Grange-over-Sands

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Grange-Over-Sands

Coordinates: 54.1900° N 2.9158° W
Population	4,000
OS grid reference	SD402775
District	South Lakeland
Shire county	Cumbria
Region	North West
Constituent country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	GRANGE-OVER-SANDS
Postcode district	LA11
Dial code	015395
Police	Cumbria
Fire	Cumbria
Ambulance	North West
UK Parliament	Westmorland and Lonsdale
European Parliament	North West England
List of places: UK • England • Cumbria

Grange-over-Sands is a town in Cumbria, England. It lies within the historic borders of Lancashire.

The town developed from a small fishing village in the Victorian era with the arrival of the railway as it became a popular seaside resort, lying on Morecambe Bay, across the sands from Morecambe itself.

The River Kent used to flow past the town's mile-long Promenade, but more recently the river has switched its course to the Arnside side of the estuary, allowing nature to develop the "sands" (mudflats, in truth, with dangerous quicksands at uncertain points) into a spartina-grass meadow now frequently grazed over by small flocks of sheep.

Above the town is Hampsfield Fell, crowned by 'Hampsfell Hospice', a sturdy limestone tower monument offering shelter to the rain-drenched walker, as well as the finest viewpoint of all the foothills of the outlying southern Lakeland fells. On the roof, a large compass pointer and list of peaks identify the greater and lesser landmarks in the magnificent panorama. Inside, painted boards commemmorate its construction, praise the view and welcome the visitor.

Adjacent to Grange are Lindale, to the north-east, Cartmel to the northwest, with its Priory to which the village was once the 'grange' or farm, and Allithwaite to the west. The country house Holker Hall, which was built on land which once belonged to Cartmel Priory, is nearby.

Grange-over-Sands railway station, which serves the town, is situated on the Furness Line, giving connections to Ulverston and Barrow-in-Furness to the west, and Lancaster, Preston and Manchester to the east.