Local Charm
SILVERDALE & ARNSIDE
Considered an internationally important wildlife area and one of the 46 designated ‘National Landscapes’ of outstanding natural beauty in England Wales and Northern Ireland , Silverdale & Arnside is famous for its amazing wildlife, stunning scenery and superb walks. From the historical site of The Pepperpot, to the vistas seen from Jack Scout and the tidal phenomenon of the Arnside Bore. A must visit is the RSPB Nature Reserve at Leighton Moss, the largest reedbed in the North West and home to Otters, Bearded Tits , Bitterns and more!. Arnside promenade is home to pubs and cafes and shops offering quirky and unique gifts .
KIRKBY LONSDALE
Kirkby Lonsdale is an enchanting historic market town with charming 18th century buildings and stone cottages huddled around cobbled courtyards and narrow alleyways. The town’s fine architecture blends in beautifully with the picturesque landscape. Despite its quaint appearance, the town is a hive of activity, hosting a great calendar of local events, a weekly market held on Thursdays and a monthly farmers’ market offering delicious locally-grown and sourced produce.
Traditional bakers and coffee shops sit alongside designer jewellery, fashion and home décor retailers; award-winning bars and restaurants intertwined with tempting delis – all within the breath-taking landscape of the Lune Valley. Nearby are the picturesque villages of Casterton, Barbon and Ingleton which has connections with Arthur Conan Doyle’s fictional character Sherlock Holmes.
GARSTANG
Garstang has maintained its natural charm by supporting its contemporary independent retailers. The market dates back to the early 1300’s and the days of Edward II and the Market Cross at the top of the high street, one of the most familiar landmarks in the area.
Combining its distinct character, historic location and traditional roads that veer off the high street, your shopping experience in Garstang will be varied and unique.
The traditional weekly outdoor market is held every Thursday. This popular market stretches the length of the high street offering a variety of stalls with everything you need from children’s clothes to plants and household goods.
GRANGE-OVER-SANDS
Grange-over-Sands is a peaceful seaside retreat with an Edwardian feel, located between the mountains and the coast of the Southern face of the Cartmel peninsula. With the estuary, nearby countryside, nature reserves and ornamental gardens, it’s the ideal location for nature enthusiasts and offers stunning walks and views looking out across the bay. A trip through the centre offers lots of delightful shops to browse, from trendy outfitters to butchers offering bespoke artisan produce. There are some excellent restaurants and cafes to enjoy, including Clare House whose menus have been inspired by the area’s fresh, local and seasonal produce.
ULVERSTON
With independent shops, traditional markets, beautiful walks, welcoming cafes & pubs and unique attractions Ulverston has much to offer. The events capital of Furness hosts a series of
specialist events throughout the year, where visitors can also
sample the town’s cosy pubs, traditional markets and cultural
hotspots. Look out for the colourfully rendered houses, cobbled streets and quirky alleyways Birthplace of Stan Laurel, Ulverston
is home to The Laurel and Hardy Museum located in the delightful 1930s Roxy Cinema. Don’t miss the Laurel and Hardy Statue outside Coronation Hall which Stan and Ollie visited in 1947.
https://www.baytourism.co.uk/events
Wherever you base yourselves around the bay, there are opportunities to venture into the great outdoors. Explore the landscape and discover the countryside, canals, coast and towns.
Both the Lancashire and Cumbria Coastal Ways pass through the Bay linking up existing footpaths and rights of way, some of which are not well marked, but this will change when they become part of the England Coast Path. You will be rewarded by the ever-changing magnificent views to the sea and to the land.
For the ultimate thrill why not join a Cross Bay walk led by the King’s Guide to Morecambe Bay. This is a 6 to 8 mile walk and will be a once in a lifetime experience. Monies raised from these walks go to charities. But a note of caution – walking across the bay should never be attempted independently as the tides and quick sands can be treacherous!
If you want to explore one of the bay towns such as Barrow, Ulverston, Grange, Lancaster and Morecambe this is best done on foot and there are lots of downloadable routes online.
The two National Landscapes of the Forest of Bowland and Arnside and Silverdale are linked by the Carnforth canal walks. 4 easy walks of between 4.5 and 6 miles allow ample time and opportunity to explore the countryside.
An interesting link between city and countryside is the River Lune Millennium Park which stretches some 15km along the banks of the river Lune from Bull Beck near Caton to Salt Ayre in Lancaster.
It has linked footpaths and cycle ways, and the route is decorated with unusual and thought provoking artworks and information points. The Millennium Bridge is for cyclists and pedestrians and the pathway between Lancaster and Caton is a good way to see some interesting features on and around the river.
