Things to do in Grange-over-Sands

Within easy reach of popular South Lakes attractions such as Windermere and Coniston, Grange-over-Sands also boasts a coastal position on the edge of the fabulous Morecambe Bay. Sea, sand, lakes and mountains are all on your doorstep, making this Cumbrian town a dreamlike destination!

Enjoy gentle walks along the seafront promenade, picturesque train trips to national nature reserves and day trips to nearby stately homes on a Grange-over-Sands getaway. Less busy than other honeypot spots, you’ll get all the benefits of a Lake District holiday but without the hustle and bustle.

If you need any more convincing, we have compiled all the best attractions and things to do in Grange-over-Sands and why not browse our brilliant holiday cottages in this quaint seaside town to plan the perfect getaway.

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Sport and leisure activities in Grange-over-Sands

Golfers will love the choice of two golf clubs: Grange Fell Golf Club and Grange-over-Sands Golf Club, with 9 and 18 holes respectively. Both boast fabulous views and offer warm welcomes – why not give them both a go and pick your favourite?

You’ll also find tennis courts at North Lonsdale Tennis Club in the town, with pay-and-play sessions for visitors, and a skatepark in Grange Promenade Recreation Park where teenagers and older children can burn off some steam.

Cycling in Grange-over-Sands

With a National Cycling Network route running from the town to Kendal, around 16 miles away, Grange-over-Sands is a scenic spot for a Lake District bike ride. If you don’t fancy going up as far as Kendal, follow the cycleway to Levens, where you can either turn around and come back or head down the other side of Morecambe Bay to Arnside.  

Another lovely cycling option is the 10-mile loop from Grange-over-Sands to Cartmel and Flookburgh, which will take you along the promenade with views across to Morecambe Bay. There are no bike hire facilities in the town, so be sure to bring your own if you fancy exploring on two wheels.

Parks and gardens in Grange-over-Sands

For such a small town, Grange-over-Sands is bursting with parks, gardens and green spaces. Each has its own unique character and history, and you can spend a pleasant day or two exploring them all.

At the lovely Ornamental Gardens is a large duck pond where you can buy bird feed and spend a very relaxed time scattering food to the waterfowl. Yewbarrow Gardens features a rock garden and a community orchard where you are welcome to sample one of the heritage apple varieties.

Park Road Gardens is surrounded by a pretty lily pond and features a sensory garden. It’s also home to the iconic Grange Bandstand, which hosts regular live music during the summer months.

Nature reserves around Grange-over-Sands

The area around Morecambe Bay is a haven for wildlife thanks to its rare and unique landscapes. See what flora and fauna you can spot at Foulshaw Moss Nature Reserve, a precious peat bog that is one of Western Europe’s most threatened habitats and home to dragonflies, wetland birds and birds of prey, including ospreys that you can spot on their annual visits from Africa.

Nearby Meathrop Moss is a Cumbria Wildlife Trust site with walking trails where you can see carpets of colourful, rare plants that attract over 200 species of moths and butterflies.

Across the water from Grange-over-Sands, you’ll find Arnside and Silverdale National Landscape, a wonderful natural reserve which is made up of sandy beaches, limestone pavements, woodlands, meadows and orchards.

Grange-over-Sands with dogs

Dogs will love a visit to Grange-over-Sands thanks to the many walking opportunities and chances to sniff out an exciting new adventure. Walks through the many parks, along the promenade, and through nearby woodland means you’ll barely have to do the same walk twice. In the town, dogs are also welcome at pubs such as the Masons Arms and the Keg & Kitchen. Or, if you want to pick up a special treat or have forgotten the essentials, you’re in luck with Pawlina’s Pet Shop nearby.

Slightly further afield, dogs are also welcome at Holker Hall and Levens Hall, though restrictions do apply, particularly at Levens. Or explore the gardens at Yewbarrow House with your dog on a lead.

Places to eat in Grange-over-Sands

Main Street and its nearby side streets is home to the majority of pubs, restaurants and cafes in Grange-over-Sands, so it’s easy to wander along a reasonably short distance and find a place that takes your fancy. At one end is The Hazelmere, a gorgeous family-run restaurant, delicatessen, cafe and bakery in an iconic Victorian building. It’s community-focused with an ethical ethos and serves excellent food at reasonable prices.

At the other end of town, right on the promenade and overlooking the dazzling Morecambe Bay, is the Promenade Cafe, a no-fuss spot with a good choice of refreshments. In the middle of the high street, you’ll also find popular eateries including The Estuary Bistro (with views of the water, as you’d expect from its name) and Fish over Chips for a classic seaside supper.

