Arnside

Located at the southernmost tip of the Lake District, the former fishing village of Arnside has developed into a popular resort town set in a designated National Landscape.

Food & Drink

Seaside cafes, espresso bars and bakeries jostle for position along the historic promenade - all offering tempting snacks, hot drinks and pastries. When you’re by the sea, you’ve just got to have fish and chips at least once during your stay and the fish and chips at Arnside won’t disappoint!

There’s always plenty of fresh fish on the menu for restaurants in and around Arnside and nearby Sandside, but there’s lots of lovely, local meat too. If you’re lucky enough to be here on a warm day, sit back on a local beer garden and soak in the view over a pint of real ale, a craft lager or a glass of wine, while you enjoy some traditional tasty pub food.

Many of the cafes, pubs and restaurants have the advantage of stunning views across the bay, so what better way to enjoy your beautifully prepared meal, than watching the sun go down across the bay.

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Culture & Heritage

Arnside grew in popularity during the 19th century when pleasure boats sailing from Morecambe and Fleetwood would dock there. Visitors to Arnside can still enjoy a stroll along the Victorian promenade and nothing beats the spectacular sunsets gazing out across the Kent Estuary against the backdrop of the Lakeland fells.

The railway age also had a major impact on Arnside. The construction of the Arnside Viaduct to carry the Furness Railway over the estuary made the village even more accessible and led to a proliferation of grand guesthouses, many of which still line the promenade. Today, Arnside railway station is part of the Cumbrian Coast Line, providing train connections to Grange-over-Sands, Ulverston, Barrow-in-Furness and onwards up the Lake District coast.

The church at nearby Beetham dates back to Norman times and was once an important ecclesiastical centre, with a so-called ‘coffin route’ linking the village to Arnside. En-route is a narrow rock staircase known locally as the Fairy Steps. According to local legend, if you descend the natural stone steps without touching the sides, the fairies will grant your wishes!

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Shopping

If you’re looking for retail therapy, enjoy an eclectic mix of small, independent shops scattered along Arnside promenade. Look out for a quirky selection of local arts and crafts, antiques and ceramics, cards, toys and unusual mementos of your visit which stand out from the crowd. It’s the antithesis to mass produced gifts you might find elsewhere.

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Arnside and Silverdale National Landscape

A haven for birds, rare butterflies and alpine plants, this special place is renowned for its spectacular limestone pavements, ancient woodlands, meadows and coastal scenery.

A fantastic network of footpaths make the National Landscape a great place for walking of all abilities. The National Trust’s 260-acre site at Arnside Knott is perfect for scenic wooded walks with stunning views across Morecambe Bay; walk up to the ‘Pepper Pot’ at nearby Silverdale or wind round the cliff tops along the coastline. This area is renowned for its butterflies in the summer months, including the rare Scotch Argus and High Brown Fritillary. In Arnside itself, visit Dobshall Wood and Grubbins Wood.

For two-wheeled adventures, the Bay Cycle Way (NCN 700) is a great mix of quiet lanes and traffic-free paths which winds its way through the National Landscape.

Discover more about Arnside & Silverdale National Landscape

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Surrounding Areas

Beetham – A little further inland, this attractive village on the banks of the River Bela can trace its lineage back to Anglo-Saxon times, with its ancient church, fortified farmhouse and historic corn mill.

Silverdale - A picturesque coastal village overlooking Morecambe Bay. Located around 8 miles north of Lancaster looking across Morecambe Bay to the Lake District, Silverdale stands within the National Landscape. It’s also home to Leighton Moss, the RSPB coastal nature reserve.

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Did you know?

ST MICHAEL AND ALL ANGEL’S CHURCH

Originally serving the parishioners of Arnside as well as Beetham, At Michaels & All Angels is an ancient church with a fascinating history. Originally dedicated to St Lioba, the Normans rebuilt and changed this dedication to St Michael. Around this time a hoard of silver coins was buried at the base of one of the pillars (re-discovered by accident in 1834). The coins were mainly from the reign of William the Conqueror and his son, Rufus, although some dated back to the time of Edward the Confessor.

ARNSIDE KNOTT

The Knott is a limestone hill of woodland and grassland, brimming with butterflies and enjoying panoramic views over Morecambe Bay. Numerous footpaths wend their way to the summit where a toposcope identifies the surrounding Lakeland fells (on a clear day you can see Blackpool Tower).

LEVENS HALL

One of the finest Elizabethan mansions in the north of England, built around a 13th century pele tower and housing a fine collection of Jacobean furniture, ornate plasterwork and oak panelling. However, most visitors come to admire the topiary gardens – a delightful jumble of fantastical sculptures in box and yew held within a geometrical framework of low box hedges and gravelled paths, and rightly applauded as the finest in the world.

EPHRAIM CHAMBERS

Ephraim Chambers compiled Chambers’ Cyclopaedia of 1728 (the forerunner of modern encyclopedias), went to school at Heversham. He is buried in the cloisters of Westminster Abbey.

FAIRY STEPS

According to legend, if you can climb the narrow Fairy Steps at Beetham without touching the sides, your wishes will come true.

DALLAM HERONRY

 First mentioned in 1778 when a ‘classic battle’ between the herons and a neighbouring rookery was recorded. The rooks won but only after ‘heavy casualties’ were suffered by both sides.