The aim of the information here is to assist visitors by highlighting any access barriers you may find and direct you to attractions and accommodation which are access friendly.
Such a special landscape should be open to as many people as possible regardless of mobility, ability or additional needs, so we are continually working with our partners to improve access. If you wish to share any feedback on your visitor experience, or make suggestions for access improvements please contact us at: info@arnside-silverdale.org.uk
Dementia Friendly Walks for All
We host a dementia friendly 'Walks for All' programme, which is held every Tuesday morning aimed at people living with dementia and carers, but also open to anyone wishing for company or support to access this beautiful landscape including visitors to the area - you would be made very welcome.
Nature Reserves
There are many nature reserves to explore in the National Landscape - you can find out more about their accessibility on the individual pages on each reserve.
Attractions & Access
The following attractions have shared their access features with us, to help you plan your visits:
RSPB Leighton Moss Storrs Lane, Silverdale , LA5 0SW.
01524 701601
Leighton Moss is renowned for being one of the UK’s premier nature reserves, particularly celebrated for its extensive reed bed habitat - the largest in northwest England. Home to breeding Bitterns and bearded tits. Other notable species include marsh harriers, otters and red deer. With even sightings of spoonbills and ospreys! It is also highly noted for its accessibility, it is a great venue if you are unable to move far from your car with the accessible sensory garden, and accessible toilet within 150 metres.
Access Features:
- Essential Carers ticket entrance available.
- Service Dogs permitted.
- Disabled parking adjacent to the reception area.
- Accessible reception and shop.
- A wide stairway at the front of the visitor centre which enables side on side support with handrails.
- The cafe is up a flight of stairs. This can be reached via a stairlift. Staff are extremely welcoming and happy to support transition up to the cafe.
- The accessible toilet is at the reception building, accessible from outside via a level entry.
- Tranquil accessible sensory garden.
- Many opportunities to find quiet areas to appreciate the bird song and wildlife.
- Wide, automated door ways.
- Hides are accessible via ramps. The new Lower Hide is in development and has specifically wheelchair friendly e.g viewing areas and easy access planned - so watch this space!
The reserve is a host venue for the dementia friendly Walks for All project and is experienced at welcoming visitors who are living with dementia.
Information about walks are available at the welcome area, the RSPB team are on hand with informative information and guidance. The trails on the reserve are small gravel pathways, undulating in areas but are manageable even for manual wheelchairs. The Garden Trail is a short 380 metre circular walk. This trail takes travels through the middle of the tranquil sensory garden and passes the 9m high Skytower. The Causeway trail is recommended for off road wheelchairs - there are trampers available to hire.
Tramper hire: This off-road robust mobility aid is free to hire and is available to use by over 14s. The Tramper enables those who may need a little extra help to get around the trails and enables visitors to reach those far corners of the reserve. Please call the visitor centre at Leighton Moss on 01524 701601 to book. Open seven days at week from 9.30 am-5 pm.
Leighton Hall Peter Lane, Yealand Conyers, LA5 9ST.
01524 734474
Leighton Hall is positioned to the south of the National Landscape, a beautiful historic home of the Gillow family. The hall hosts many exciting events throughout the year and is open for visits from May to September with limited opening days and hours - check before you visit.
Access Features:
- Disabled parking on the gravel terrace.
- Assistant dogs are allowed in the hall gardens and tearooms.
- Access to avoid the steps down to the gardens and tearoom is via an accessible gate along well-cut short lawn.
- Accessible toilet is in the main house and a ramp is available to facilitate access over the two low steps and supportive grab rails either side of the entrance door.
- There is no lift to the first floor of the house due to its listed building status, but wheelchair uses are very welcome to explore the ground floor.
- There is a wheelchair available to use free of charge.
- The team at Leighton Hall are very welcoming and will do their best to accommodate access needs.
- The gardens and parkland are accessible for wheelchairs but an electric one would find it more manageable for the woodland trails.
Leighton Hall is a host venue for the dementia friendly Walks for All and experienced at welcoming visitors who are living with dementia.
This venue has accessible parkland, gardens and woodland. If you have the stamina and an off-road wheelchair the view from the top of Summerhouse hill is worth all the effort. There is woodland trail from the top of Summer house hill to Peter’s Lane which is fully accessible to mobility aids.
Lakeland Wildlife Oasis Hale, Milnthorpe , LA7 7FE
015395 63027
This zoo is particularly accessible due to it’s smaller size than the larger regional zoos. It packs in over 100 species and with half under cover it is perfect for a rainy day adventure. It is undergoing redevelopment at present, but they are mindful of access needs and will be doing their best regarding accessible way marking and viewing areas.
Access Features:
- No essential carers ticket, but a concession rate is offered.
- The zoo is undergoing redevelopment including the car park area, and so at present there areno marked disabled parking bays.
- All dogs are allowed in the inside cafe and outdoor cafe area.
- Accessible toilet
- Trails are accessible to manual wheelchairs
Heron Corn Mill Mill Lane, Beetham, LA7 7PQ
015395 64271
The is a working 18th century watermill located on the River Bela in Beetham and is a Grade 11* listed heritage site. The Mill is a host venue for the dementia friendly Walks for All project and run numerous informative and community events through the year.
