Grange-over-Sands: a coastal gem on Morecambe Bay
Grange-Over-Sands is a beautiful little coastsal town on the southern edge of the Lake District, but far away from the touristy masses. It overlooks the waters of Morecambe Bay, which you view from a long walk on the promenade.
Morecambe Bay has quicksand, so don’t walk on the beach itself. Also read how to keep dogs safe by the seaside.
The name came about because there was already a town called Grange (near Keswick). The local vicar apparently was fed up of his post going to the wrong address, so the ‘on-sea’ was added!
This is really a very pretty place. Uniquely for most towns, it has hardly any litter, and the old Victorian buildings and landscaped gardens remain. It’s like going back in time.
The town also used to have a seaside Lido. It’s closed now, but there are campaigns to reopen it.
In the 19th century, Grange-Over-Sands was a popular resort for people who loved the clean air and scenic surroundings, now available due to the railways opening. This character still remains, it’s quite a charming place even now.
Interesting places nearby
Just up the road are the villages of Cartmel (birthplace of sticky toffee pudding) and Allethwaite (home to Boarbank Hall, a convent that offers a relaxing chapel and stunning gardens).
Just a few miles away is Ulverston, a market town mostly associated as being the birthplace of both Stan Laurel and the Quaker movement.
And it’s a short train journey from Carnforth (the setting for everyone’s favourite romantic film Brief Encounter – filmed there to be far enough away to be warned of air raids, during the Second World War).
The outdoor ‘bridge scenes’ were filmed further away in Langdale. Actress Celia Johnson was one of England’s favourite actresses, married to the brother of Ian Fleming (who wrote the James Bond novels).
