The Saturday after I’d been to London I felt like I needed to get out for a walk, but nothing too strenuous after a busy week, but something that would blow the cobwebs away. I didn’t fancy driving so decided I’d get the train over to Arnside for a route that would take me along Morecambe Bay and up the small hill known as Arnside Knott.
It was rather grey and overcast when I arrived, but the thick cloud soon cleared leading to a warm, sunny day.
From the station I walked over to the “prom” and set out along the Kent estuary towards Morecambe Bay. The tide was well out, revealing the expansive flat sands. They looked harmless enough but many people have lost their lives in the treacherous quicksands or when the tide rushes in “faster than a running horse” No danger of that today, the tide wasn’t due in for several hours and the siren announcing the turn of the tide only sounded when I was safely back in Arnside at the end of my walk.
With the tide well out I strayed deep ont the sands before returning to the shore at Far Arnside. I then crossed a couple of caravan sites and took the path up towards Arnside Tower.
The ruined building is a Pele Tower, one of many small fortified keeps or tower houses, built close to the English and Scottish borders from times when these lands were plagued by raiders and reivers.
Descending th e hill I spotted that since the last time I was around here the farm near the tower had opened a cafe that was open at weekends and school holidays, so I stopped off for a brew
Refreshed on a hot day I carried on towards the Knott
climbing up through the woods
After a short climb I reached the ridge and was greeted with great views over the Kent estuary towards the main Lakeland Fells in the distance
and over Morecambe Bay, where the tide was still well out
After taking in the view while I had a bite to eat, I set off back down the hill towards Arnside via the estuary.
I followed the shore back to the prom
where I treated myself to an ice cream which I ate sitting on the small pier looking over the railway bridge (tide still not back in!)
It was nearly time for the train – a direct one back to Wigan so no need to change at Lancaster!
so only just over an hour after boarding the train I was back home after an enjoyable day’s walk.
Down by the Dougie 
You enjoyed much better weather than I did on a recent visit, will have to return to this lovely area.
Yes, I was lucky with the weather. It started grey but soon turned sunny. Warm, but not too hot and so visibility was good too – I got a good view of the panorama of the Lakeland Fells from on top of the Knott. Would have been nice if the tide had been in when I was on the Knott (but not while I was on the Bay!!)
I used to live near a bay on Vancouver Island where the tide went so far out it felt like I could walk to the mainland. Your pictures reminded me of my old home. I could practically smell the sand and the sea. Thanks for that.
Morecambe Bay has one of the largest tidal ranges over here. It’s dangerous to cross but at one time there were routes across the sands that were crossed by people on foot and horse drawn wagons and carriages! Not today though but there are guided walks led by the Queen’s Guide.
Vancouver Island looks really good (as does much of Canada). But so big,unlike our dinky country
But your dinky country has so much history and so many walkable walks.
Yes, we do have a lot of variety in a small area too.
One of my favorite walks that one (lucky that my friend Mark lives just around the corner in Silverdale). Arnside Knott is one of the very best small hills with sensational views on clear day like this one. Cracking stuff.
It must be goodto have a free B & B and local guide in the area 😂
You’re definitely right about the Knott. Most times I’ve been up there visibility over to the Lakes has been good. But it’s a good walk in any case
Your post reminded me my weekend there. It is absolutely gorgeous and little known I loved it.
Yes it’s a nice area. (Let’s keep the secret to ourselves 😉)
Lovely walk, and a bonus cafe – result!
Your so lucky to have such good railway connections. Think it’s about three trains for me to get to Arnside. It’s a lovely part of the world. I had a beetroot latte in that little coffee shop ‘ Moochin About’ opposite the station. My other half had coffee. He thinks beetroot is poison. 🙂 The branch in the sand is a laurel branch and yes they are used as waymarkers on the Morecambe Bay Cross Bay walk. We did it about four years ago.
My wife always says that the best thing about Wigan is that it’s easy to get out of it!
I’d heard about the cafe and was going to have a brew there as I had a little wait for my train, but it’s only small and it was heaving. I did manage to get a browse at the LPs they sell though