Grange Over Sands

Grange Over Sands

Whilst staying in one of our Lake District Cottages you will know doubt wish to explore our many towns and villages, where Grange Over Sands offers much to see and do.

Grange over Sands lies on the Cartmel Peninsular, one of three adjacent land spurs that jut out into the Morecambe Bay. Separated by the estuaries of the Rivers Kent, Leven and Dudgeon, combined they form the area known as the Furness Peninsular. The town began life as little more than a few fishermens’ cottages and a Grange or “Graunge”, French for granary, along with a small harbour and vineyard kept there by the Monks of Cartmel, hence the name. The combination of a mild eco climate, brought on by the Gulf Stream, and the arrival of the steam railway saw this small seaside village grow into a genteel and popular Victorian resort. Today the town remains largely unspoiled, protected within the lea of the hills and looking out to the sea. Indeed the view over the bay rivals any of the lakes and draws people to this area of great natural beauty, this including myself, so much so Clare and I decided to live in the village.

Shopping - Dining - Entertainment

The centerpiece is the promenade, a gentle and relaxing place to stroll on a summers evening, with the nearby band stand at Park Road gardens having brass bands playing during summer, reliving that genteel Victorian and Edwardian era. There are a number of parks and ornamental gardens and these in turn attract wildlife. In fact the area is renowned for its bird watching, both coastal and in the fells and woodland that rise above the town. In the village you will find a good selection of friendly shops such as Stewart Higginson's butchers, voted one of the best in the country, the veg shop offering a huge range of local produce and, with the baker, the general stores, chemist and deli, all combine to give you everything you need For wining and dining there are a few pubs, a lot of cafes and plenty of good hotels with bars and restaurants. For an even wider choice, and a must to visit, is the nearby village of Cartmel. About a mile over the fell, this little village offers four good pubs, along with The Enclume restaurant and the newly opened Rogan's wine bar. Both are owned and run by Simon Rogan, internationally renowned for fine innovative cuisine and highly recommended.

Out And About - Local Walks - Activities

There are plenty of good local walks, and the peninsular is criss crossed with country lanes that pass through meadows, low rolling hills and by coastal shore, all perfect for cycling. You can take the track up to Hampsfell, an impressive, wooded limestone ridge. The area is full of wild life and flowers and running across the summit is the limestone pavement, with its cracks and glints, forming a natural giant path way. From the summit you get a splendid panoramic view of both the mountains and the Morecambe Bay. Crowning the ridge is the Hospice, a strange little limestone hut that has a fireplace and stone seats with carved instructions on how the shelter should be used. On from the summit, and you have Eggerslack Woods, a large mixed woodland, with plenty of trails and pleasant in all seasons. The coast is great to explore. Humphrey Head is good, shortish walk to blow out the cobwebs, or travel a little further around the head of the bay, over to Arnside. Here you have one of the most dramatic, flat walks along the miles of south bay shoreline, with shimmering sands when the tide is out, and a wonderful experience if you are there as the waters return. You must stay close to the edges, but I can promise this will rival any of the lake walks. Head eight miles north from the village and you come to Newby Bridge, at the foot of Windermere. Here you have steamer trips on the lake, boat hire and fishing and the aquarium. At Finsthwaite you have the path leading up to Low and High Dam, two perfect little tarns, easy for all and great for a longer day with a picnic. For a bit of sport Grange has two golf Clubs, Grange Fell Club, a nine hole on the hills course and the Grange - Over - Sands Club, an eighteen hole flat course requiring a handicap. Both clubs are set in beautiful scenery and I gather are highly regarded. For a relaxed day, you can pop around to nearby Cark and Holker Hall. Here you will find magnificent gardens, a grand house, a food hall and the Lakeland Car Museum All in all there is much to see and with a wide variety of villages dotted around the peninsular, superb views, excellent dining and the first of the lakes only a short drive away.

For more information on our collection of fine Lake District Cottages and Lake District Self Catering Holiday Homes use our Availability Search or Lake District Cottage Browsers.

All material © 2008-2010 The Lakeland Cottage Company. All Rights Reserved     Designed by Underscore     Built by Web By Numbers Ltd

The Lakeland Cottage Company, Woodside, Charney Road, The Lake District, LA11 6BP. Telephone 015395 38180 or Email us