Warton
Warton is a place of two parts: Warton Crag is a 163-metre limestone outcrop that towers above the village to the north, protecting it from the worst of the weather cutting across Morecambe Bay. Managed by The National Trust, RSPB and the Arnside & Silverdale National Landscape, archaeological remains show prehistoric caves and an Iron Age hill fort indicating there has been human settlement here for thousands of years.
The Doomsday book records that Warton was then one of 12 manors which belonged to an Englishman named Torfin in 1066. By the Middle Ages it had grown into a town, with a market charter granted in 1199. It was an important staging point on the old route north to Scotland, however, from the 18th Century, industrial change drew the centres of commerce and development, and the main route north, away to nearby Carnforth. As a consequence, the heart of mediaeval Warton has been left largely unchanged, making this a very interesting historical place to visit.
Warton boasts an impressive 30 listed buildings including the old rectory ruins, the impressive Parish Church of St Oswalds, and remains of the Free Grammer School founded in 1594 by Matthew Hutton, a local man who became Archbishop of York. Warton’s second famous connection is to George Washington, who was a descendent of the Washington family who settled here in the 13th century. Their coat of arms can be seen in St Oswald’s Parish Church. Several old public houses and date stoned houses show what a bustling pace this was, and hint at the town’s rich past. Today it is a popular residential area, surrounded by farmland with a local micro-brewery, several public houses and a wealth of interesting walks.
Popular sites to visit include:
- Warton Old Rectory
- St Oswald's Parish Church
- Warton Crag
- The centre of Warton, where there are many listed buildings
- Lime Kiln, Crag Road
How to get there
Warton is located between Lancaster and Kendal, to the north west of Carnforth in Lancashire.
Public Transport
Trains: 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: There are regular but infrequent bus routes serving Warton, and connecting it to nearby Carnforth, where there is a frequent service running between Lancaster and Keswick. Bus information can be found on the Bus Times website.
Parking
There is very limited on-street parking in Warton, and we recommend using public transport to visit if possible. There is a large free public car park at Warton Crag Nature Reserve, which is an excellent starting point for a walk and is around ½ mile from the centre of the village.
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
The nearest public toilets including disabled access toilet facilities are in the town of Carnforth 1.5 miles away. w3w///crazy.haircuts.starters
Places to Eat and Drink
Local Accommodation Providers
Local Events
For a listing of village events visit Warton Village Website
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.