| Grange-over-Sands | |
Church Hill |
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Grange-over-Sands
Grange-over-Sands shown within Cumbria |
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| Population | 4,042 (2001) |
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| OS grid reference | SD4077 |
| Parish | Grange over Sands |
| District | South Lakeland |
| Shire county | Cumbria |
| Region | North West |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | GRANGE-OVER-SANDS |
| Postcode district | LA11 |
| Dialling code | 015395 |
| Police | Cumbria |
| Fire | Cumbria |
| Ambulance | North West |
| EU Parliament | North West England |
| UK Parliament | Westmorland and Lonsdale |
| List of places: UK • England • Cumbria | |
Grange-over-Sands is a town and civil parish by the sea – with a wide tidal range, hence the "sands" name – in Cumbria, England. Historically, Grange-over-Sands was part of the County of Lancashire until 1974, when Cumbria was created under Local Government re-organisation which absorbed the area previously referred to as "Lancashire North of the Sands". The town remains part of the County Palatine of Lancashire and is part of the Duchy of Lancaster. It has a population of 4,042.[1]
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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 the north side of Morecambe Bay, across the sands from Morecambe itself. In 1932 a lido was built on the seafront but it closed in 1993. It has recently (2011) been listed Grade II[2]
The River Kent used to flow past the town's mile-long Promenade. But subsequently the river's course migrated south, away from Grange. The "sands" (mudflats, in truth, with dangerous quicksands at uncertain points) became a grass meadow now frequently grazed over by small flocks of sheep. More recently due to sustained easterly winds in the early part of 2007, the river has begun to switch its course back across the bay, and it remains to see whether the 'sheep-meadows' survive. (NB - October 2010 - the river seems to have swung away from Grange again - back towards the Silverdale side of the estuary.)
The clean, salty air was believed to be of benefit to tuberculosis sufferers, and in 1891 one of the first sanatoriums in the country was established at Meathop. Not only was the local air believed to have a therapeutic effect but also the local spring water.[3]
There is one primary school, Grange-over-Sands Church of England Primary School. There is no secondary school, so most students attend the school in Cartmel. There is also a small nursery school.
The town is a centre for tourists exploring the southern Lakeland Fells. Within the town itself there is an ornamental duck pond and a traffic-free promenade.
Above the town is Hampsfield Fell (generally abbreviated to Hampsfell), 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 commemorate its construction, praise the view and welcome the visitor.
Adjacent to Grange are Lindale, to the north-east, Cartmel to the north-west, 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 the Priory, is nearby. Until its relocation to Backbarrow in 2010, the stables at Holker Hall housed the Lakeland Motor Museum.
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. The nearest Airport is Blackpool, 60 miles (100 km) away.
A new public swimming pool, the Berners Pool, opened in 2003. It won a RIBA Design Award in 2004,[4] but closed in 2006 after suffering financial and structural problems and as of May 2009 is awaiting demolition.[5] A new pool and leisure centre is planned as part of the redevelopment of the site.[6]. However this development is facing some opposition as it would involve filling in Grange-over-sands lido and this is being contested.[7]
| Lindale, Cumbria | ||||
| Allithwaite | Arnside | |||
| Grange-over-Sands | ||||
| Kents Bank |
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