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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?
Home of The Black Horses Friesian Experience, farm location with stunning views over South Lakeland…
This is one of the easiest rides in the South Lakeland with the added bonus that if you time your…
A prestigious location, acres of tranquil, rural countryside and the very heart of the Lake…
Buses to and through Grange-over-Sands: 530 Kendal - Grange - Cartmel. 532 Grange - Kents Bank -…
Artisan Produce Shop dedicated to Lake District Producers. Everything stocked comes from a…
The Cumbria Steam Gathering takes place annually over the last weekend in July. Our home since 1986…
Coffee and Stays at Cartmel Square has beautiful boutique rooms and it’s very own coffee shop in…
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…
Enjoy a variety of meat, fish, cheese and vegetarian finger sandwiches along with home-made pork…
Are you yearning for a weekend adventure? Are you a cycling enthusiast or a dedicated trail running…
Cartmel Priory is the majestic setting for our choral concert, with a performance of Fauré's…
Cumbria Grand Hotel is a stunning Victorian property in the town of Grange over Sands. 124 bedroom…
Unique, therapeutic & life-changing experiences for all animal lovers with the famous Black Horses…
Greaves Farm Caravan Park is small, family run park in beautiful countryside on the fringe of the…
Spring Bank Cottage is peacefully situated in a lovely location in the countryside, yet only a few…
Lakeland Segway is the best place to Segway in the Lakes. Offering guided Segway tours around the…
Our Shop, housed in an historic medieval Priory gatehouse, in Cartmel village square, sells a…
Between the high fells of the Lake District and the sands of Morecambe Bay lies the unspoilt…
A Day’s Walk is a unique online food and drink shop and delivery service for self-catering holiday…
Situated in its' own grounds, overlooking Morecambe Bay, with access to the mile long promenade…
The Cumbria Grand Hotel offers two great places to eat – The Hazelwood Restaurant and The Jacobean…
L'Enclume is Simon Rogan's iconic flagship restaurant in the Lake District, where culinary…
The Spa at the Netherwood is a recent addition to the hotel and certainly completes your hotel…
Watching the sun go down over Morecambe Bay is the stuff memories are made of
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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.
This is one of the easiest rides in the South Lakeland with the added bonus that if you time your trip right you can visit the ice cream factory at Holme Farm, just east of Grange.
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.
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.
Cark-in-Cartmel
Artisan Produce Shop dedicated to Lake District Producers. Everything stocked comes from a producer, grower or maker in Cumbria.
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.
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.
Cartmel Fell, Grange over Sands
Join nature expert, Gemma and local photographer, Ginny Koppenhol for a nature experience with a twist.
Saturday 4th May 10am - 2pm, £65 per person, tasty vegetarian picnic lunch included.
This spring we're teaming up with Hare Hill Barn, a great…
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
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 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…
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
Cumbria Grand Hotel is a stunning Victorian property in the town of Grange over Sands.
124 bedroom comfortable en-suite bedrooms, many with bay views across Morecambe Bay.
Ample free parking in the hotel car park and the hotel offers free WiFi in…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
1577 reviewsGrange-over-Sands
Unique, therapeutic & life-changing experiences for all animal lovers with the famous Black Horses of Cartmel.
Grange-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
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.
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 reviewsCartmel, Grange-over-Sands
Our Shop, housed in an historic medieval Priory gatehouse, in Cartmel village square, sells a variety of carefully selected products, including hampers and gift sets, by renowned chef and restauranteur Simon Rogan, available either online or by…
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…
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