M o r e c a m b e B ay: nature on your door s t e p In and around Grange-over-Sands

Welcome to Grange-over-Sands, where sculpted limestone pavements and wooded hills merge into the saltmarshes and mudflats of Morecambe Bay This seaside town on the coast of the Cartmel peninsula is the perfect place for watching wading birds that flock here in their thousands In this guide you will find... to feed on the shellfish and shrimps hidden in the estuarine sands. · Seasonal highlights · three great days out · How to get around Don’t Miss… There’s so much wildlife to experience, but if time is of Wading birds like knot flock to the Bay in their thousands the essence, here are our top 3 On a rainy day… highlights not to be missed: Visit the historic house of Holker Hall, learn about Cartmel Priory, 1 Watch wonderful waders like or keep dry in cosy old pubs and curlew from Humphrey Head tearooms in Grange or Cartmel. nature reserve, flocks are largest in winter Fascinating fact 2 Enjoy breath-taking views The peregrine, which you might from limestone pavements at see around Humphrey Head, Hampsfell, an extraordinary feeds mostly on birds that it habitat for butterflies catches in flight. It spots the prey 3 Explore woodlands at Brown at distance and, once positioned Robin nature reserve, look out correctly, it stoops at speeds of for green woodpeckers and up to 180 kph for the catch. To fascinating fungi enable the bird to breathe at this © Chris Gomersall RSPB Images speed, it has special baffles in its nostrils.

Seasonal Highlights This area is full of wildlife, with something spectacular and different to see whatever the time of year: Look out for: Spring

Woodland carpet of bluebells in Brown Robin Explore woodlands and green winged orchids on Humphrey Head just a short walk away

Summer Shelduck and redshank feeding on the shores

Autumn Flocks of knot and oystercatchers, high spring tide is the best time to see them

Winter

The evocative call of the curlew, the largest © Andy Hay RSPB Images European wading bird M o r e c a m b e B ay: nature on your door s t e p G r a n G E - O V e r -S a n d S

Wonderful Waders Lindale While curlews can be found around the whole UK coastline, the largest concentrations Morecambe Bay 1 2 are found in estuaries like Morecambe Bay. You’ll see them 3 here all year round, but the 4 cartmel flocks are biggest in January and February. 5 A great place to watch waders Grange-over-Sands like knot and oystercatchers is from Cumbria Wildlife Trust’s Humphrey Head nature reserve, 6 a limestone headland dotted 7 with cliffs, grassland and allithwaite woodland. Enjoy fantastic views cark across the whole of the bay 8 and watch flocks of waders on the saltmarsh to the west of 9 the cliffs. Unusual plants grow Flookburgh j Kents bank here thanks to the salt spray and underlying limestone. Look out for green-winged orchid Don’t and Lancastrian whitebeam on forget your the cliffs, and wind-sculpted OS map hawthorn on the limestone k and follow the pavement. countryside code • From Grange-over-Sands follow the Cumbria Coastal Way to Kents Bank (there MAP KEY is a train station here). The 1Hampsfell 5Grange station iFlookburgh promenade and shore offers 2 Eggerslack Woods 6Holker Hall j Kents Bank station a traffic-free walk for 2.4 3Brown Robin nature 7Allithwaite k Humphrey Head km from the railway station reserve hCark station nature reserve towards Kent's Bank, with 4Cartmel telescopic sights found at intervals along the prom. Walk along the shore at low tide and take care, it can be shore at low tide, taking care muddy and slippery. on soft sediments. • Continue on the Cumbria • Or continue along the Coastal Way along lanes Cumbria Coastal Way to to the Viking homestead Flookburgh and Cark for the of Allithwaite and down train station back to Grange, to Humphrey Head nature or to visit Holker Hall and reserve on Holy Well Lane (you Gardens. Flookburgh was an can park here but do not block important fishing village for the road). For centuries people the monks of Cartmel, and believed that water from the Cark was an old mill town and holy well at Humphrey Head bustling port. Fishing is still could cure various illnesses. important today. It was recently discovered The Engine Inn pub in Cark serves that the underlying springs popular local food including contain salicyn - a natural potted shrimp. The Food Hall at analgesic and antiseptic - Holker Hall sells local produce derived from remains of white like saltmarsh lamb. There willow trees that once grew in are pubs in Flookburgh and abundance in this area. Allithwaite too. • Walk along Humphrey Head Did you know? Look out for curlew with long itself (1 km), it is grassy and legs and a curved bill fairly flat. Return by the same • The last wolf in Cumbria was route of walk back along the reputedly killed on Humphrey © Tom Marshall RSPB Images Head in the 14th Century. M o r e c a m b e B ay: nature on your door s t e p G r a n G E - O V e r -S a n d S

