Arnside:
Arnside is a former fishing village.
It is situated above the shores of Morecambe Bay on the River Kent, just below the more famous Lake District National Park are the coastal cliffs of Arnside.
One of the many things Arnside boasts is views. In fact, there’s no better view than the estuary view.
From the promenade, which was built around 1897, you will see the magnificent Lakeland fells in the distance.
On a clear day, you can see all the way up to Skiddaw in the far north.
Sitting on the edge of the Kent Estuary, Arnside has been a fishing village, boat building centre and Victorian playground.
The village earned a reputation for boat building and home to some of the finest traditional boat building.
Arthur Ransome, author of Swallows and Amazons, loved Arnside as a place to visit.
Furthermore, the stone jetty is testimony to the visiting pleasure craft of yesteryear.
There is a strong tide here at Arnside and boat enthusiasts are generally safe if they prepare and take reasonable precautions.
The River Kent does not just flow out to sea. It sometimes flows back up the river in a phenomenon known as the Arnside Bore.
The tidal bore occurs at high tides, especially spring tides, where the incoming tide of Morecambe Bay narrows into the river estuary right in front of the village’s promenade.
A peaceful village with pretty shops, it attracts holidaymakers to its waterfront with magnificent views over to the Lakeland Fells.
Arnside is popular with walkers, cyclists and birdwatchers, being home to much coastal birdlife.
The areas around Arnside are renowned as designated Areas of Outstanding Beauty and Sites of Scientific Interest.
Keep your eyes peeled for rare butterflies and alpine succulents that shelter amongst the limestone pavements.
You can drive or walk to Arnside Knott where you will be treated to a panoramic view of the Lakeland Fells.
There are many fine walks around the Knott and up to the Pepper Pot at Silverdale.
Further on, the sparkling sands of Morecambe Bay come into view.
Arnside Knott is a rolling 521-foot fell just south of the village.
From here, there are many lovely walks around the Knott with woodland offering some shade.
This quaint old former fishing village has a charming promenade with independent shops, pubs and cafes.
Arnside was once an important setting-off point for trips across the bay and the railway viaduct you see today crossing the estuary is built at an old fording point.
Today, the railway journey from Arnside to Grange-over-Sands takes just four minutes over the viaduct. The equivalent car journey around the bay takes closer to thirty minutes.
The fish and chip shop sells the best fish and chips for miles around.
From the promenade, the sunsets are spectacular and from the pier watching the tide roar in on the bore never fails to fascinate.
Arnside is two stops by train from Kents Bank Station.
If you are looking for a holiday cottage with easy access to Arnside, enquire here.