The River Lune is noted for its salmon with September and October being the best times to see them. Over 13,000 salmon and sea trout are now recorded annually in the Lune. This footpath is also accessible for pushchairs and wheelchairs.
For ideas, tips and inspiration for walking, cycling and accessible routes, a new journey planner website is available –
visit www.waysaroundthebay.org.uk
ACCESSIBLE TRAILS
Discover the wide range of accessible trails around Morecambe Bay and where you can hire a Tramper, mobility scooter or powered wheelchair for free. With hire points located all around Morecambe Bay, there is somewhere new
waiting to be discovered today. For more information see the Morecambe Bay Partnership website:
www.waysaroundthebay.org.uk/plan-your-route/scenic
For accessible holidays in Lancashire and Cumbria see:
www.visitlancashire.com/things-to-do/accessible-days-out
www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/visiting/accessible-for-all
GUIDED WALKS
Guided walks are a great way to explore the Morecambe Bay area and to learn more about its culture, history and heritage. Discover historic Lancaster with award-winning Blue Badge guide Gregory Wright of Lancaster Walks Talks and Tours or go back in time with costumed guide Tom Hudson for a Georgian and Regency themed walk. New for 2025: Lancaster City Museums Story Tours, city-wide guided walks with expert tour guides. Over in Morecambe, historian and tour guide Peter Wade is celebrating his 30th year leading tours of the district and is once again showcasing Morecambe’s seaside heritage and the area’s hidden gems. Fancy a walk across Morecambe Bay’s magnificent sands? Then join Michael Wilson, the King’s Guide to the Kent Estuary for the world famous Morecambe Bay Walks. One for the bucket list! Then head inland to the beautiful Lune Valley to discover Kirkby Lonsdale’s rich cultural history with a Guided Vault Walk. Further south, Wyre Council organises a full programme of guided walks for the whole year. Some are flat routes and are accessible for trampers and wheelchair users. For more details see our events calendar www.baytourism.co.uk/events
Wherever you base yourselves around the bay, there are opportunities to venture into the great outdoors. Explore the landscape and discover the countryside, canals, coast and towns.
Both the Lancashire and Cumbria Coastal Ways pass through the Bay linking up existing footpaths and rights of way, some of which are not well marked, but this will change when they become part of the England Coast Path. You will be rewarded by the ever-changing magnificent views to the sea and to the land.
For the ultimate thrill why not join a Cross Bay walk led by the King’s Guide to Morecambe Bay. This is a 6 to 8 mile walk and will be a once in a lifetime experience. Monies raised from these walks go to charities. But a note of caution – walking across the bay should never be attempted independently as the tides and quick sands can be treacherous!
If you want to explore one of the bay towns such as Barrow, Ulverston, Grange, Lancaster and Morecambe this is best done on foot and there are lots of downloadable routes online.
The two National Landscapes of the Forest of Bowland and Arnside and Silverdale are linked by the Carnforth canal walks. 4 easy walks of between 4.5 and 6 miles allow ample time and opportunity to explore the countryside.
An interesting link between city and countryside is the River Lune Millennium Park which stretches some 15km along the banks of the river Lune from Bull Beck near Caton to Salt Ayre in Lancaster.
It has linked footpaths and cycle ways, and the route is decorated with unusual and thought provoking artworks and information points. The Millennium Bridge is for cyclists and pedestrians and the pathway between Lancaster and Caton is a good way to see some interesting features on and around the river.
The River Lune is noted for its salmon with September and October being the best times to see them. Over 13,000 salmon and sea trout are now recorded annually in the Lune. This footpath is also accessible for pushchairs and wheelchairs.
For ideas, tips and inspiration for walking, cycling and accessible routes, a new journey planner website is available –
visit www.waysaroundthebay.org.uk
ACCESSIBLE TRAILS
Discover the wide range of accessible trails around Morecambe Bay and where you can hire a Tramper, mobility scooter or powered wheelchair for free. With hire points located all around Morecambe Bay, there is somewhere new
waiting to be discovered today. For more information see the Morecambe Bay Partnership website:
www.waysaroundthebay.org.uk/plan-your-route/scenic
For accessible holidays in Lancashire and Cumbria see:
www.visitlancashire.com/things-to-do/accessible-days-out
www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/visiting/accessible-for-all
GUIDED WALKS
Guided walks are a great way to explore the Morecambe Bay area and to learn more about its culture, history and heritage. Discover historic Lancaster with award-winning Blue Badge guide Gregory Wright of Lancaster Walks Talks and Tours or go back in time with costumed guide Tom Hudson for a Georgian and Regency themed walk. New for 2025: Lancaster City Museums Story Tours, city-wide guided walks with expert tour guides. Over in Morecambe, historian and tour guide Peter Wade is celebrating his 30th year leading tours of the district and is once again showcasing Morecambe’s seaside heritage and the area’s hidden gems. Fancy a walk across Morecambe Bay’s magnificent sands? Then join Michael Wilson, the King’s Guide to the Kent Estuary for the world famous Morecambe Bay Walks. One for the bucket list! Then head inland to the beautiful Lune Valley to discover Kirkby Lonsdale’s rich cultural history with a Guided Vault Walk. Further south, Wyre Council organises a full programme of guided walks for the whole year. Some are flat routes and are accessible for trampers and wheelchair users. For more details see our events calendar https://www.baytourism.co.uk/events
CARTMEL
The Medieval village of Cartmel has an extremely rich heritage; ancient streets wind their way out of the square waiting to be explored, emanating from the 12th century priory itself at the heart of the village. Steeped in history and tradition, this beautiful location showcases the best of what Cumbria has to offer, alongside giving a
true taste of English village life. Browsers will delight in finding all kinds of Lakeland products – from gifts and clothing to fine art and antiques.
