Whether you are on foot, bike or in a vehicle there is so much to see and do outdoors in and around the Morecambe Bay area?

CROSS BAY WALK

Definitely one for the bucket-list, the world famous Cross Bay Walks are an unmissable opportunity to enjoy the stunning beauty of Morecambe Bay. Each Summer organised walks, usually in aid of charity, cross the sands of Morecambe Bay led by the King’s Guide to the Kent Estuary Michael Wilson and Raymond Porter the official appointed guide of the Levens Estuary. The walks are from Arnside to Grange and Sandgate to Chapel Island. Due to the treacherous nature of the ever-changing flats and channels a walk across the sands is only to be made with an official guide. A royally appointed guide has provided asafe crossing across Morecambe Bay since 1548. Be part of history!
See more at www.guideoversands.co.uk www.guideoversands.co.uk

NORTH WALNEY

Starting at the northern end of the Bay, you will find North Walney near Barrow-in-Furness, one of the best coastal nature reserves in the country, for a real wilderness, in a predominantly industrial setting. You will be amazed at the spectacular views and some of the wildlife you might encounter. The reserve’s most famous resident is the noisy natterjack toad; one of the UK’s rarest amphibians only found at around 40 sites in England.

JUBILEE TOWER AND CLOUGHA PIKE

Jubilee Tower is one of the most famous landmarks in Bowland. Built in 1897 as a viewing tower to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria, there are outstanding views of Bowland, the Lakeland mountains, Fylde Coast and the diverse landscape of Lancaster and Morecambe. The tower and car park are open all year round. Look out for the plaque in the car park to Quernmore Dark Age Burial. Fancy a hike? Then then take a path up to one of Bowland’s favourite hills Clougha Pike. There are a number of moderately difficult well defined rocky walking routes to the summit (413 metres).

THE TERN PROJECT

The Tern Project in Morecambe is a celebration of birdlife and
offers a stunning series of various award-winning sculptures situated along Morecambe’s seafront and promenade. Steel cormorants, gannets and razorbills sit proudly on the roundabouts on Central Drive and on the top of bollards in the sea railings, whilst long lengths of fencing are enhanced with flocks of metal birds. The Stone Jetty, is the crowning glory of the Tern Project and has become a place of fun and artistic beauty, boasting seabird themed pavement games, tongue-twisters and striking public artwork. The trail extends towards the Festival Market where you can follow a path made up of poems, jokes and quotes by famous authors, musicians, entertainers and artists. The Jetty is also the perfect place to witness stunning silhouettes of the Lakeland Hills, which provide the backdrop to the glorious sunsets for which Morecambe is so celebrated.

 

CLIMB INGLEBOROUGH

The finest of the famous Yorkshire Three Peaks, the great guidebook author & illustrator Alfred Wainwright once said that it is every Yorkshire persons duty to climb Ingleborough at least once in their lifetime, and suggested the route from Clapham village along Ingleborough Estate Nature Trail, a route he described as “the finest of all, a classic”. En route, take a trip into Ingleborough Cave, to complete a classic “overground, underground” Yorkshire day out. After a hard day on the mountain, we recommend dropping into the newly opened Old Sawmill Cafe in Clapham. The heritage & history of this listed building has been beautifully preserved, providing a fascinating backdrop for visitors to immerse themselves in, whilst enjoying use of the café. Expect great coffee, delicious tray bakes, and an ever changing breakfast and lunch menu using a range of seasonal, fresh & local food.

FURNESS PENINSULA

The Furness Peninsula, with the Duddon Estuary on one side and Morecambe Bay on the other, is capped by Walney Island
– a curving ‘whale tail’ that has protected Barrow from the sea for centuries. The energy of the tides, winds and waves is constantly re-moulding the headlands of Walney Island, Sandscale Haws and Foulney Island, creating dynamic habitats of shifting sands and shingle banks that are colonised by specialised communities of plants, birds and animals.

 

FURNESS WAY

Why not walk The Furness Way, which meanders 75 miles from Arnside on the eastern side of Morecambe Bay to Ravenglass on the Irish Sea, passing through Lindale, Cartmel and Haverthwaite.

CUMBRIA WAY

The Cumbria Way is a linear long-distance footpath in Cumbria passing through the towns of Coniston and Keswick in a northward direction. This 112 km route through the heart of the Lake District National Park links the two historic Cumbrian towns of Ulverston and Carlisle. The route cuts through classic Lakeland country, via Coniston, Langdale, Borrowdale, Derwentwater, Skiddaw Forest and Caldbeck. Whilst it is a primarily low-level long-distance footpath, it does contain some high-level exposed sections.

 

BIRKRIGG COMMON

Birkrigg Common is bracken-covered and sheep-grazed limestone upland to the south of Ulverston. Remains of ancient settlements, tumuli and a double stone circle known as the Druid’s Temple testify to the occupation of Neolithic and Bronze Age people in this area

GRANGE-OVER-SANDS

As you arrive around the Bay area close to Grange-Over-Sands, you will discover the nature reserves of Humphrey Head, Brown Robin, Eggerslack Wood and finally, Roudsea Wood and Mosses, with several beautiful walks, combining natural landscape formations and a variety of interesting wildlife.

Grange-Over-Sands itself has a delightful promenade that offers a traffic-free walk for 1½ miles along the shore of the bay from the railway station towards Kent’s Bank, with telescopic sights at intervals. The walk can be accessed from Grange railway station, or via an underpass at Main Street car park.

