A trip to the seaside is a must-do during the summer months; nothing beats being by the sea on a sunny day. Scattered along the Cumbrian coastline are plenty of charming towns and villages which are just waiting to be explored.
Often overlooked in favour of more traditional beach resorts, these hidden gems offer visitors a relaxed experience away from the crowds. Not to mention they’re just a stone’s throw away from the beautiful scenery of the Lake District.
Nestled along the estuary of the River Kent, the village of Arnside overlooks Morecambe Bay and boasts impressive views of the Lake District fells. A former fishing port, the village experienced a surge in visitors during the 19th century when pleasure boats sailing from Morecambe and Fleetwood would dock there.
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Today the village features a cluster of shops, cafes and pubs and even has its own railway station. The track crosses a bridge over the estuary offering breath-taking views of Morecambe Bay.
Thanks to Arnside’s location it is the perfect place to watch the sunset, with visitors coming from far and wide to see it. Another impressive natural phenomenon is ‘The Bore’, a tidal wave which occurs in spring and autumn, when the incoming tide causes the river current to reverse.
The beach itself features dangerous quicksand as well as fast-moving tides, but it can still be admired from the Victorian promenade, which then gives way to a coastal path. Two miles away from Arnside is Blackstone Point, a small and rugged beach which is dog-friendly. Just round the headland is Cove Road Beach, another wild and dramatic coastal spot.
Arnside is situated in the Arnside and Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - one of the smallest in the UK. It features limestone hills, grassland and deciduous woodland. A must-do in the area is the Arnside Knott, a 159m high hill maintained by the National Trust.
The walk to the summit is challenging but easier to manage than some of the taller Lake District fells, and from the top you can even see as far as the Yorkshire Dales. The area is a haven for butterflies during the warmer months, as well as a variety of wildfires.
There are lots of walking routes to follow throughout the area and you may even come across the ruins of the medieval Arnside Tower. Although the tower is on private land, it can be viewed from a nearby footpath and makes for an intriguing backdrop for a picnic or pitstop on your walk.
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