Space for Exploration Morecambe Bay Is the Perfect Place for Exploration and Discovery

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MORECAMBE BAY SENSE OF PLACE . TOOLKIT Space for Exploration Morecambe Bay is the perfect place for exploration and discovery. It is also covered with a network of historic routes and journeys that are still made today. Perhaps our most famous route is across the sands and the Cross Bay walk. Locals here have a sense of adventure, here are some of our most adventurous characters: • Sir John Barrow left Ulverston for the Antarctic and discovered a passage he named the Barrow Straits. • John Wilkinson from Lindale sailed the first iron boat on the River Winster. It allegedly sank but he went on to become a very famous ironworker. • Cedric Robinson lives at Guide’s Farm near Kents Bank and is Queen’s Guide to the sands, and has led thousands of people over the sands on cross bay walks using his skills to read the sands. The area is perfect for exploring without a car, thanks to the quiet lanes for cycling, extensive footpaths for walking and breath-taking train journeys. Help your visitors to get out there: • Promote walking, cycling, rockclimbing, sailing and horse riding. Read the following pages for more information. • Make it easy for visitors to leave their car behind. • Provide up-to-date weather and tide information. • Provide facilities that they might need such as packed lunches and bike locks. • Find out what is on your doorstep with the Morecambe Bay: Nature on your Doorstep Guides and other guides from the local tourist information centres. • Highlight safety issues, especially not to walk across the sands without a guide and that tides can be fast moving. If you’re around Arnside be sure to tell them about the bore warning. • Remind them to follow the countryside code.

40 Nature on Your Doorstep We've created these Nature on your Doorstep guides to enable visitors to explore the nature of the Bay. We’ve roughly divided Morecambe Bay into nine areas to reflect variations in landscape, wildlife and heritage. Download the Morecambe Bay Nature on your Doorstep guides from www.morecambebaynature.org.uk/discover. Areas covered include: 1. Barrow, the islands of Barrow, Sandscale, Dalton – Where nature meets industry, and home to the natterjack toad and grey seal. 2. Ulverston, Rusland, Roudsea, High Dam – Mosses, prehistoric relicts and the rare black hawker dragonfly. 3. Cartmel, Flookburgh, Grange, Humphrey Head – Curlew and wading birds and dramatic headlands and viewpoints. 4. Meathop, Witherslack, Whitbarrow – Red deer amongst mosses, blossom and woodlands, and dramatic limestone hills. 5. Arnside, Sandside, Levens – A mosaic of grasslands and woodlands, a haven for butterflies like high brown fritillary. 6. Silverdale, Warton, Carnforth – Birds abound in wetlands, the bittern booms and woodlands buzz with nature. 7. Morecambe, Heysham, Hest Bank – Promenade walks with high tide flocks of oystercatchers and more. 8. Lancaster, Sunderland Point, Glasson Dock – Maritime history forms a backdrop to the call of wading birds. 9. Rossall Point, Wyre Estuary, Pilling - A rich soundscape of waders and pink footed geese.

MORECAMBE BAY: NATURE ON YOUR DOORSTEP MORECAMBE BAY: NATURE ON YOUR DOORSTEP MORECAMBE BAY: NATURE ON YOUR DOORSTEP MORECAMBE BAY: NATURE ON YOUR DOORSTEP MORECAMBE BAY: NATURE ON YOUR DOORSTEP MORECAMBE BAY: NATURE ON YOUR DOORSTEP MORECAMBE BAY: NATURE ON YOUR DOORSTEP MORECAMBE BAY: NATURE ON YOUR DOORSTEP MORECAMBE BAY: NATURE ON YOUR DOORSTEP In and around In and around In and around In and around In and around In and around In and around In and around In and around Arnside Barrow-in-Furness Grange -over -Sands Lancaster Morecambe Silverdale Ulverston Witherslack the Wyre Estuary