 

 

CARTMEL PENINSULA

The Cartmel Peninsula has an extensive network of public footpaths and peaceful lanes that are ideal for walking and cycling. Many have been incorporated into popular long distance walks, such as the Cumbria Way and Cistercian Way, but others are relatively undiscovered byways inviting exploration on foot or by bicycle.

MORECAMBE PROMENADE
AND BEACHES

Morecambe’s charming promenade and sandy beaches are perfect
for families and friends to enjoy traditional seaside fun and the
unique beauty of Morecambe Bay. Stroll along the golden sands of Morecambe beach, sunbathe, make a sandcastle or paddle close to the shore. Have a coffee or an ice cream in one of the cafes lining the seafront and visit the Eric Morecambe statue which looks out across the Promenade. Morecambe certainly sashays and shines on a sunny Summer day.

HEYSHAM VILLAGE

The charming seaside village of Heysham has so many joys with cliff top walks, sandy beaches, deep rock pools, a delightful main street with chocolate box cottages and welcoming eateries. Take a short walk to the headland and you will discover some of the most important Anglo-Saxon and Viking sites in the North West. Look out for ancient chapels, a Viking hog back stone and mysterious rock-hewn graves. An event not to miss is the annual Heysham Viking Festival held in July.

 

HALF MOON BAY, HEYSHAM

With a beautiful sandy beach surrounded by grassy dunes and rocks, this is one of the most beautiful places on the Lancashire coast to hike, sit down with a picnic and enjoy the serenity that the beach brings. There
are no dog restrictions so the beach is a great place to venture with your pooch. Don’t miss Anna Gillespie’s sculpture ‘The Ship’ featuring two figures sitting on the bow and stern of a Viking-style longboat.

SUNDERLAND POINT

The mysterious and intriguing Sunderland Point is a historically important village at the end of a tidal causeway at the tip of the Lune Estuary. Its landscape blends into the sea salt marsh, mud flats and farmland. Sambo’s Grave is a poignant reminder of Lancashire’s involvement in the transatlantic slave trade. Look out for the Horizon Line Chamber, a dry-stone building featuring a camera obscura created by internationally reknown land artist Chris Drury. The village is cut off twice daily by the
incoming tide so tide tables are essential when visiting.
www.sunderlandpoint.net

.

MORECAMBE BAY

And if you prefer to be on the water, then Morecambe Bay is a wonderful adventure playground for those of you looking for a challenging sailing experience. Book a Fun Sail with Bay Sea School if you want to see what it’s like and escape for a few hours to catch the wind in the sails either in a dinghy, or on a windsurfer.

ARNSIDE AND SILVERDALE

The Arnside and Silverdale (National Landscape) is renowned for its amazing wildlife, stunning scenery and superb walks to suit all tastes and abilities. Stunning limestone pavements, ancient woodlands, orchards, meadows and an impressive coastline make this quiet corner of the Bay one of England’s finest landscapes. The National Landscape is also home to several nature reserves including Gait Barrows, Eaves Wood, Arnside Knott and RSPB Leighton Moss. destination of surprises. The Furness line from Lancaster to Barrow follows the coastline and provides an enjoyable scenic journey of the Bay.

Moving a short distance away from Morecambe Bay, you can explore some of South Lakeland’s best-kept secrets. Here you’ll find a fascinating world of towns and villages, much referenced in English culture like Wordsworth’s Grasmere, Ambleside, Windermere, Coniston, Ulverston, Hawkshead, Walney and not forgetting Kendal. Cumbria has a hat full of hidden gems just waiting to be discovered in this beautiful part of the Lake District.

WARTON CRAG

As we move around the Bay we arrive at Warton Crag, a prominent limestone outcrop of a very high quality and national importance, which stands sentinel over the village. Home to several rare butterflies and scarce orchids, much of the crag is managed by conservation organisations including the RSPB, Lancashire Wildlife Trust and Natural England in partnership with Lancaster City Council. There are several routes to the top, some from a tiny quarry at the bottom of Crag Road, with stunning views to be had at the summit. Warton Crag is the perfect place to take the children, for a really enjoyable outdoor experience!

THE MOUNT

Pavilion style building, on ‘a mount’ on Fleetwood seafront Esplanade. It guards over Fleetwood today, as it has done for over 100 years, much like the original building, which once stood there when the new town of Fleetwood was first built in the early 1800’s.

WYRE ESTUARY COUNTRY PARK

Back on terra firma and almost around the southern end of Morecambe Bay, we reach the award winning Wyre Estuary Country Park, offering year-round activities and events for all
the family including ranger-led walks, environmentally themed activities and annual events like the Family Sculpture Day. An innovative children’s play area provides children with a great opportunity to enjoy natural play and have fun in the park. Visitors to the park can also enjoy a walk along the network of accessible paths by the breathtaking Wyre Estuary. The banks of the River Wyre are also quite accessible, where you’ll find bits of shipwrecked boats. Be careful, but have fun, imagining the past & what adventures might have taken place here!

MARINE BEACH

Situated at the back of Marine Hall, Fleetwood, where you can enjoy good old fashioned British seaside. Sandy beaches run up to the seafront pathway, backed by pretty, permanent beach huts painted in pastel colours. Here you’ll find families and children playing and enjoying the fresh air and seaside, using the beach side huts as somewhere to escape the inclement weather, or to savour some tea and sandwiches.