The Bay (From The Westmorland Gazette)

The Bay

3:56pm Wednesday 11th March 2009

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JUST a stone’s throw away from all the splendour of the Lake District lies miles of sandy beaches, sprawling coastlines and charming villages that all encompass Morecambe Bay.

This famous bay boasts areas of outstanding beauty and combines breathtaking views with a wealth of attractions, offering visitors both a relaxed seaside retreat and a culture-rich experience.

The jewel in the crown is the coastal resort of Morecambe, which is undergoing an exciting transformation that will see it re-born with all the quirk and character for which it was once nationally famed.

The town’s five-mile stretch of seafront promenade is the perfect starting point for exploring. Walk alongside the famous Eric Morecambe statue, cast your eye across the bay to the Lakeland fells or soak up the sunshine on the golden beach.

Families will find no shortage of activities, with a multiplex cinema, ten-pin bowling alley and the popular Happy Mount Park all within close proximity of the promenade. For culture vultures, The Platform and The Dome centres host a variety of live entertainment performances, from top musical acts to plays.

Each September the resort steps back in time to celebrate the Morecambe Heritage Gala, featuring RAF aerial displays, fireworks and an historical vehicle rally.

The pinnacle of Morecambe is the famous art deco Midland Hotel, which is undergoing a sensitive restoration after standing lifeless for many years. It is set to re-open in all its glory in June.

A few miles north along the curving coastline is the market town of Carnforth, which is famous in its own right for being home to the train station where Trevor Howard and Celia Johnson embarked on their ill-fated love affair in David Lean’s romantic classic Brief Encounter. The station’s refreshment room has been lovingly restored to replicate the set used for the film for visitors to enjoy.

The calming flow of Lancaster Canal also runs through Carnforth and those seeking a peaceful afternoon can meander along the route on one of Budgie Transport’s boat trips.

Nestled among rolling hills close to Carnforth is Leighton Hall, the historic home of the world-renowned Gillow furniture making family. Set in acres of beautiful gardens, the hall entices thousands of visitors a year and hosts a number of prestigious events, including the Lakeland Classic Car Rally in July, the Leighton Hall Food and Craft Fair in September and Shakespeare in the Garden, which will feature Much Ado About Nothing in July.

The city of Lancaster is situated close by and is a popular destination for all ages, with its mix of contemporary living alongside historic foundations. Standing tall over the city and steeped in history is Lancaster Castle, which still operates as a working building today, and across town is the equally timeless Ashton Memorial at Williamson Park. As well as being home to a tropical butterfly house, the park also hosts a number of outdoor events and outdoor theatre performances during the summer months.

The city’s thriving cultural scene is also evident with two acclaimed theatres –The Dukes and the Nuffield – popular galleries, bustling shopping areas and a rich choice of eateries.

For those wanting to experience local history first hand, the market town of Milnthorpe offers a number of attractions with a traditional twist.

Heron Corn Mill on the banks of the River Bela gives a true insight into the industry of the local area. There is documentary evidence of there being a mill on the site since 1096 and it has a permanent exhibition showing the development of the mill and its processes over the last 900 years.

It also holds occasional paper-making and bread-making demonstrations, which allow visitors to roll up their sleeves and try their hand at the traditional craft.

Visitors can continue their journey back in time at the nearby Levens Hall, with its award-winning topiary gardens and historic architecture that have been made famous by TV costume dramas, such as the BBC’s adaptation of Elizabeth Gaskell’s classic novel Wives and Daughters.

A visit to Morecambe Bay would not be complete without taking stock in one of the area’s quintessential coastal villages that boast sandy shores, famous wetlands and a wealth of wildlife.

An afternoon can easily be wiled away under the sun outside one of Arnside’s seafront pubs or you can explore the village’s areas of outstanding natural beauty. There are also sites of scientific interest due to the rare butterflies and alpine plants that can be found around the limestone pavements.

Nearby is the RSPB Leighton Moss Reserve at Silverdale, which is home to the largest remaining reedbed in north west England and an array of rare and special birds, such as breeding bitterns, bearded tits, marsh harriers and avocets.

And after exploring all there is to see and do along the sweeping coastline, there is also the opportunity to take to the sand and cross the bay from Arnside to Kents Bank at Grange-over-Sands on a specially organised walk led by the Queen’s Guide to the Sands, Cedric Robinson, who has been guiding the famous route for many years.