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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?
An exciting season of horse racing, over 9 race dates with entertainment for the whole family.
The Courtyard Cafe offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere and specialises in local and seasonal…
The Netherwood Hotel and Spa is a stunning country house hotel on the edge of Grange over Sands…
Home by Simon Rogan is an award-winning, monthly-changing three-course menu service, created by…
A prestigious location, acres of tranquil, rural countryside and the very heart of the Lake…
Between the high fells of the Lake District and the sands of Morecambe Bay lies the unspoilt…
Spring Bank Cottage is peacefully situated in a lovely location in the countryside, yet only a few…
Situated in its' own grounds, overlooking Morecambe Bay, with access to the mile long promenade…
Within the county of Cumbria the Lake District is a unique landscape of beautiful lakes and…
Wall Nook is located in lovely countryside just over a mile from the charming, foodie village of…
Cartmel Priory has been described as the medieval jewel among churches, making a lasting impression…
Experience the thrill of an after-dark adventure and discover how nocturnal creatures make the…
Situated in the heart of the picturesque coastal town of Grange over Sands, with its splendid…
The Spa at the Netherwood is a recent addition to the hotel and certainly completes your hotel…
St. Peter's is an outstanding example of the decorated style of architecture, with its warm red…
Gilbert & Sullivan aficionados will be delighted to see the return of Musical Theatre & Charles…
Are you yearning for a weekend adventure? Are you a cycling enthusiast or a dedicated trail running…
There are 16 elegant, individually designed, guest bedrooms, which are located around the village…
Unique, therapeutic & life-changing experiences for all animal lovers with the famous Black Horses…
The Cumbria Steam Gathering takes place annually over the last weekend in July. Our home since 1986…
Cartmel Racecourse is a truly unique location - home to Summer Jump horseracing with added delights…
This is one of the easiest rides in the South Lakeland with the added bonus that if you time your…
The Netherwood is a beautiful Grade II listed Victorian Mansion standing in 15 acres of woodland…
Cartmel Art Society are pleased to be opening their 2024 Summer Art & Craft Exhibition at Cartmel…
Watching the sun go down over Morecambe Bay is the stuff memories are made of
Number of results: 56
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Cartmel, Grange-over-Sands
An exciting season of horse racing, over 9 race dates with entertainment for the whole family.
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
The Netherwood Hotel and Spa is a stunning country house hotel on the edge of Grange over Sands with outstanding views over Morecambe Bay. Offering comfortable accommodation it is an ideal base from which to explore the Southern Lakes.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
134 reviewsFlookburgh
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…
Cark, 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.
Between the high fells of the Lake District and the sands of Morecambe Bay lies the unspoilt landscape of Furness. This walk guides you along
ancient paths and byways through a landscape shaped by monks and merchantmen, by fishermen and shipbuilders…
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.
Grange-over-Sands
Situated in its' own grounds, overlooking Morecambe Bay, with access to the mile long promenade from the garden.
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
Wall Nook is located in lovely countryside just over a mile from the charming, foodie village of Cartmel.
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.
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.
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
222 reviewsGrange-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
St. Peter's is an outstanding example of the decorated style of architecture, with its warm red sandstone and distinctive shingled spire and clay tiled roof, an unusual feature in the Lake District.
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
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…
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…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
528 reviewsGrange-over-Sands
Unique, therapeutic & life-changing experiences for all animal lovers with the famous Black Horses of Cartmel.
Flookburgh, Grange-over-Sands
The Cumbria Steam Gathering takes place annually over the last weekend in July. Our home since 1986 has been Cark Airfield, Flookburgh, Grange over Sands LA11 7LS by kind permission of Mr J Latham and Sons.
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