Unsworth Yard can be found near the centre, with a brewery, artisan shops that include, Cartmel Cheeses, the Drinkshop & Wine Snug and The Mallard Tea Rooms. There are several unusual gift shops in Cartmel, each selling their own blend
of unique gifts and on the 3rd Friday of every month the village hosts an excellent food market, where you’ll no doubt find their famous Sticky Toffee Pudding – a purchase you should certainly make if you choose to visit this wonderful place. Cartmel is
also home to the 3 Michelin star L’Enclume Restaurant, owned by renowned chef Simon Rogan.
THE VILLAGES OF WYRE
Take a trip to one of these many beautiful villages scattered around the River Wyre, connected by a historical network of rural country lanes – the ideal location to escape city life and unwind.
Enjoy browsing the unique shops in Hambleton, enjoy a delicious afternoon tea in one of Scorton’s quirky cafés or try out the freshest local produce available at the regular farmers markets in Great Eccleston and Poulton-le-Fylde.
Have afternoon tea in one of the cafes in Scorton, picnic on Harris End Fell and enjoy some of the most spectacular views in the country, amble round the charming Over Wyre villages or buy fresh local produce at the regular markets in Great Eccleston and Poulton-le-Fylde.
Join the River Wyre as it passes through pretty St. Michaels on Wyre and visit Over Wyre, a large expanse of land between the river and Morecambe Bay where you will find more lovely villages such as Out Rawcliffe, Hambleton, Stalmine and Preesall; and also the stunning village of Pilling.
Churchtown is one of the oldest villages in Wyre. It has a cobbled square and market cross leading to the church of St. Helen, which is known as the Cathedral of the Fylde.
The Wyre Countryside Service leads regular Heritage Trails around Wyre.
Visit in summer, with bees and butterflies, lilac scented gardens and lakes scintillating in the sunshine. Winter offers white clad landscapes and crisp, fresh mornings and of course spring
is perfect for seeing the lambs and the swathes of spring flowers as the landscape burst into life once again.
INGLETON & DISTRICT
The picturesque village of Ingleton in North Yorkshire has always punched above its weight when it comes to attracting tourists. At the base of Ingleborough is one of the Yorkshire Three Peaks, its Waterfalls Trail and White Scar Caves bring in thousands of visitors a year. Groups can hire Ingleton’s outdoor swimming pool – once named one of the best lidos in the UK offering a great place to enjoy the summer sun. With lots of caravan parks nearby, walking and cycling in the beautiful countryside is a huge attraction with options for canyoning, caving and ghyll scrambling.
In the village is Ingleton Pottery – the oldest established working pottery in the Yorkshire Dales. Themed festivals throughout the year include folk music, a popular 1940’s weekend and food events at Country Harvest.
Ingleborough Cave is a must-see destination on a visit to Ingleton and the surrounding area. Set in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, Ingleborough Cave was first discovered in 1837 by brave Victorian explorers who drained away a lake and went on to discover 1/2km of previously unexplored passages delving deep beneath Ingleborough mountain with only candles to guide them! Today, the cave is well lit, and you can follow in the footsteps of those pioneers on an awe-inspiring voyage of discovery!
The area’s hidden literary history is another lure. It’s suggested that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle may have got the inspiration and name for his famous detective Sherlock Holmes from the then vicar of Ingleton, a certain Rev Sherlock. It’s not the only literary connection – in nearby Cowan Bridge Charlotte Bronte was educated at the school and it’s said she used her painful experiences as the inspiration for her famous novel Jane Eyre. You can also visit Tunstall Church and climb up to the first floor where Charlotte whiled away (unhappily) many a Sunday afternoon.