Lake District and Morecambe Bay – what a combination!

Morecambe Bay view from the Chalet self catering flats

When I wanted to ‘return to my roots’ and childhood memories to show my family what a charmed childhood I had experienced, I went back to Morecambe in search of a summer/holiday home. Sadly, it was nothing like my childhood memories, I was disappointed. I decided to go across to Grange-over-sands where we spent many days and it hadn’t changed much! Still the charming, Edwardian town with a traffic free promenade, amazing views, same parade of shops with award winning tea rooms and butchers and so much more.

We wanted to buy a place to holiday in the Lakes to rebuild memories and take nostalgic trips around the area and Grange-over-sands with it’s impressive views of Morecambe bay was the ideal place. It provided us with the base we wanted to explore the lake district and make no mistake, the English lakes are simply beautiful as is Morecambe Bay.

Watching sun rises and sunsets over the Bay is what memories are made of!

If you haven’t’ heard about Cumbria’s classic seaside towns and coastal views in the South Lakeland, it’s time to visit Grange-over-sands.

What does this area offer you, this blog will not cover it all! If like us, you’re not exceptionally fit and cannot do much climbing or just don’t wish to climb the highest mountains in the Lakes, here are our suggestions for must do things on a mini break on the –

Day 1
Arrive, relax into the comforts of the Chalet 4 star self-catering flats/cottages. Kettle on, cup of tea and locally sourced cake or biscuits, at the Chalet gardens, taking a deep breadth while taking in the Bay views and feel ourselves relaxxxx.
We popped to Higginson’s butchers for their meat and potato pies which will make a filling lunch!
And we’re out, first for a leisurely stroll on Grange promenade, love that the Victorians called it promenading! We love promenading, with no agenda. An ice cream while watching the variety of birds on the salt marshes, goes down a treat.
The lovely walk leads us to Grange duck pond and ornamental gardens and the beautiful train station with those views again.

Sunset looking at the changing colours of the bay, something for all seasons, glass of wine in hand.

Day 2
Breakfast at our favourite Hazelmere café and bakery, award winning tea room, what a treat!
All fuelled up, we set off for our first fell walk to Hampswell Hospice. Not too hard and well worth the views from the top.
Back down to visit the village of Cartmel, amongst being the home of sticky toffee pudding, the priory, the quaint village, the racecourse, segway anyone? And if you fancy, the Michelin star L’Enclume!

Must buy some famous sticky toffee pudding for friends and family, and maybe an extra one to take home 😉

Day 3
Head to Lakeside,
15 minutes later, we are parked up at Lakeside, our favourite starting point to explore South Lakeland and the central lake district.
ready to board our Windermere Lake cruiser to Bowness. Always listen to the local commentary, take in the views and mesmerising landscape of the lakes mountains. Did you know the lakes were formed in the ice age?
Ponder around Bowness, lovely shops, galleries and we like to pop in to the Beatrix Potter experience.
Gummers How for a picnic in the car boot!
you can even head further down lake Windemere to Ambleside.
After exploring the largest lake in the lake District, we like a walk around Tarn hows for a walk around the smallest lake! Suitable for buggies, kids, elderly, it’s our favourite lake for a gentle walk for tired legs but we returned each time to the ever changing tides and stunning landscape from the Chalet, over the bay.

Did you know there are sixteen lakes in the lake District, although only one is called a lake officially, the others are meres or waters, and then there are many tarns, or ‘smaller’ pools of water.
Get yourselves a map, and see if you can see all the lakes, book your next trip now!

Day 4
Arnside a short drive away or a train hop across the viaduct, is an area of outstanding beauty, a favourite beach spot, still relatively hidden from the crowds. Fish and Chips from the award winning chippy hits all the right spots. English lakes ice-cream is hard to beat!
A relaxing day at the seaside taking in all that fresh sea air, we return to the Chalet in time to hear a siren, the tide is coming in! the birds get excited and so we do, the landscape changes. Rain at flow, go to moor, Rain at ebb, go to bed – I recall my father saying this a lot and so far, it’s always been correct!

Day 5
Probably our favourite Lake is Wastwater, as it’s stark, it’s like another planet. A tricky drive, but it’s a must. We must have been hundreds of times and never tire of it.
Combined with a trip on the little train at Ravensglass and a food stop in Keswick market town, it’s a full on day to visit the North Lakes, but still only an hour’s drive from Grange.

There are so many other things to do, but in a short break, we’ve explored North lakes, our favourite Wastwater, Britain’s largest lake, Windermere in the Central Lakes, Bowness for the main tourist spot but a must visit and stayed in the beautiful Grange-over-sands, South Lakes with the bonus of the Bay scenery. It’s been incredible!

The lake District and Morecambe Bay will blow you over, there is so much do so, one visit won’t do!