Grange-over-Sands

Grange-over-Sands is also called the "Lakeland Riviera", since the influence of the Gulf Stream gives it an exceptionally mild climate. It was historically in Lancashire, but re-assigned to Cumbria in 1974.

This guide also covers the nearby villages of Cartmel, famous for its Sticky toffee pudding and Flookburgh.

Understand
There is a mile-long seaside promenade walk. The prom was built in 1904 and is especially lovely in spring with its colourful borders full of flowers and spring bulbs. There some great shops and lovely ornamental gardens with a collection rare ducks. There are plenty of cafés and tearooms to enjoy a cream tea or tasty lunch.

Until the Furness railway was built across the bay in 1857, the town was reached by crossing the dangerous sands of Morecambe Bay at low tide. Stage coaches towards Scotland crossed the sands rather than struggle over the Lakeland hills, so Grange became part of Lancashire. The railway further tied it to Lancashire because of local iron ore and metal-bashing industry. In 1974 there were major changes to the county boundary and Grange-over-Sands was re-assigned to Cumbria along with Barrow-in-Furness.

Guided walks across the sands are available today to make the 8-mile crossing, which takes around 3 hours.

By train
Grange-over-Sands has trains from Lancaster, which is on the main line between London Euston and Glasgow. You normally change there, but direct trains run from Manchester Airport and Piccadilly via Preston. From Lancaster the trains call at Carnforth, Silverdale, Arnside, then cross the bay to Grange-over-Sands and continue to Cark, Ulverston, Dalton and Barrow-in-Furness. They're hourly M-Sa and every couple of hours on Sunday.

See

 * Hampsfield Fell
 * Cartmel Fell