Grange-over-Sands is also called the "Lakeland Riviera", since the influence of the Gulf Stream gives it an exceptionally mild climate. It was historically in Lancashire, but re-assigned to Cumbria in 1974.
This guide also covers the nearby villages of Cartmel, famous for its Sticky toffee pudding and Flookburgh.
Understand
There is a mile-long seaside promenade walk. The prom was built in 1904 and is especially lovely in spring with its colourful borders full of flowers and spring bulbs. There some great shops and lovely ornamental gardens with a collection rare ducks. There are plenty of cafés and tearooms to enjoy a cream tea or tasty lunch.
Until the Furness railway was built across the bay in 1857, the town was reached by crossing the dangerous sands of Morecambe Bay at low tide. Stage coaches towards Scotland crossed the sands rather than struggle over the Lakeland hills, so Grange became part of Lancashire. The railway further tied it to Lancashire because of local iron ore and metal-bashing industry. In 1974 there were major changes to the county boundary and Grange-over-Sands was re-assigned to Cumbria along with Barrow-in-Furness.
Guided walks across the sands are available today to make the 8-mile crossing, which takes around 3 hours.
Get in
By train
Grange-over-Sands has trains from Lancaster, which is on the main line between London Euston and Glasgow. You normally change there, but direct trains run from Manchester Airport and Piccadilly via Preston. From Lancaster the trains call at Carnforth, Silverdale, Arnside, then cross the bay to Grange-over-Sands and continue to Cark, Ulverston, Dalton and Barrow-in-Furness. They're hourly M-Sa and every couple of hours on Sunday.
Get around
See
- Hampsfield Fell
- Cartmel Fell
- 1 Cartmel Priory. Founded in 1190
- Lakeland Miniature Village, Winder Ln, Flookburgh, LA11 7LE. Mar-Oct: 10:30AM-5PM. £4.
- Duckys Park Farm, Moor Ln, Flookburgh.
- 2 Holker Hall, Cark LA11 7PL, ☏ 44 15395 58328. W-Su 10:30-16:00. Grand mansion dating from 16th century, but the Jacobean style is a 19th century make-over. With large formal gardens. Adult £13, child free.
Do
- Cartmel Racecourse.
- Grange-over-Sands Golf Club.
- North West Parachute Centre (skydive northwest).
Buy
Eat
- 1 L'Enclume (L'Enclume), Cavendish Street, Cartmel, LA11 6PZ, ☏ 44 15395 36362. One of the finest restaurants in England, with 2 Michelin Stars in 2019. Also offers accommodation. tasting menu £155, lunch £65.
- The Mallard. tea shop
Drink
- The Rose & Crown.
Sleep
- 1 Lakeland Leisure Park (Lakeland Caravan Park), Moor Lane, Flookburgh, LA11 7LT, ☏ 44 871 2310883. One of the parks of the Haven Holidays chain.
- 2 Hardcragg Hall, 4 Grange Fell Road, LA11 6BJ, ☏ 44 7770 730 371. Self-catering accommodation in historic Hardcragg Hall, a 16th-century manor house visited by Beatrix Potter.
- Clare House Hotel, Park Road, Grange-over-Sands LA11 7HQ, ☏ 44 1539 533026. Grand little hotel in Victorian villa, gets great reviews for comfort and service. Assistance dogs only. B&B double £180.
- 3 Aynsome Manor, Aynsome Lane, Cartmel LA11 6HH, ☏ 44 1539 536653. Charming manor house in Vale of Cartmel, great comfort and cuisine. Open Feb - late Dec. B&B double £150.