06/02/2022
The local area
The historic villages of Arnside and Silverdale sit on the coastline of Morecambe Bay in a spot that’s been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty thanks to its rich diversity of habitats and wildlife. Its deciduous woodlands, limestone grasslands and coastal salt marshes are enclosed by low limestone hills creating a perfect environment for rare butterflies and marshland birds.
The house is located just to the back of Eves Wood. The Eaves Wood hillside consists largely of ancient and undisturbed woodlands. The bare limestone with its thin soil is home to numerous yew trees, while deeper soils support oak and lime trees. Part of the National Trust the woodland seclusion is complete and unbroken, and you have to find your way around this leafy maze with care. Eves wood can be accessed from a footpath off Wallings lane, heading down the lane it’s left after the large white house. From the pathway, it’s a short walk to the Pepperpot, a monument standing at 250 feet above sea level from where you’ll find a bird's eye view over Silverdale.
Navigating North West through the woods you should come across the nearby Arnside Tower. A castle ruin built by the De Broughton family around 1340. It is within visual or signaling distance of several other similar Castles in the area such as Hazelslack, Borwick, Beetham, Levens, Sizergh and Wraysholme across the sands. From the castle, it's a short climb to the top of Arnside Knott from where you will find great views.
Looking to the left from the front of the house, the seaside resort of Morecambe, the big boxes of Heysham nuclear power station, The Ashton Memorial and Blackpool Tower should all be in view. If the weather is really clear Mount Snowdonia will be clearly visible on the center of the horizon. To the right, the Furness peninsula, Walney Island, and some Lake District peaks can be seen.
The bay is broad and shallow, with a tidal range of up to 10.5m, it’s ever changing as sands shift and channels swerve. The bay's broad funnel-like shape and shallow depth affect the tidal ebb and flow, creating strong currents. Tidal bores can roar over the sands at speeds of nine knots. These powerful tidal currents mold the soft sediments, piling them into sandbanks, gouging out deep muddy channels and scooping out deep holes that fill with quicksand whose positions can change daily.
The bay was used as a shortcut to access the Furnace peninsula and the Lake District in the past. The combination of fast tides, quicksands, draining rivers, shifting channels has trapped the unwary for centuries. However it can be perfectly safe to venture far out into the sands and many people do, often crossing over to the furnace Peninsular. Knowledge of the tide times, a long stick and a mobile phone should be enough to keep safe. Tide times vary by the time of year and can be found on the BBC website. When the tide is out and the weather has been dry it’s the perfect playground especially for games of cricket or rounders. We have a rounders set in the shed. Also, there are lots of interesting caves to explore. The shore is a 5 min walk away; take the footpath to the right after the large white house near the bottom of Wallings lane.
Silverdale village center is a mile walk away from the house. In the village center, you will find a Co-Op, two Bistro pubs, a cafe, an Indian restaurant and a number of other shops.
Arnside Villiage promenade is a 2 mile walk away from the house. There you will find several pubs and restaurants with views over the Bay, a fish and chip shop and an Art gallery.
Next door to the house you will find Holgates caravan park. Open to guest visitors the caravan park has a large bar and restaurant. For a fee guest visitors can access their 17m heated swimming pool with bubble pool, spa pool and toddlers pool, sauna and steam rooms. There’s also a bowling alley.
Bird watching at the RSPB
The reserve in the village Leighton Moss is the largest reed bed in northern England and home to some really special birds. There’s a selection of trails and hides where you can get right to the heart of the reedbed. Or take the nature trail alongside two coastal lagoons to see lots of wading and water birds. There is a visitor center with lots of displays and a café that sells home-made meals.
Silverdale's Hawes water lake
The large fresh water lake is surrounded by woodland and makes for a picturesque walk or wild swimming.
Woodwell and the surrounding woods
A picturesque woodland just south of the village center. Turn right down the hill onto Stankelt rd after passing through the village and then continue straight onto Lindeth road following signs for woodwell. As well as climbing, Woodwell is popular with locals as a place to walk the dog, bird watch and just relax in general. As the name suggests the focal point of the area is an old stone well, where the people of Silverdale would once come to wash their clothes.
Clay pigeon shooting and paintballing
Paintmine Woods based in the village offers a great paintballing and clay pigeon shooting experience
Golf
Silverdale 18 hole Golf Club is set in a stunning location and has fabulous views over the surrounding countryside, across Morecambe Bay and towards the Cumbrian Howgill Fells. Open to guest players.
Climbing
Historically better known for its classic climbing routes, Trowbarrow quarry Silverdale has now built up a reputation as an excellent bouldering (climbing small rocks without ropes or equipment) venue. The two main areas are the mighty Shelter Stone, and its selection of good HARD limestone boulder problems, and the old school sector of Red Wall - the ultimate wet weather venue - and its infinite array of eliminates.
The Woodlands a 5 min walk away from the house is a popular pub amongst locals. Based in an old mansion near the bottom of the lane, it has a great atmosphere but doesn’t serve food.
