7HH

Telephone
033 033 00033

mail@whf.info

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.

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The Estuary

Address

Main Street, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, LA11 6DY

Telephone
015394 48242

info@estuary-grange.co.uk

Grange-over-Sands

Grange-over-Sands neighbourhood bistro and bar open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Enjoy good food, fine wines, cocktails, and gins with the best views of Morecambe Bay.

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Spring Bank Cottage

Address

Spring Bank Farm, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, LA11 6HA

Telephone
015395 32606

sbcottagegrange@hotmail.co.uk

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.

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Woodlands Pine Lodges

Address

Meathop, Grange over Sands, Cumbria, LA11 6RB

Telephone
01539 534128

whpl.admin@gmail.com

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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Vilcabamba

Address

5 Bell Hill Park, Lindale, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, LA11 6JZ

Telephone
0161 797 0804

brenda@vilcabamba.org.uk

Grange-over-Sands

Detached bungalow sleeps 4 (plus cot). Quiet village location with open aspect. Pretty gardens with the back garden fully enclosed. Easy access and within 20 minutes of the M6.

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Clare House

Address

Park Road, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, LA11 7HQ

Telephone
015395 33026

info@clarehousehotel.co.uk

Grange-over-Sands

Situated in its' own grounds, overlooking Morecambe Bay, with access to the mile long promenade from the garden.

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