Follow Famous Brown Robin nature reserve Footsteps to has a mix of woodland and calcareous grassland on an Breathtaking easterly facing limestone hill Views above Grange-over-Sands. Historically, the wood was Follow in the footsteps of the coppiced - a form of woodland Cistercian monks through management that cuts back pretty woodlands to a trees, using the wood for breath-taking viewpoint at charcoal and wood crafts, and Hampsfell on Grange Limestone allows them to regrow. You Pavements. can see signs of new coppicing Cistercian monks would take in some areas, along with a this route from Grange (where charcoal kiln and traditional pole they stored their “grain”) up lathe. On the grasslands look to Hampsfell and onwards to out for grass covered ant hills, Cartmel Priory. Fissures in the Arrive at Hampsfell for history and panoramic views and you might even spot green pavements are known as “grikes” – Hampsfell hospice woodpeckers feeding on the and are the favourite habitat of © Beth Pipe ants. rare ferns, while the standing • Turn right out of the train blocks called “clints” are home Cartmel is a haven for foodies station, walk along Lindale to wild strawberries in the with bread, cheese and wine Road and through the woodlands. The pavements are shops and the highly acclaimed driveway of the Netherwood home to 24 species of butterflies, L’enclume. Hotel. and this important habitat was the first area of limestone in • Follow the signposted path, England to be protected from Flowers and Fungi this walk involves some steps and ladder stiles. quarrying. The 5 km circular Enjoy an easy walk on a circular route is well worth the effort. path around Cumbria Wildlife • Back in Grange, amble east Walking boots are strongly Trust’s Brown Robin nature along the promenade, and recommended. reserve (2km), famous for you might see otters in the • From the train station turn stunning views, spring flowers River Winster and waders in left to the ornamental like bluebells and interesting the estuary. Pop into the ice gardens, then right onto the fungi such as waxcaps. cream factory at Holme Farm B5271. (call 015395 32991). • Take a footpath left on the Cistercian Way into Eggerslack woods - Look out for signs of coppicing! • Follow the path out of the woods and onto the limestone pavements to Hampsfell Hospice, built in 1830 as a refuge for weary travellers. Enjoy panoramic views of the fells and the Bay. • Keep your eyes peeled for butterflies in summer in the grasslands and woodlands. • Continue on to Cartmel, or descend on one of the many footpaths back to Grange. The area is dotted with lime kilns where limestone was fired to make fertiliser - some are 100s of years old. For refreshments try Hazelmere Coppiced woods make way for spring flowers at B Café for homemade bread and © Bart Donato rown damson preserve and Higginson’s Robin Reserve of Grange for their famous pies! M o r e c a m b e B ay: nature on your door s t e p G r a n G E - O V e r -S a n d S

ay Arrive by train for the best views of the B

Pack a map and a compass and start exploring © Alan Heppenstall

Getting here We believe that a car free journey is a care free journey. © David Morris • Arrive by train to Grange- over-Sands on a breathtaking Morecambe Bay, ending at Kents Bank. Pre-booking essential for the route over the Kent or Leven 8-mile (13 km) walk, which takes around 3 hours. For dates, contact estuary (All year Mon – Sun). Grange Tourist Information Centre or search online. Call National Rail Enquiries 08457 48 49 50. Look out for Staying Longer a Duo ticket when two adults Grange-over-Sands is a great base for a short break or a longer stay travel on Northern Trains • Call Grange TIC (015395 34026) or visit Bay Tourism Association, • Hop on the bus from Kendal or Go Lakes website for accommodation or Barrow on the 530 or 532 service (Mon - Fri only) • Refuel at cafes, bakeries and shops in Cartmel, Grange-over-Sands, Flookburgh and Lindale • Arrive under your own

