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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?
Thornleigh Christian Hotel is a happy, relaxed holiday destination, a safe place to holiday alone…
Our Shop, housed in an historic medieval Priory gatehouse, in Cartmel village square, sells a…
Lakeland Segway is the best place to Segway in the Lakes. Offering guided Segway tours around the…
Home by Simon Rogan is an award-winning, monthly-changing three-course menu service, created by…
Pine Lodges (sleep 4) with Sauna & spa bath. In a beautiful setting in the heart of a 5 acre wood,…
The Netherwood is a beautiful Grade II listed Victorian Mansion standing in 15 acres of woodland…
A Day’s Walk is a unique online food and drink shop and delivery service for self-catering holiday…
Situated in the heart of the picturesque coastal town of Grange over Sands, with its splendid…
Artisan Produce Shop dedicated to Lake District Producers. Everything stocked comes from a…
Within the county of Cumbria the Lake District is a unique landscape of beautiful lakes and…
This gently undulating ride is surprisingly quiet bearing in mind its location within the…
Situated in its' own grounds, overlooking Morecambe Bay, with access to the mile long promenade…
Cartmel Art Society are pleased to be opening their 2024 Summer Art & Craft Exhibition at Cartmel…
The Netherwood Hotel and Spa is a stunning country house hotel on the edge of Grange over Sands…
Greaves Farm Caravan Park is family run park in beautiful countryside on the fringe of the Lake…
Unique, therapeutic & life-changing experiences for all animal lovers with the famous Black Horses…
Buses to and through Grange-over-Sands: 530 Kendal - Grange - Cartmel. 532 Grange - Kents Bank -…
This is one of the easiest rides in the South Lakeland with the added bonus that if you time your…
Cumbria Grand Hotel is a stunning Victorian property in the town of Grange over Sands. 124 bedroom…
Experience the thrill of an after-dark adventure and discover how nocturnal creatures make the…
Spring Bank Cottage is peacefully situated in a lovely location in the countryside, yet only a few…
Gilbert & Sullivan aficionados will be delighted to see the return of Musical Theatre & Charles…
The four-star Grange Hotel is ideally located on the southern fringe of the English Lakes, on the…
Selling the famous Cartmel Sticky Toffee Pudding and fantastic other local produce and speciality…
Watching the sun go down over Morecambe Bay is the stuff memories are made of
Number of results: 56
, currently showing 41 to 56.
Cartmel
Coffee and Stays at Cartmel Square has beautiful boutique rooms and it’s very own coffee shop in the centre of Cartmel village. A perfect location when dining at L’Enclume, Aulis or Rogan & Co, or for exploring the Lake District.
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…
Cartmel
L'Enclume is Simon Rogan's iconic flagship restaurant in the Lake District, where culinary creativity harnesses the powerful connection between food and nature.
Known for its truly unique offering in the UK restaurant scene, both for its warm,…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
3171 reviewsGrange-over-Sands
Wall Nook is located in lovely countryside just over a mile from the charming, foodie village of Cartmel.
Cartmel, 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
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
Enjoy a unique experience and the first of its kind in the World! For animal lovers of any age, spend time with one of our beautiful Friesian Horses or miniature shetland MR JB and share a self-catering stable for the night.
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.
Cartmel, 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.
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
1191 reviewsGrange-over-Sands
The Cumbria Grand Hotel offers two great places to eat – The Hazelwood Restaurant and The Jacobean Bar. Utilising as many local ingredients as can be and allowing local dishes to influence the menus, the food gives you a real taste of the Lake…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
1577 reviewsCumbria
This short ride has a bit of everything- the delights of Cartmel with its Priory, lovely square and range of cafes, pubs and restaurants, a chance to walk to the end of Humphrey Head for spectacular views of Morecambe Bay...
Flookburgh, GRANGE-OVER-SANDS
Free electric bike charging point, located at Bespoke e-Bikes.
Grange-over-Sands
Hire an all-terrain mobility scooter from Grange Library and enjoy a choice of two all-ability routes taking in the awe-inspiring vistas of the Bay. We run this service in partnership with the Community Hub at the Vic and rely on volunteers being…
Cark
Grange-over-Sands
Privately owned and run by Sam and Ian, Ellenboro House has been operating since 2012. We designed our accommodation and business around the type of places we like to stay, so we hope you love it as much as we do. Our rooms are chic, comfortable…
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