Access Features:
- No disabled parking, but all parking is a 50 m distance to the entrance
- Accessible toilet at the bottom of a gently graded accessible path way
- Dogs welcome on leads
Holgates Cove Road, Silverdale, LA5 0SH
01524 701508
Operating since 1956, Holgates is a long-standing holiday park in Silverdale. It is beautifully positioned near the coast in Silverdale with well managed park and woodland. Restaurant and leisure facilities are open to the public.
Access Features:
- No essential carer ticket into the leisure facilities including the swimming pool
- No disabled bays, but well signposted to indicate accessible access to the reception area. Holgates is a popular venue so parking can be a challenge, there is an overspill car park and a drop off area
- Assistant dogs are welcome in the restaurant
- The Leisure facilities have a disabled showering room and toilet, but no changing bed area at present so guests will struggle if they cannot weight bear to change
- Automated entrance doors
- Large accessible toilet
- Reception, shop, arcade and restaurant are all wheelchair accessible
- Over 16s area is generally a more quiet area is accessible via ramp down to the arcade, and has access door from there
- Staff here are welcoming and supportive to requests for assistance
Places to Eat & Drink (with nearby walks)
Old School Brewery Holly Bank, Crag Rd, Warton, LA5 9PL
01524 740888
This friendly pub is based in a perfect location, at the foot of the ecological gem of Warton Crag Nature Reserve, they are very welcoming to all and dogs! Warton village is just a mile north of the market town of Carnforth.
Access Features:
- Spacious disabled toilet
- Wheelchair friendly access into the pub garden
- The indoor space is small however stools can be moved to accommodate a wheelchair
- Parking is limited in a small car park adjacent next to the brewery - there is on road parking available
- The National Landscape is working to improve the paths from the brewery area to the main reserve car park area
- The Old School Brewery is a host venue for the dementia friendly Walks for All and are experienced at welcoming visitors who are living with dementia
Nearby Walks - This venue is near to Warton Crag, and the main nature reserve area has ample parking and information boards. It is 300 m west along a road with steadily increasing incline. The National Landscape is working to improve the paths from the brewery area to the main reserve car park area where it will be an accessible walk to enjoy viewing the incredible Peregrine Falcons, and the beautiful flora and fauna associate with the local limestone geology.
The Albion Pub The Promenade, LA5 0HA
01524 761 226
This pub sits advantageously on the corner of The Promenade and Silverdale Road, allowing for fantastic views west and east down the expansive Kent Estuary. Especially wonderful on a summer’s evening!
Accessible Features:
- No parking but on road parking available close by
- Dog friendly
- Accessible toilet
- Access into the pub is by a flat walkway via the right hand side when facing the entrance
- Staff are always happy to assist
Nearby Walks - Cross over the road to The Promenade Parking area and follow the road to the coastline path, which is a sealed pathway to just past the Coastguard Hut. If you have an off-road wheelchair the shore is free of rocky terrain for about a mile. At the end of The Promenade Road there is also a community woodland called Ashmeadow Woodland which has an amazing accessible kissing gate! It is a climb of nearly a 100 ft to the top trail, coming down through the trails using a manual wheelchair would be doable but an electric off-road wheelchair would get visitors up to the beautiful viewing bench area overlooking the coastline.
Accommodation
Finding Accessible Accommodation can be a challenge, we have listed three below who if especially booked in advance can secure an accessible stay in or very close to the National Landscape.
Ye Olde Fighting Cocks The Promenade, Carnforth , LA5 0HD
01524 761 176
The pub sits on The Promenade also and has a cosy nautical inspired interior, it is great to see the accessible accommodation provided here!
Access Features:
- Pub car park with two electric hook up points
- Dog friendly
- Large spacious seating areas
- Accessible toilet
Accommodation:
- Recently refurbished and has a large disabled room, and a spacious wet room. The living area has supportive handles and an accessible seating area.
Just outside the National Landscape boundary is the historic market town of Carnforth where more accessible accommodation can be found at the:
Royal Station Hotel Market Street, Carnforth, LA5 9BT
01524 733636
Sitting in the town centre conveniently close to Carnforth Railway Station and local amenities, this historic hotel also has accessible accommodation. On road parking and ability to drop off.
Access Features:
- Dogs welcome
- Accessible toilet
- Accessible seating areas
- Staff on hand to support
- Lift
Accommodation:
- One king size double room with shower - wheelchair accessible. On the first floor via lift.
Pine Lake Resort A6, Warton, Carnforth LA6 1JZ
01524 736190
This resort is just outside the National Landscape boundary but is a perfect base to find accessible accommodation and be close to explore the area. The self-catering accommodation consisting of Studio Apartments and Two bedroom Lodges. There are on site amenities such as a heated pool, spa, and restaurant.
Access Features:
- Good number of disabled parking bays close to the reception area
- Assistant dogs allowed in the restaurant
- Accessible toilet
- Hearing Loop available
- Restaurant open to the public
Accommodation:
- 3 accessible Lodges with adapted shower rooms
- 2 accessible apartments with adapted shower room