Welcome to Arnside, a picturesque coastal village on Welcome to Barrow -in-Furness where beaches and Welcome to Grange-over-Sands, where sculpted Welcome to Lancaster, where wading birds gather Welcome to Morecambe, a seafood haven for birds Welcome to Silverdale, surrounded by great places to Welcome to Ulverston, on the coast of the Furness Welcome to Witherslack, gateway to dramatic Explore the beaches and marshes along the River a limestone outcrop where the River Kent flows into ancient woodlands meet industry past and present limestone pavements and wooded hills merge into against a backdrop of rich maritime history and visitors alike see and experience nature’s wonders Peninsula where the River Leven meets Morecambe Bay. landscapes of limestone cliffs, peaceful peatbogs and Wyre and coast and soak up the rich soundscape of Morecambe Bay. the saltmarshes and mudflats of Morecambe Bay wonderful woodlands waders and pink footed geese. Barrow-in-Furness and the surrounding islands The River Lune flows through this historic city The massive panorama of vast shimmering Arnside & Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Explore coastal woodlands and look out for the The village is part of Arnside & Silverdale Area of This seaside town on the coast of the Cartmel In this guide lie at the tip of the Furness Peninsula. The coast In this guide and into Morecambe Bay. The bay brings nutrients In this guide sands with a backdrop of Lakeland fells is as In this guide Beauty is an extraordinary place, famous for its In this guide rare black darter dragonfly, or follow the river In this guide Explore the mosaic of habitats in this area, In this guide At the southern end of In this guide Outstanding Natural Beauty, an extraordinary peninsula is the perfect place for watching you will find... and islands are dotted with rich industrial and you will find... In this guide to marine life that has attracted both birds and you will find... mesmerising today as it was when tourists first you will find... amazing wildlife, stunning scenery and superb you will find... to magical mosses. Ulverston has a rich cultural you will find... and see something new at every turn. The you will find... Morecambe Bay, the you will find... place, famous for its amazing wildlife, stunning wading birds that flock here in their thousands · Seasonal highlights military heritage and wonderful wildlife. The · Seasonal highlights you will find... people throughout the ages. Sunderland Point on · Seasonal highlights visited in the 19th Century. The fantastic food, · Seasonal highlights walks. See the elusive otters or listen out and you · Seasonal highlights heritage, surrounded by spiritual sites. The · Seasonal highlights ancient peatbogs here are home to red deer, the · Seasonal highlights marshes and muds here · Seasonal highlights scenery and great walks. to feed on the shellfish and shrimps hidden in · Three great days out specially protected sand dune habitats here are · Three great days out the north bank has a magical atmosphere and · Three great days out heritage, and nature of Morecambe are indebted · Three great days out may hear the wonderful boom of the rare bittern. · Three great days out town is a great base to explore woodlands and · Three great days out limestone pavements are a haven for butterflies, · Three great days out are an important food · Three great days out Don’t Miss… · Seasonal highlights · How to get around perfect for rare natterjack toads, claimed to be · How to get around the estuarine sands. important maritime remnants, while Glasson · How to get around to the vast intertidal sands teeming with sea · How to get around · How to get around wetlands, valleys and estuaries. · How to get around · How to get around source for many birds · How to get around · Three great days out and springtime in the woods is truly spectacular. There’s so much to see and many Europe's noisiest amphibian. Dock on the south bank is still a lively port. creatures. hidden corners to explore, but · How to get around that winter here. these top 3 highlights are not to Don’t Miss… Don’t Miss… Don’t Miss… be missed! in Arnside with fantastic views On a rainy day… There’s so much wildlife to Don’t Miss… On a rainy day… On a rainy day… Don’t Miss… On a rainy day… Don’t Miss… On a rainy day… There’s