O'ER SANDS AND FELLS.

 Our first stop is at Arnside, on the Cumbrian Coast line, just before it crosses the Kent Estuary. Class 142 unts once served the local stations.

Another is seen beside the ex Furness Railway signal box.

A 150 'Sprinter' crosses the Kent.

So, on to Grange-over-Sands, with views of Morecambe Bay.

Grange-over-Sands town is very much a product of the Victorian era.

Here are a couple of pictures of the station, in Furness Railway days.

The Furness Railway ran both goods and passenger services through Grange-over-Sands.

LMS 12504 is seen at Grange-over-Sands with an eastbound freight.

In 1990, 47597 deputises for a DMU calling at Grange-over-Sands.

One can rest awhile and take refreshment at the Grange Hotel.

Just to the south of our next stop, Cartmel, is Holker Hall.

Cartmel village by the River Eea (Creative Commons License).

Cartmel is dominated by the 12th Century Priory.

Two views inside.

Being a tourist destination, Cartmel is well pubbed. First stop, the Kings Arms.

Next, the Royal Oak, seen in 1996 as a Whitbread pub. It's now owned by Fell Brewery - more info here.

The Pig & Whistle was once owned by Hartley's of Ulverston.

The Cavendish Arms, where one can find accommodation. It used to have its own brewhouse.

We now head into the hills, to Strawberry Bank, Cartmel Fell. There are fine views.

It's here that we find the Masons Arms, which also had its own brewery.

Down now, into the valley of the River Leven, where we meet one of the tourist trains of the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway, albeit hauled by a Drewry diesel shunter.

Haverthwaite is, naturally, our next stop. One of the 2-6-4T locos is seen outside the shed on a dreary day in 1978.

It's still raining here in 1996.

An 'Austerity' 0-6-0ST seen by the signal box at Haverthwaite.

This post concludes with D5301 beside the shed at Haverthwaite in 1997.

The next post will find us in Uverston. Follow the route here.

INTO CUMBRIA

We leave Carnforth and head north along the Lancaster Canal, crossing the River Keer by an aqueduct near Capenwray.

At Capenwray, there's a short and truncated arm. Here's the junction.

The Capenwray Arm is used for moorings these days.

This is as far as one can go.

The navigable section of the Lancaster Canal now terminates at Tewitfield Basin.

The canal once ascended a flight of locks, alongside the M6, which brought about the final demise of the northern section through to Kendal. Here are several pictures of the flight, with the canal partially de-watered.

As you can see, the M6 now forms an obstruction, though the canal had been disused since 1942.

North of here, the canal is still in water, though not navigable.

We now enter what is now Cumbria and find our first pub the Kings Arms. It was a Mitchell's house, but has since been renamed The Tavern at Hale.

Slipping across country, we find the former station at Burton & Holme, on the West Coast Main Line, seen in 1961 by Ben Brooksbank's camera. Given the distance to either village, it is no surprise that it closed.

In the village of Holme itself, a Thwaite's pub, the Smithy Inn.

We regain the remains of the Lancaster Canal at Crooklands.....

.....before heading southwest to the small town of Milnthorpe.

Flowerden House in central Milnthorpe has a bit of history....

.....and this tells you all about it.

Milnthorpe's parish church, dedicated to St Thomas.

In the middle of town is the Bull's Head, where beer and a bed can be had.

Close by, up a side street, the excellent Coach & Horses. Be careful when you depart!

Leaving Milnthorpe and heading west, we come across the Bela Viaduct, on the long closed Hincaster - Arnside line.

Indeed, the next post will see us in Arnside and beyond. Follow the route here.