M o r e c a M steam on National Cycle b e b Moving on ay : n at u r e o n y o u r In and d o o r around S t e p Grange M o r e c a Route 70 (Walney Island to - M overb e b ay : n- atSands u r e o n y o u r d o o r Look out for other itineraries in this series at Welcome toIn Grange-over-Sands, and gateway to dramatic landscapes around of limestone and rare mosses Grange S t e p Sunderland). National Cycle These peatbogs are home t -o red deer all yearWelcome round to Grange-over-Sands,ver gateway to www.morecambebaynature.org.uk. pavements are a haven for buo the beautiful - , and the limestone Sands As well as greatdramatic wildlife to see,landscapes of limestone and rare mosses and culture to take in too tterflies. In this guide Route 700 the Morecambe Bay These peatbogs are home to the beautiful there’s history you will find... red deer all year. round, and the limestone don’t Miss… pavements are a haven for butterflies. · Seasonal highlights There’s so much · How to get around experience, but if wildlife tAs well to as great wildlife to see, there’s history • Hike to Witherslack mosses, you’ll find · Where to stay and eat the essence, here andarime is culture of to take in too highlights not to be mi · o Cycle Way - will be launched e our top 3 ur top three days out 1 Watch red deer all yssed: at Witherslackd Moon’t Miss… In this guide ear round There’s so much wildlife to . on a rainy day… your eyes and ears ssesp – keep experience, but if time is of Take the train you will find... 2 enjoy breath-ta eeled RSPB Reserve into S Leighton· Seasonal Moss highlights magnificent red deer from Hampsfellthe H essence, here are our top 3 highlightsking views not to be missed: you can watch don’t forget your ca ilverdale· How towhere get around ospice - shelter of a cosy wildlife hi under the in summer 2015 3 Look out for butter1 mera! · Where to stay and eat Watch red deer all year round opening times. Or de, call xxx for woodlands, gras at Witherslackflies among Mosses – keep house like Holker H visit· o a historic and limestone pavemen ur top three days out yourslands, eyes andbogs ears peeled Levens Ha all at Cark or 2 Apr - Oct). ll near Sizergh (open enjoy breath-takingt views Seasonal Highlightsfrom Hampsfell Hospice - on a rainy day… don’t forget your camera! Fascinating fact Around Morecam Take the train to Leighton Moss 3 • Take the train to Barrow-in-Furness, home landscape and wildLook out for butterflies among Before the railwaRSPB Reserve in Silverdale where be Bay, the constantly changiwoodlands, grasslands, bogs journey around youthisy was canG watchbuilt wildlife under the andlife limestone is pavement difficult. Under th seasons, the weatherng with an the shelterrange of a cosy were hide, call xxx for tides. Foulshaw Mossopening liese peatt times. bog at Or visit a historic d the r of a Bronze Age ro Seasonal Highlights ed deer house helike remains Holker Hall at Cark or birch and ash treesLevensad la made Hall near from Sizergh (open Around Morecambe Bay, the side. Apr - Oct). to the natterjack toad and grey seal Look out for:landscape and wildlife is id side by constantly changing with the Fascinating fact Getting Around Spr seasons, the weather and the I nG Before the railway was built tides. green hairstreak butte journey around this Grange were and a woodland car rfly, early purple difficult. Under the peat bog at red d Foulshaw Moss lies the remains Su pet of bluebells. eer MMer Look out for: orchid of a Bronze Age road made from butterflies and drago birch and ash trees laid side by deer, and aSpr flesh side. InG nflies aplenty, young • Cycle to Silverdale, and listen carefully for green hairstreak-eating plant butterfly, - the sund early purple orchid The network of footpaths and a odonata utu Mn and a woodland carpet of bluebells. red Large r the spectacular so ew. damselflyed Su MMer und of rutting red de WInter butterflies and dragonflies aplenty, young red graceful birdsdeer, ofand a flesh-eating plant - erthe sundew. prey over the mosse the booming bittern autu lanes are perfect for exploring by Mn the spectacular sound of ruttings red deer

W Inter odonata graceful birds of prey over the mosses Large r boot and bike. damselflyed • Take a compass and a map (OS Explorer Map OL7) and Useful contacts : call or search online wear appropriate clothing • Grange Tourist Information Centre, • No bike? No worries! Call open Mon - Sat, 015395 34026 Silverdale Cycle Hire 01524 • www.baytourism.co.uk 701537 (collection and drop off around Grange-over- • www.golakes.co.uk Sands) • Silverdale Cycle Hire 01524 701537 • Don’t forget the fantastic train • National Rail Enquiries 08457 48 49 50 route around the whole bay • Traveline 0871 200 22 33 Cross-Bay Walks are led by Cedric Robinson, the Queen's • www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk Official Guide to the Sands of

This leaflet is brought to you by Morecambe Bay Local Nature Partnership's Nature Improvement Area and Morecambe Bay Partnership's 700 Days to Transform the Bay scheme. It is funded by Defra, DCLG, Natural England, Forestry Commission, Environment Agency, Coastal Communities Fund and RSPB Futurescapes EU Life Comms +. The routes described are for guidance only. Please use an up to date map when exploring this area. It’s a good idea to plan your route in more detail before you set off, and to check the weather forecast and tide tables. Wear appropriate clothing and don’t forget to take food and water. The Partnerships above cannot be held responsible in the unlikely event of injury or accident whilst exploring this area. For more information on the exploring the nature of Morecambe Bay visit www.morecambebaynature.org.uk

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