so much to see and many Wading birds like knot flock to the There’s so much to see and many On a rainy day… Don’t Miss… and award-winning food and experience, but if time is of Don’t Miss… There’s so much wildlife to Take the train to Leighton Moss n Tower 1 Arnside Knott is one of the hidden corners to explore, but Pop into Barrow Dock Museum to Bay in their thousands On a rainy day… There’s so much to see and many Discover our fishing, shipbuilding hidden corners to explore, but Visit Heysham Heritage Centre There’s so much to see and many Keep warm and dry in the hides Rossall Point Observatio drink. the essence, here are our top 3 There’s so much to experience in Visit Aquarium of the Lakes at experience, but if time is of RSPB Reserve in Silverdale where There’s so much to see and many find out more about our maritime hidden corners to explore, but and trading heritage at (everyday except Mon in Summer, hidden corners to explore, but at Leighton Moss nature reserve, © Wyre BC best sites to see butterflies in these top 3 highlights are not to Visit the historic house of Holker these top 3 highlights are not to Newby Bridge to see some of hidden corners to explore, but history, call 01229 876400, highlights not to be missed: these top 3 highlights are not to Lancaster Maritime Museum, weekends in winter, call 01524 these top 3 highlights are not to Leighton Hall, Lakeland Wildlife and around Ulverston, but if time the essence, here are our top 3 you can watch wildlife under the Britain. It’s worth a trip any be missed! Hall, learn about Cartmel Priory, be missed! our watery wildlife up close (call these top 3 highlights are not to Fascinating fact admission is free. Take shelter in be missed! explore Lancaster Castle, the 853465), or book a tour of the be missed! Oasis, Carnforth Station Heritage is of the essence, here are our top 3 highlights not to be missed: shelter of a cosy hide, call 01524 time of year for views across 1 Watch wonderful waders like or keep dry in cosy old pubs and 015395 30153), or take the train From Arnside promenade 1 Explore secluded beaches 1 Strolling along Morecambe highlights not to be missed: 701601. Or visit a historic house be missed! Morecambe Bay. one of the hides at South Walney city’s galleries and shops, or take famous Winter Gardens Theatre Centre, or Greenlands Farm 1 om Arnside Knott curlew from Humphrey Head tearooms in Grange or Cartmel. 1 Fabulous flocks of birds 1 Get up close to wildlife at to Barrow Dock Museum and Keep your eyes and ears like Levens Hall (015395 60321) or Stunning views fr you might hear the siren that and watch grey seals on the nature reserve (one accessible by shelter in ancient public houses Promenade, sampling (01524 422180). Village. 1 1 Admiring the views across the On a rainy day… Fascinating fact 2 Follow an ancient coffin route nature reserve, flocks are Discover black darter dragonfly learn find out more about the peeled for red deer at Sizergh Castle (015395 60951). © David Morris warns of the tidal bore, a wave Isle of Walney wheelchair) open everyday, call like knot and curlew at along the river and canal. seaside treats, and watching RSPB Leighton Moss nature Bay and amazing wildlife from from Arnside to Beetham largest in winter Fascinating fact at Next Ness nature reserve and maritime heritage of Morecambe Foulshaw Moss and Meathop Discover the fascinating story The most important single that surges up the Kent as the 2 01229471066. Sunderland Point wonderful waders Fascinating fact reserve Fascinating fact Rossall Point. Visit Sandscale Haws 2 eider ducks on a guided walk to Bay (call 01229 876400). mosses nature reserves of the town and its fishing breeding site for pink-footed and explore the limestone incoming tide is forced into the Enjoy breath-taking views The peregrine, which you might 2 2 2 Fascinating fact National Nature Reserve Exploring popular routes from Fascinating fact Discovering atmospheric Half Moon Bay is one of the few Enjoy wonderful views from Hawes Water is the only natural Chapel Island 2 Hearing the evocative calls geese, at Þjórsárver in Iceland, landscape. narrow channel. Tidal bores from limestone pavements at see around Humphrey Head, 2 Marvel at beautiful heritage at Fleetwood Museum On a rainy day… (NNR), spectacular sand dunes Fascinating