Arnside
Lying on the shores of Morecambe Bay, this attractive village is popular with both visitors and the local community. Take in stunning views of the Lakeland Fells and spectacular sunsets, browse the local shops, stop for a drink or a meal in the cafes and pubs or enjoy a gentle stroll along the promenade
Look out for The Arnside Bore, the tidal wave caused by the surge of the incoming tide meeting resistance from the sands and channels of the bay. As the sun, moon, wind and rain can all affect the height and speed of the bore, it is impossible to predict when it will be at its most spectacular but it is said that the tide can sometimes come in as fast as a galloping horse!
To have a chance of seeing the Bore at Arnside, aim to be on Arnside Promenade 1.5-2 hours before high water. Check the Admiralty website to see the week’s tide predictions for Arnside (remembering to allow for British Summer Time if necessary).
People have walked across the sands of Morecambe Bay for hundreds of years but with fast flowing tides, ever changing channels and quicksands, it is a dangerous place to be and not to be attempted without the help of the King’s Guide (of the Guide Over Sands Trust), who leads several walks each year.
About Arnside Village
Arnside is a hidden gem of a village, right on the border of Cumbria and Lancashire. It has plenty of free shoreside parking allowing visitors to enjoy the spectacular panoramic views across to the Lakeland Fells and beyond before they even step out of their car. Bring a camera for a photo of the impressive 51-pier railway viaduct that carries the line over the River Kent estuary.
Stroll along the waterfront to the little pier, passing cafes, gift shops and a small sandy beach along the way, then sit and admire the view from the numerous benches that are available. If you’re there at the right time you can watch the famous Bore tidal wave as it races up the estuary on the incoming tide. This natural phenomenon occurs one and a half to two hours before high tide and can be as fast as a galloping horse! Listen out for the coastguard sounding a siren as the tide approaches to ensure people keep off the dangerous sands.
If time allows you can visit Arnside Knott on the edge of the village. In 2005 the Knott was designated as a ‘Marilyn’, which is a hill with a prominence of 150m or more. The Arnside Marilyn is currently recorded as the smallest in England, and after an energising walk to the top it will reward you with fantastic views of the surrounding area.
Popular sites to visit include:
- Arnside Pier and Beach
- Ashmeadow Woodlands
- Beachwood Nature Reserve
- Arnside Knott
You can find out more at Arnside & Silverdale National Landscapes local information centre near the railway station.
How to get there
Head North on the A6 from Carnforth and find a number of left turns towards Arnside along the way. These are minor cross-country roads with a more major route being to turn left at the traffic lights in the centre of Milnthorpe and taking the B5282 straight through to Arnside village passing through Sandside and Storth on the way. Or come South on the A6 to Milnthorpe and turn right at the lights.
Public Transport
Trains: There is a railway station on Station Road in Arnside which runs parallel with the railway line just before the aqueduct.
It is on the Northern Rail network and there are regular trains to and from Lancaster. Further up the line is Grange-over-Sands, Barrow-in-Furness and stations up the coast to Carlisle.
Timetables can be found via National Rail Enquiries. Information about Arnside Station, including cycle storage and accessibility is available on the Northern Railway Website.
Buses: The following bus routes serve the village of Arnside:
- 550 Milnthorpe to Morecambe Tuesdays only.
- 552 Arnside to Kendal Mon to Sat.
- 51 Carnforth Railway Station to Holgates Caravan Park.
Parking
There is free parking all along the promenade and on the beach next to the railway viaduct in Arnside where there is an area of sandy beach to enjoy. The car park at the end of the Promenade opposite the Fish & Chip shop is prone to flooding during high tides. The village can be busy in good weather, so it may be difficult to find suitable parking.
Street parking in front of the shops is restricted to one hour during the day and motorhome or caravan parking is not permitted along the Promenade overnight.
As Arnside is well connected by train and bus routes, we recommend using public transport to visit if possible. There have been recent incidents where parked cars have blocked gates, driveways and emergency services access in the National Landscape, so please be very careful where you park in the village.
Public Toilets
There are serviced public toilets on the promenade at Arnside which include disabled access. A fee is required for entry which can only be paid by card. RADAR keys are also accepted for the disabled toilet. Find them at w3w///renewals.venturing.skate
We are not aware of any local businesses that have full disabled access to their property and toilets.
Places to Eat and Drink
- The Olde Fighting Cocks Hotel
- The Albion Pub Crossfields Cafe & Bar
- The Big Chip - Arnside Chip Shop
- The Posh Sarnie Cafe
- The Sandpiper Cafe - Closed Tue & Wed
- The Old Bakehouse Bakery & Cafe
- Arnside Beach Hut Cafe
- The Bob In (at New Barnes)
Local Shops
Along with a couple of handy mini-marts you will find some lovely local shops along the waterfront to browse around.
- The Country Shop Ladies & Mens Clothing
- The Little Shop Gift & Card Shop
- She Sells Boutique Dress Agency
- Arnside House Gifts & Homewares
- The Coast Office Gift Shop
- Art Gallery Shop
- Homeleigh Vintage Homewares Shop
Local Accommodation Providers
- Ye Olde Fighting Cocks Hotel
- Parkside Guest House
- Kentwood Guest House
Before You Visit
Make sure you’re familiar with the updated Countryside Code, so that you can stay safe and help us look after this beautiful landscape.
Check the tide timetables.
When you’re visiting
Think about how you park – please don’t obstruct pavements and dropped kerbs, pathways, driveways or gates, or park on verges or blind bends. Make sure you leave enough room for a large vehicle such as a bus or fire engine to pass and consider the need for pedestrians to socially distance. If parking on the shore, be aware of tide timetables.
Drive safely – many roads in Arnside do not have pavements and at points can be very narrow. Be aware of people walking in the road. Observe the 20mph speed limit, drive carefully, and show consideration to people using prams and wheelchairs.
Take your litter home – If you are going out for the day, take spare bags for litter, wipes, and waste – and take it home.
Don’t be a risk to others – The shifting sands of Morecambe Bay are dangerous. Emergency services have been called out many times to rescue people stranded by the fast-incoming tide or stuck in mud and sinking sand. If you ignore the dangers, you put your life and others’ lives at risk.