Five Local Coastal Walks
With miles and miles of interesting and varied coastline the Lancaster district is the perfect place to enjoy a coastal walk. Features writer, Rob Bullock looks at just five…
From sand to shore, promenade to grassy embankments the coastline in our area is beautiful, interesting and varied. We have traditional Victorian resorts, nature reserves and estuaries that are the envy of our land locked neighbours. Here are just five coastal walks to try.
1. Silverdale and Jenny Brown’s Point
Readers of the Lancaster District Magazine will know that Silverdale is one of Lancashire’s most beautiful coastal areas in the country and steeped in history – did you know that Elizabeth Gaskell wrote some of her novels from a tower overlooking the sea? It is true.
Nearby is the gem Leighton Hall, which is a historic home that is open to the public, and the Leighton Moss RSPB sanctuary, which is always well worth a visit.
There are refreshments at the Wolfhouse Gallery, Woodlands pub and the Silverdale Hotel
An easy, short walk that is less than two miles.
2. Cark and Flookburgh
This walk, on the marshy northern shore of Morecambe Bay, follows part of the Cumbria Coastal Way linking Morecambe Bay with the Solway Firth. This atmospheric part of old Lancashire (it only became Cumbria in 1974) is famous for its shrimps but the town of Flookburgh actually took its name from the flat fish that were caught in the bay.
A ramble here will be of particular interest to bird watchers as the salt marshes are often a hive of activity with a variety of birds including egret, redshank and greenshank, curlew, cormorant and many other species.
There are plenty of places to find refreshments as cafés and pubs abound in Flookburgh and Cark.
This walk is of medium difficulty with a distance of 5.5 miles but sturdy footwear is recommended.
3. Morecambe Bay from Hest Bank
Taking in the section of coast between Morecambe and Bolton-le-Sands this area is flat and marshy providing an excellent environment for breeding local salt marsh lamb.
Much of this route is along the northern end of the Morecambe promenade and is lovely in all seasons, refreshments are available from the cafe at Hest Bank (which is popular amongst dog walkers) and at the pubs in the lovely village of Bolton-le-Sands
The difficulty of this ramble is rated medium and the distance is 8 miles.
4. Sunderland Point
This is one of Lancashire’s hidden gems, a place full of echoes from times gone by when it was a place of shipbuilding and slavery. Sambo is buried here so why not take a few minutes to visit him and pay your respects like thousands of others have done over the centuries.
Today Sunderland Point boasts a fine row of old houses and some of the most beautiful views from anywhere in the area. But be warned, this walk starts at Overton and the causeway floods when the tide is in so check with local websites for details of the tides before you start out.
You can buy refreshments at the pubs at Overton, and there are snack facilities and toilets at Middleton Sands.
This is an easy but beautiful walk although it is five miles in distance.
5. Knott End-on-Sea circular walk
Knott End-on-Sea is located on the southern edge of Morecambe Bay, across the Wyre estuary from Fleetwood. On this circular walk head inland from the promenade and explore the Wyre countryside.
An easy circular walk in Lancashire along quiet country roads, lanes, farm tracks, golf course and the sea wall. Knott End is a small village and at low tide there are extensive views across the sands and Morecambe Bay. There are two stiles and one kissing gate to negotiate so this may not be a suitable walk for anyone with mobility difficulties.
There are a pub, café and chippy in Knott End so plenty of choice of refreshments!
This an easy six-mile walk but you should allow yourself three hours from start to finish.
Whichever coastal walk you do, always follow the country code, close gates after you, be extremely careful near cows, wear appropriate clothing, make sure your mobile is fully charged and someone knows where you are. Happy coastal rambling!
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