fact Lancaster along tree-lined Sunderland Point is one of only a heritage sites, hidden beaches places you’ll find Honeycomb the famous ‘Pepperpot’ in lake in Lancashire. Look out for Under the peat bog at Foulshaw of huge flocks of pink-footed was only discovered in 1951 by 3 Hampsfell, an extraordinary feeds mostly on birds that it 2 Spot red deer and rafting spiders Fascinating fact butterflies and admire the (01253 876621), or find out more At nearby Levens Hall, follow happen in only a few places in with dramatic panoramas canals and old railways and magical mosses at Eaves Wood Moss lies the remains of a Bronze geese at Lane Ends, Pilling. Sir Peter Scott and his team. Discover the area’s heritage at Look out for bee orchids at habitat for butterflies few places in England where you Worm Reefs around the Bay – dragonflies and marsh harriers at Roudsea National Nature view among the woodlands the River Kent to gorges the world! catches in flight. It spots the prey The shy rare bittern The hazel dormouse is on its very Age road made from birch and about our farming heritage at Sizergh Castle (National Trust), 3 Follow the footsteps of Sandscale Haws NNR (May – 3 Perfect spots for picnics and can find belted beauty moths. Heysham built by Sabellaria alveolata 3 Watch a spectacular sunset here! 3 Exploring up stream for Lancashire is the second most and waterfalls, look out for 3 Explore woodlands at Brown at distance and, once positioned makes its home in the Reserve (NNR) - a very special north-west limit in Europe at around Whitbarrow National ash trees laid side by side. Farmer Parrs Animal World and Levens Hall, or Heron Corn Mill Cistercian monks through June). These orchids mimic a bee looking for kingfishers and In early spring look out for the 3 A hidden oasis at Heysham worms from shells and sand. The from the Giant’s Seat at Jack reeds at Leighton Moss Look for dark red hellborine at leisurely nature watching and important wintering area for the migrating salmon as they leap natterjack toad Robin nature reserve, look out correctly, it stoops at speeds of habitat Roudsea Wood. Much effort goes Nature Reserve (Wed – Sun). Keep warm and cosy ancient woodlands around to encourage bees to pollinate otters along the River Lune curlew, dunlin and knot wingless black and yellow striped Nature Reserve where red shank worms build their homes on hard Scout Roudsea in summer its country life heritage museum geese in Britain with over 44,000 t up to 180 kph for the catch. To 3 into maintaining the coppice 3 Look out for butterflies like a chance to see otters and upstream. © Dave Talbo for green woodpeckers and © Ben Hall rspb images © Andy Hay rspb images © Mike Malpass Watch wading birds along the © David Morris Enjoy the magic of spring (01253 874389). in a traditional pub like The Albion the ruins of Furness Abbey them. furry females on old fence posts butterflies and dragonflies rock, but need sand to create the this green hairstreak kingfishers. birds flocking each year. fascinating fungi enable the bird to breathe at this Rusland Valley and explore its woodlands here to ensure the around the Lyth Valley © Chris Gomersall RSPB Images near Potts Corner car park. abound tubes they live in. © David Morris speed, it has special baffles in its network of paths survival of this tiny creature. nostrils. Seasonal Highlights Seasonal Highlights Seasonal Highlights Seasonal Highlights Seasonal Highlights Seasonal Highlights This area is full of wildlife, with something spectacular and different to This area is full of wildlife, with something spectacular and different to Seasonal Highlights This area is full of wildlife, with something spectacular and different to This area is full of wildlife, with something spectacular and different to This area is full of wildlife, with something spectacular and different to Seasonal Highlights Seasonal Highlights This area is full of wildlife, with something spectacular and different to see whatever the time of year: see whatever the time of year: see whatever the time of year: see whatever the time of year: see whatever the time of year: see whatever the time of year: This area is full of wildlife, with something spectacular and different to see whatever the time of year: This area is full of wildlife, with something spectacular and