After starting the day with a hearty breakfast at the Royal Kings Arms Hotel in Lancaster we checked out of the hotel and set off to explore the wider, rural area beyond the city.
Our first stop was Arnside which lies 15 miles to the north west of Lancaster. It’s a picturesque, small town that sits on the estuary where the River Kent enters Morecambe Bay. I’d visited years ago as a young child and had fond memories of walking along the beach with my grandmother. I had wondered if it might have changed but gladly it all looked mostly the same with its attractive Victorian parade of shops overlooking the bay.
We enjoyed a morning stroll starting along the pier from where we had some lovely views across Morecambe Bay to Grange-over-Sands and the Lakeland fells. Going down a few steps onto the beach path we came across small rocky coves and sloping grassy banks that would be perfect for enjoying a picnic.
Arnside is such a beautiful and tranquil little place and is recognised as a designated area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB). If we’d had more time we could have happily walked all the way along the beach to Silverdale which is possible at low tide, but wanting to see as much as possible, decided to turn back part way and drive there instead.
Although it can be very tempting to walk across the sands of Morecambe Bay, it can be very dangerous as the surge of the incoming tide is fast flowing with ever changing channels. Over the years there have been many accidents with people getting cut off in the quicksand so it is strongly advisable to check the tide times or join a guided walk before venturing out.
Silverdale is another lovely small town lying on the border between Lancashire and Cumbria just 3.5 miles from Arnside.
We enjoyed a stroll along its high street which boasts a beautiful town clock that was erected to commemorate the millennium and then wandered down to the small beach to take in the views before returning to the car.
RSPB Leighton Moss is located just outside Silverdale so we headed there next. The reserve’s coastal marshes attract flocks of waders including avocets, oystercatchers and curlews.
We followed a trail along paths and boardwalks through the reed beds to two of the reserve’s hides both of which overlooked the marshes. The bird hides contain posters displaying photos of wildlife frequently spotted at the reserve and we gazed out of the hide windows to see which birds we could identify.
Closer to the visitor centre is a 9m sky tower so we decided to climb to the top from where we were rewarded with panoramic views across the reserve. We spoke to one of the centre wardens who was stationed up there and she told us of recent sightings.
On returning to the visitor centre we popped into the upstairs cafe known as The Roost where we enjoyed a tasty lunch in its attractive surroundings.
Our visit to the reserve had been very interesting and it’s a pleasant place to visit for its walking trails and views even if you are not into birdwatching. More details can be found on their website here: RSPB Leighton Moss.
Back in the car it was then just a 10 minute drive on to our next destination of Carnforth.We’d come to visit the Carnforth Station Heritage Centre as its station is famous for being where parts of the 1945 epic film Brief Encounter starring Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard were filmed. It was named the second best film of the 20th century by the British Film Institute.
The heritage centre opened in 2003 following an extensive renovation project and is run by a team of knowledgeable volunteers. The centre comprises several rooms dedicated to the film and the station is free to visit although donations are most welcome towards its upkeep.
Carnforth is still a working railway station with trains passing through, yet strolling along Platform 1 takes visitors back to the era of steam trains with its piles of old suitcases and vintage posters lining the walls. Film buffs might recognise the station clock, underpass entrance and exterior of the station waiting room. There are exhibition spaces covering the age of steam, wartime Carnforth and the film’s director David Lean with a mini cinema showing the black and white film on a loop.
Brief Encounter is the story of forbidden love between Laura and Alec, two married strangers who meet in the railway station’s refreshment room. The tea rooms have been lovingly restored to resemble the film set and we definitely felt a sense of nostalgia as we sat there enjoying our pots of tea.
Carnforth itself is also worth a visit with its high street lined with numerous interesting small shops including a splendid independent bookshop. We also took a stroll along the banks of the Lancaster Canal which runs through the town.
After such a pleasant day exploring rural Lancashire we drove to the seaside resort of Morecambe where we had arranged to spend the night at the town’s iconic Midland Hotel. This 1920’s Art-Deco hotel overlooks Morecambe Bay and with its curved facade and splendid spiral staircase it’s really something special.
Our spacious first floor room was furnished in shades of grey and red with large windows and a balcony looking out across the bay and stone jetty.
If you have been watching the television series The Bay set in Morecambe you may recognise the hotel as it has been featured in numerous scenes.
There was time before dinner for a stroll on the seafront and out along the long stone jetty with its bird and animal sculptures, giant paved compass and magnificent bay views.
Having worked up an appetite, we then enjoyed dinner in the hotel’s beautiful Sun Terrace restaurant taking in more of Morecambe Bay’s stunning views from its floor to ceiling windows.
The perfect way to end a fabulous day exploring north west Lancashire.
