Places to Visit Near Grange-over-Sands and Kents Bank

Kents Bank Holiday Cottage is in Kents Bank, just outside Grange-over-Sands, on the southern edge of the Lake District.

It’s a lovely part of Cumbria to use as a base. You have the peaceful shores of Morecambe Bay and the Cartmel Peninsula close by, while the southern Lake District is within easy reach for days out to Windermere, Coniston, Hawkshead and beyond.

Whether you enjoy walking, gardens, history, good food, wildlife or simply finding somewhere beautiful for a wander, there is plenty to discover without spending your whole holiday in the car.

And sometimes the best days are the simplest ones: a walk along the bay, coffee in Grange, a wander around Cartmel, and back to the cottage in time to watch the evening light over Morecambe Bay.

Grange-over-Sands

The first place to explore is right on the doorstep.

Grange-over-Sands is a relaxed Edwardian seaside town overlooking Morecambe Bay. Its long promenade, ornamental gardens and views across the bay make it a particularly pleasant place for a stroll, especially when the weather is clear and the light starts changing across the water.

The town has independent shops, cafés and places to eat, and it is an easy place to spend a few hours without needing a packed itinerary.

For walkers, there are also paths leading away from the town and up towards the surrounding countryside. Hampsfell, above Grange, is one of the local favourites and gives wonderful views across Morecambe Bay and towards the Lakeland fells.

If you have a dog with you, the area around Grange and Kents Bank also gives you plenty of opportunities to get out and enjoy the countryside.

Cartmel

Just a short distance from Kents Bank is the beautiful medieval village of Cartmel.

Cartmel is small enough to explore on foot, but there is plenty packed into its narrow streets and village centre. The magnificent Cartmel Priory has stood here for more than 800 years, while the village itself is full of old buildings, little courtyards, pubs and places to eat.

Cartmel is also well known for its food. It is the home of Cartmel Sticky Toffee Pudding and has developed a remarkable reputation for fine dining, as well as having some excellent places for a much more casual meal or drink.

It’s the sort of village where you can arrive without much of a plan, wander around for an hour or two, stop for lunch, and wonder where the afternoon went.

Holker Hall and Gardens

A little further around the Cartmel Peninsula is Holker Hall, one of the area’s best-known historic houses and gardens.

The house has been the home of the Cavendish family for generations, while the gardens are an attraction in their own right, with formal planting, woodland, lawns and seasonal colour.

There is also a courtyard café and other facilities, making Holker a good choice when you want a day out that combines history, gardens, food and a walk.

It is particularly easy to combine a visit to Holker with a trip to Cartmel, as the two make a natural pairing for a day out.

Humphrey Head

At the southern end of the Cartmel Peninsula, Humphrey Head is another worthwhile place to explore.

The headland rises above the surrounding countryside and Morecambe Bay and has a fascinating history as well as attractive walks.

It is a quieter choice than some of the better-known Lake District attractions and makes a good addition to a day exploring the Cartmel Peninsula.