different to see whatever the time of year: This area is full of wildlife, with something spectacular and different to see whatever the time of year: Look out for: Look out for: little egret Look out for: The clouds of sta Look out for: Look out for: Look out for: Look out for: rlings swooping in Look out for: Look out for: SPRING SPRING unison are spellbinding SPRING SPRING SPRING SPRING SPRING SPRING SPRING Look out for displays of wild daffodils and garlic and ospreys Regal eider ducks arriving at their most southerly breeding site Rossall Point is the best place to see migrating terns - look for Gatherings of shelduck along the Lune estuary and saltmarshtmarsh Noisy flocks of migrating pink footed geese at Heysham Head Wild daffodils and bluebells, avocets arriving to breed, Look out for buzards and hunting over the Kent estuary. at South Walney and orchids blooming at Sandscale Haws. Woodland carpet of bluebells in Brown Robin Explore woodlands Courting lapwing and curlew around Rusland Get close to Green hairstreak butterfly, early purple orchid little, arctic, and sandwich terns. just a short walk away owls over Meathop Moss and green winged orchids on Humphrey Head creeks as they prepare to mate. and greenshank, whimbrels and ringed plover. skydancing marsh harriers, bitterns booming Valley’s wetlands and mosses. nature in and carpets of woodland flowers woodlands SUMMER SUMMER and wetlands SUMMER SUMMER SUMMER SUMMER SUMMER SUMMER SUMMER In summer Arnside Knott and limestone grasslands come Special flowering plants adapted to sunny and salty seaside Look out for magnificent osprey over beaches, orchids on the alive with a spectacular show of wildflowers and butterflies.es. habitats, like Walney geranium, which is found nowhere else Shelduck and redshank feeding on the shores Little Egrets with their impressive white plumage as they Heysham Nature Reserve comes alive with bees, dragonflies, Masses of butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies, screaming Dark red helleborine and osprey at Roudsea Woods Pearl bordered fritillary butterflies, dragonflies, marshes, and dragonflies in the mosses. in the world! stalk the saltmarsh and River Lune. and 21 species of butterfly. swifts above the rooftops, blankets of wildflowers and Mosses NNR. and insect eating plants AUTUMN red shank grey seal AUTUMN AUTUMN arctic terns are known locally as sea swallows © Allan Drewitt natural england © Ben A AUTUMN AUTUMN AUTUMN AUTUMN AUTUMN © Chris Gommersall RSPB images You’ll be mesmerised by the swirling clouds of wading knot AUTUMN ndrew Flocks of knot and oystercatchers, high spring Skeins of pink-footed geese fly overhead, and flashes of blacklack as they flock to the estuary around high tide – look for the Wonderful colourful displays of deciduous trees like oak, ash tide is the best time to see them Mesmerising murmurations of knot in autumn around high The spectacle of massive flocks of knot all moving in unison, Red deer rutting, magnificent starling murmurations, Deer in the mosses at Roudsea and Rusland NNRs. The spectacular sound of rutting red deer and white cross the sky as knots gather in murmurations. flashes of black and white. and sycamore in Millwood and Abbots Wood. tide at beaches and coastal edges. known as murmurations at Morecambe and Hest Bank. migrants on the move, bearded tits on their grit WINTER WINTER WINTER WINTER WINTER WINTER WINTER WINTER WINTER The evocative call of the curlew, the largest cormorant and M Wrap up warm and enjoy amazing views from the Graceful birds of prey over the mosses and Teal quietly feeding on the Wyre Estuary near to Stanah. © Andy Hay RSPB Images idland Hotel © Eleanor Bentall © Cumbria Tourism Waders such as lapwing, curlew, and redshank flock to the Grey seals are easy to spot from the comfort of cosy hides on European wading bird Blow away the cobwebs - this is the best time to see ducks © Paul Chesterfield rspb images Oystercatchers meet in large numbers during winter. © Zoe Dawes Wildfowl flocks gathering, bitterns on the ice, flocks of © David Kjeer rspb images limestone pavements on Birkrigg Common. woodlands estuary in huge numbers in winter. South Walney. and wading birds like wigeon, dunlin and lapwing See them on groynes, jetties and piers as the tide rises. thousands of waders on the Bay

