Beech Hill House is an ideal location for touring the area and for holidays in the English Lake District, North Lancashire and the western end of the Yorkshire Dales. A short drive takes you into the many coastal towns including Grange-over-Sands, Arnside and Barrow-in-Furness, the market towns of Kendal and Kirkby Lonsdale and the Lake District towns and villages including Windermere, Coniston, Ambleside and Hawkshead. Ingleton with its waterfalls and caves is but a 30 to 40 minute drive away.
The M6 motorway at J36 is approximately an 8 minute drive.
The distances and times listed below are from Beech Hill House and approximate.
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| ARNSIDE |
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Arnside is about 10 miles (17 km) and approximately a 20 minute drive.
Arnside overlooks Morecambe Bay and can be seen across the estuary from the top of our garden. It is a designated area of outstanding natural beauty and has sites of scientific interest because of the rare butterflies and alpine plants that may be found around the limestone pavements. Wooded walks around Arnside Knott, up to the "Pepper-Pot" at Silverdale and around the coast with its cliff top walks and sea views across Morecambe Bay are quite spectacular. Many pretty shops line the Arnside promenade and the view across the estuary towards Grange-over-Sands and the Lake District on a summer night should not |
to be missed.
Part of the Cumbria Coastal Way.
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| BARROW-IN-FURNESS |
Barrow-in-Furness is about 25 miles (40 km) and approximately a 40 minute drive.
The Dock Museum
North Road
T: 01229 876400
Part of the Cumbria Coastal Way.
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CARK-IN-CARTMEL |
Cark-in-Cartmel is about 8½ miles (14 km) and approximately a 16 minute drive.
Holker Hall & Gardens, Cark-in-Cartmel, Grange-over-Sands, LA11 7PL (T: 015395 58509)
Holker Hall is the home of Lord and Lady Cavendish who welcome visitors of all ages to one of the best loved stately homes in England. Set in exceptionally beautiful countryside the spectacular gardens merge into 125 acres of parkland where Fallow Deer roam. The Holker Food Hall and the Courtyard Café provide local
specialties
Ring to confirm when the Hall is open.
Lakeland Motor Museum Based at Holker Hall has over 30,000 exhibits including the Donald Campbell Bluebird exhibition. |
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| CONISTON |
Coniston is about 28 miles (37 km) and approximately a 36 minute drive.
Coniston Launch
Cruise on a 1920's launch, which is solar-electric powered so an unusual method of travelling across the lake and enjoy this beautiful area. The launch calls at 7 jetties on its tour including Brantwood, the former home of John Ruskin.
Open mid-March to 2nd November daily 10.30-4.30.
Ruskin Museum
Yewdale Road , Coniston
T: 015394 41164 |
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HAVERTHWAITE
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Haverthwaite is about 9 miles and approximately a 14 minute drive.
Lakeside & Haverthwaite Steam Railway (MORE DETAILS), Haverthwaite Station, Nr Ulverston, Cumbria
LA12 8AL - T: 015395 31594
The Lakeside and Haverthwaite Steam Railway is about a 15 minute drive from Beech Hill House along the A590 towards Barrow-in-Furness . Take a trip on the steam railway to Lakeside and back. Walk around the engine sheds and have a snack in the station cafe. |
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| INGLETON |
Settle & Carlisle Railway Trust
Ribblehead Railway Station
T: 015242 42584
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KENDAL |
Kendal is about 8½ miles (14 km) and approximately a 15 minute drive.
Kendal is an old market town well worth a visit with its many shops and restaurants.
Abbot Hall Art Gallery, Kendal, Cumbria LA9 5AL - T: 01539 722464
Kendal Museum of Natural History & Archaeology
Station Road , Kendal
T: 01539 721374
Kendal Castle
Kendal Castle, now a ruin is reputed to be the home of Catherine Parr, the last surviving wife of Henry the VIII.
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KESWICK
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Keswick is about 38 miles (61 km) and approximately a 1 hour drive.
Bowder Stone
Close to the village of Grange in the Borrowdale Valley is The massive Bowder Stone is estimated to weigh well in excess of 1000 tons and stands a short way from the village of Grange in the Borrowdale Valley near Keswick.
The Bowder Stone stands
balancing on one corner and a strong wooden set of steps has been built leading to the top for people to climb. It is a favourite with “boulderers” who attempt to climb the overhang and it has been suggested that this type of rock, which was once found only in Scotland was washed down to the valley during huge floods of the early ages where it has lain ever since.
Cars of the Stars
See the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Knightrider, Batmobiles and the Ford Torino of Starsky and Hutch plus many more cars made famous by films and television series over the years. Visit the souvenir shop whre autographs are available.
Open daily February-October. |
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| LAKESIDE |
Lakeside is about 8 miles (13 km) and approximately a 12 minute drive.
Aquarium of the Lakes
Situated at Lakeside on the southern end of Lake Windermere where steamers leave at regular intervals is a fresh water aquarium, which features otters, pike, char, British sharks and rays. See the water voles and harvest mice on their nocturnal activities and the under water tunnel featuring giant carp and diving ducks.
Daily talks, childrens quiz trails and special event days available.
Coffee shop overlooks Lake Windermere.
Open all year.
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LEVENS HALL |
Levens Hall is an Elizabethan House with it's world famous topiary gardens |
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| SELLAFIELD |
Go ExperiMental
Be a scientist for the day and visit the science workshops. Take a tour and go interactive by walking with the dinosaurs or swim with the sharks in Europe's premier immersion cinema.
Open daily. |
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| SILVERDALE |
Silverdale is about 12 miles (19 km) and approximately a 22 minute drive.
R.S.P.B. Leighton Moss Nature Reserve
Leighton Moss is the largest remaining reedbed in the North West of the country. Breeding bitterns, bearded tits, marsh harriers and avocets have found their home there. There are a number of nature trails to wander round, a visitor centre, shop and tea-room.
Open all year.
Start of the Cumbria Coastal Way.
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| SIZERGH |
Sizergh Castle is part of the National Trust and lies about 4½ miles from Beech Hill House along the A590 on left as you travel towards the M6 motorway.
Explore Sizergh castle, a 14th century Pele tower, which was extended in Tudor times with a house and gardens to walk around, which is still lived in by the Strickland family today. View the centuries-old portraits, fine furniture and ceramics collections. The imposing house stands amongst rich and beautiful gardens with a pond, lake and an important collection of hardy ferns with the largest limestone rock garden in the National Trust.
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ULVERSTON |
Laurel & Hardy Museum
4c Upper Brook Street , Ulverston
T: 01229 582292
Part of the Cumbria Coastal Way.
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| ULLSWATER |
Ullswater Steamers
Ullswater's famous “steamers” cruises eight miles around the lake taking around two hours allowing you to absorb the wonders of the lake's surrounding hills and fells.
Open all year weather permitting. |
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WINDERMERE |
is about a 30 minute drive.
Windermere Steamboat Museum
Rayrigg Road , Windermere
T: 015394 45565 |
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| WITHERSLACK - more about the area. |
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