Grange-over-Sands shops

Grange has a very small but lovely selection of shops – most of them small independents, though there are also handy supermarkets such as a Co-op and Tesco Express for all your essentials.

Visit The Foxes Den, a boutique women’s clothing store, or get something unique and vintage at The Grange Emporium which is a treasure trove of items from the 1960s and 1970s located in the former Parish Hall. You can pick up something for your garden back home at Grange Plant Centre; the 19th-century former coach house contains a plethora of plants, including perennials, annuals, ornamental shrubs and fruit trees.  

Visit nearby Cartmel

Cartmel is well worth exploring during a getaway to Grange-over-Sands as it’s just a couple of miles away from the seaside town. The pretty Lakeland village is centred around a huge Norman priory and, along with the main square, you’ll find a maze of charming streets that are filled with traditional stone cottages and independent shops. Cartmel is also a popular destination for foodies thanks to a selection of Michelin-star restaurants and some famous sticky toffee pudding.

Walks in Grange-over-Sands

For big mountain walks, you’ll want to hop over to the Lake District to locations such as Coniston and Windermere, but you have so many walks on your doorstep that you might choose to stay where you are.

The most famous walk in the area has to be the Cross Bay Walk. This guided walk takes place a few times a year, led by an experienced King’s Guide. It’s a spectacular route across the sands of Morecambe Bay, but should never be attempted without the guide, so here are a few options to try under your own steam:

Grange-over-Sands Town Trail

This is a nice, easy route to help you get to know the area at the start of your stay. The Grange-over-Sands Town Trail takes in a lot of historically significant locations, including the town’s first police station, churches, and halls. The circular walk also takes in the Grange-over-Sands promenade along with a pretty wildlife garden called Cox’s Corner.

Humphrey Head

If you’ve got to know the centre of town and fancy exploring the landscape around Morecambe Bay, Humphrey Head is a popular option. The striking limestone peninsula gives great views of Morecambe Bay and features a range of interesting plants and geology. It’s a short there-and-back walk with only a gentle ascent, so is suitable for most ages and abilities.

Hampsfell Hospice

A walk to the unusually named Hampsfell Hospice is very pleasant. The low hill has a small building at the top that you can climb to see the views, plus a plaque to tell you the names of the mountains you’re looking at. A scenic circular walk from Grange-over-Sands will take you through Eggerslack Wood with a climb up limestone pavement.

Other things to do in Grange-over-Sands

Whether you fancy walking with wolves or exploring the grounds and gardens of some stunning stately homes, you won't be short of things to do on a getaway to Grange-over-Sands.

Holker Hall

The timeless interiors of Holker Hall are the result of extensive rebuilding after a disastrous fire in the 1800s, with much of the artwork and furniture transferred from Chatsworth House in Derbyshire. Take a tour of the beautiful rooms to learn about Holker’s fascinating history. Outside is no less wonderful, with romantic formal gardens leading onto informal meadows and woodland with a backdrop of Lakeland fells and Morecambe Bay.

Levens Hall

Levens Hall is a Grade I-listed Elizabethan mansion that’s located between Grange-over-Sands and Kendal, close to the small village of Levens. The stately home is surrounded by a wonderful 9,500-acre estate that’s home to the world’s oldest topiary gardens, which have remained largely unchanged since the 17^th century.

Predator Experience

If you are looking for something unusual to do during a getaway to Grange-over-Sands, take a walk on the wild side with a visit to Predator Experience. This 5-acre site with views across to the Coniston Fells is home to a pack of wolves and offers walks through the countryside with these spectacular animals.  

Getting to Grange-over-Sands

Grange-over-Sands is fairly easy to get to, with decent transport links to the rest of the UK. Enjoy a car-free holiday by catching a train from Lancaster (only 25 minutes away) or from Carlisle. There are two train stations in the town, one in the centre and one on the western edge. If you’re travelling by car, leave the M6 at Junction 36. Once you get to the Brattargh Holt Roundabout (just before Sizergh), take a left and follow the A590 most of the rest of the way to Grange.

Map of things to do in Grange-over-Sands

Find the best things to do in Grange-over-Sands with this handy map:

Places to stay in Grange-over-Sands

Boasting both sea and mountain views, with easy access to the Lake District and Lancaster, plus plenty of attractions in the immediate area, Grange-over-Sands is a wonderful place for a getaway. Choose from one of our lovely holiday cottages, which include dog-friendly options, to explore the area at your leisure.