41 MORECAMBE BAY SENSE OF PLACE . TOOLKIT

Promote Exploring on Foot Can you make it easier for visitors to leave their car behind? • Offer a packed lunch and early breakfast. • Provide up to date weather information and tide timetables. • Offer a dry space for wet clothes and muddy boots. Here are some routes to suggest: • follow an ancient coffin route: • From Hazelslack tower to Fairy Steps and Beetham. • From Cark church to Cartmel priory was in use until 1900 when cemetery was built. • Follow in the steps of the pilgrims of old on the Cistercian Way and Cockersands to St Helens monks route. • Follow the canal from Lancaster to Glasson Docks, and to Tewitfields near Carnforth. • Enjoy the many paths across Limestone Pavement with the Limestone Link from Arnside & Silverdale AONB to Farleton Knot and the Yorkshire Dales beyond. • Follow the river on the Lune Estuary Path. • Continue your holiday on a long distance walking route: • Cumbria Way. • Cumbrian Coastal Way. • Lancashire Coastal Way. • Join a trip across the sands with Cedric Robinson Queen’s guide to the sands. Contact Morecambe Tourist Information Centre well in advance to find out when they run. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CROSS WITHOUT A GUIDE. • Try a guided walk from Treasure Trails, or Catwalks.

“In Arnside, the parish covered both sides of the Kent estuary so the old coffin road ran across estuary (you went by boat) because water was considered sacred”

42 Exploring Leighton Moss © Ben Hall RSPB Images Be Cyclist Friendly Cyclists are great visitors because they spend money locally, help to reduce congestion and carbon dioxide emissions, and tend to buy lots of food. Can you make their stay a little easier? • Provide locked storage. • Be flexible with meal times. • Fill water bottles for free. • Make space for a bike wash. • Recommend family friendly cycling routes like Grange or Morecambe promenade and quiet lanes around Arnside & Silverdale AONB. • Consider becoming an electric bike charging point. Your could suggest these long distance routes: • National Cycle Network (NCN) route 6 Lancaster to Kendal. • Walney to Wear. • Way of the Roses. • Lancashire Cycleway. • Encourage your visitors to be one of the first to cycle the new Morecambe Bay Cycle way when it opens in summer 2015. Bike hire is available from • Silverdale Cycle Hire and Holidays, around Silverdale. • Sunshine Cycle Hire, Morecambe. • Gill Cycles, Ulverston. • Water Front Wheels, Fleetwood

C A S E S T U DY Silverdale Cycle Hire and Holidays At Silverdale Cycle Hire and Holidays, owner Jason Kennedy makes it easy for visitors to enjoy and be active. Providing bikes is just the first step, he also recommends his favourite routes and other local businesses such as cafes and attractions. By sharing this local knowledge, he’s helping visitors to have a perfect day out. Jason says “exploring by bike is great, seeing all those things so easily missed when in a car. That said a little bit of local knowledge goes a long way for the first time visitor, so I always point visitors in the right direction to wet their appetite for what's out there to be discovered. It would be cruel not to..”

Give the Driver a Break Visitors can easily arrive by train, and use the railway to get around too. Make it easy for your guest to take public transport: • offer train station pick up service • provide up to date bus and train timetables • highlight activities that are on your doorstep or connected by train and bus • offer a discount or freebie if they leave the car with you for one day • look out for these leaflets: Morecambe Bay off the Rails, Rail Trail 1 and Rail Trail 2 by Northern Trains • check out the Nature on your Doorstep Guides for things to do close to our stations

Other Ways to Explore On Water Try... • having an adrenalin fix with North West Kite Surfing • a day out learning to sail with Bay Sea School • cruising from Tewitfield to Preston with the Lancaster Canal Trust • boating about with Tewitfield Fishery • sea kayaking from Roa Island jetty or Morecambe slipway

“Listen out for the siren that announces the tidal bore in the Kent estuary at Arnside”

On the Rocks Explore... • bouldering and climbing at Trowbarrow Quarry • seasonal climbing at Chapel Head and Humphrey Head (no climbing from March – July during bird nesting season)

On Four Legs Look Out for... • Lunebank Riding Centre • Sea View Riding School • Witherslack Hall Equestrian Centre • and the mosaic of bridleways and quiet lanes in Arnside & Silverdale AONB