GRANGE-over-Sands is bursting with charm and has plenty of prominent reminders of its 19th century heyday as a fashionable seaside resort.

The town has an attractive selection of independent boutique shops, with local bakeries, greengrocers and butchers also reflecting the thriving local community at the heart of the high street.

There are a range of tasty eateries to suit every budget too, from fine restaurants to homely tea rooms.

After a stroll around the shops for some retail therapy, Grange’s ornamental gardens are packed full of Edwardian elegance.

As well as being home to a large collection of wildfowl from around the world, there are colourful blooms to enjoy through the seasons.

The gardens lead onto Grange’s long waterfront promenade, with fantastic panoramic views across Morecambe Bay.

From here, visitors can also access the immaculate railway station – with lots of original features reminiscent of a bygone age – and hop onto a train along the Cumbrian Coast Line.

Just six minutes away by train is Arnside.

This former fishing village is a popular spot set in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Visitors can enjoy Arnside’s eclectic mix of small, independent shops scattered along the promenade.

There is also a great mixture of local gifts, arts and crafts, ceramics, antiques and other quirky mementos.

Seaside cafes, bakeries and espresso bars are scattered along the prom, and Arnside’s fish and chips are renowned for miles around.

Many pubs, cafes and restaurants have the added advantage of estuary views back out across Morecambe Bay.

Visitors can round off a trip to Arnside by exploring the Arnside and Silverdale Area of Outstanding Beauty (AONB), which this year celebrates 50 years since it was officially designated as a unique landscape of national importance.

This area is renowned for its ancient woodlands, spectacular limestone pavements and coastal scenery.

It’s also a haven for birds, rare butterflies and alpine plants.

As well as a network of footpaths for walking of all abilities, the Bay Cycle Way (NCN 700) winds its way through the AONB and has a great blend of traffic-free paths and quiet lanes suitable for two-wheeled adventures.

Find out more about Cumbria’s vibrant high streets by visiting Cumbria Tourism’s visitor website: www.visitlakedistrict.com/highstreets.