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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.
New for 2024 – Mobility scooter and E-bike hire available from Morecambe Bay Partnership. Book in advance here.
Did you know?
Cartmel Priory has been described as the medieval jewel among churches, making a lasting impression…
Enjoy a variety of meat, fish, cheese and vegetarian finger sandwiches along with home-made pork…
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L'Enclume is Simon Rogan's iconic flagship restaurant in the Lake District, where culinary…
The Cumbria Steam Gathering takes place annually over the last weekend in July. Our home since 1986…
Cartmel Art Society are pleased to be opening their 2024 Summer Art & Craft Exhibition at Cartmel…
Gilbert & Sullivan aficionados will be delighted to see the return of Musical Theatre & Charles…
Lakeland Segway is the best place to Segway in the Lakes. Offering guided Segway tours around the…
A prestigious location, acres of tranquil, rural countryside and the very heart of the Lake…
Situated in the heart of the picturesque coastal town of Grange over Sands, with its splendid…
There are 16 elegant, individually designed, guest bedrooms, which are located around the village…
Cumbria Grand Hotel is a stunning Victorian property in the town of Grange over Sands. 124 bedroom…
Buses to and through Grange-over-Sands: 530 Kendal - Grange - Cartmel. 532 Grange - Kents Bank -…
Are you yearning for a weekend adventure? Are you a cycling enthusiast or a dedicated trail running…
Cartmel Racecourse is a truly unique location - home to Summer Jump horseracing with added delights…
A fascinating historic house where the elegance and loveliness of the Victorian era combine with…
Wall Nook is located in lovely countryside just over a mile from the charming, foodie village of…
The Courtyard Cafe offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere and specialises in local and seasonal…
The Cumbria Grand Hotel offers two great places to eat – The Hazelwood Restaurant and The Jacobean…
The Netherwood Hotel and Spa is a stunning country house hotel on the edge of Grange over Sands…
Enjoy a unique experience and the first of its kind in the World! For animal lovers of any age,…
At the Netherwood you can enjoy a traditional selection of sandwiches, scones with jam and cream…
St. Peter's is an outstanding example of the decorated style of architecture, with its warm red…
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
Buses to and through Grange-over-Sands:
530 Kendal - Grange - Cartmel.
532 Grange - Kents Bank - Flookburgh - Cark - Cartmel.
X6 Barrow - Grange - Kendal.
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
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
At the Netherwood you can enjoy a traditional selection of sandwiches, scones with jam and cream and a delicious selection of cakes. Served with tea or coffee of your choice , why not add a glass of bubbly to make it extra special.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
134 reviewsGrange-over-Sands
Are you yearning for a weekend adventure? Are you a cycling enthusiast or a dedicated trail running aficionado? Look no further than Wild Goat Festival (31st May-2nd June), a weekend of running the trails and gravel cycling set in the heart of the…
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…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
1190 reviewsGrange-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.
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.
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
Our annual Spring Fair returns on May 11th and 12th with the always popular 'Fun Dog Show' running both days. We'll also have live entertainment & music, great food & drinks and fabulous shopping. Admission to the Hall & Gardens is included in the…
Cartmel
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.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
770 reviewsCark-in-Cartmel
Artisan Produce Shop dedicated to Lake District Producers. Everything stocked comes from a producer, grower or maker in Cumbria.
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…
Grange-over-Sands
As part of Lake District Music's spring concert series Austrian pianist Hanna Bachmann performs at Holker Hall.
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
Gilbert & Sullivan aficionados will be delighted to see the return of Musical Theatre & Charles Court Opera to the Ulverston International Music Festival with the rarely-performed masterpiece 'The Sorcerer' at the elegant Victoria Hall in Grange.
Grange-over-Sands
Situated in the heart of the picturesque coastal town of Grange over Sands, with its splendid Promenade, The "Grange Boutique" provides a great base for exploring the magnificent Lake District National Park, the Lake District Peninsula and the…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
223 reviewsGrange-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
Enjoy a variety of meat, fish, cheese and vegetarian finger sandwiches along with home-made pork sausage rolls, followed by a selection of sweet treats including sultana scones filled with strawberry jam and Chantilly cream with fresh strawberries;…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
1577 reviewsCartmel, Grange-over-Sands
Cartmel Priory is the majestic setting for our choral concert, with a performance of Fauré's much-loved 'Requiem' by the Ulverston Festival Chorus. Together with music by Stanford and Vaughan Williams.
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