About Storth & Sandside
Storth and Sandside are two south Cumbrian villages that border each other on the road between Milnthorpe and Arnside. They sit on the south shore of the River Kent and offer magnificent views of the Lakeland Fells across the sweeping sandy estuary. There is free roadside parking all along the shoreline at Storth providing the opportunity for a walk towards Arnside along a concessionary footpath (accessible at low tide only). Please be aware that the path passes through marshland which is a protected wildlife habitat.
Storth has a long history, having been an important centre for fishing in the 19th century. It has a village hall that hosts events throughout the year, and a shop and Post Office that can be found on Yans Lane. Accommodation is available at Plantation Cottage on the edge of the village, and Rock + Run climbing and mountaineering shop can be found in Sandside.
There is a public footpath running through the villages that was once the Hincaster branch line of the Furness Railway. Walking this path will take you under the ‘Skew Bridge’ and past the old Quarry Warehouse and original Lime Kilns behind which is the quarry that is still in use as a commercial concern today.
Popular sites to visit include:
- Storth shoreline for spectacular views and waterside walks.
- Hincaster railway line footpath.
How to get there
From Milnthorpe take the B5282 towards Arnside first passing Sandside then Storth both on your left.
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 villages of Storth & Sandside:
- 550 Milnthorpe to Morecambe Tuesdays only.
- 552 Arnside to Kendal Mon to Sat.
Parking
There is free parking all along the shoreline at Storth, but aside from this there is very limited parking in the villages with many roads comprising narrow lanes. 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 no public toilets in Storth & Sandside, but 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
To find a local café or pub you'll likely need to visit nearby Milnthorpe, Arnside or Beetham. The village does occasionally host 'Shipwrecked' pop up pub events in the village hall.
Local Shops
- Small shop and Post Office in Storth centre
- Rock + Run climbing and mountaineering shop
Local Accommodation Providers
- Plantation Cottage
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.