Out & About
Just a mile from the M6 junction 35, our holiday cottages are half an hour's drive from the Lake District, The Yorkshire Dales and The Forest of Bowland, we also have unlimited things to do on our doorstep.
Lancaster Canal
Our holiday cottages are right next to Tewitfield Locks on the Lancaster Canal at the edge of a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. You can walk for miles along the banks of the canal or just sit and watch the boats manoeuvring - you'll soon recognise the experts!
Greenlands Farm Village
Across the road is a visitor centre with Farm shop, café, pottery, wine shop and garden centre plus a huge playbarn and animals to visit.
Morecambe
Morecambe Bay with its beautiful sandy beaches is 20 minutes away from our holiday cottages. Enjoy a spot of quintessential English seaside with spectacular views across the bay to the Lakeland hills. We might be boasting - but you will watch the most beautiful sunsets in England!
Spend a day in Morecambe and discover: The Midland Hotel Morecambe’s crowning glory, the stunning art deco Midland Hotel reopened in June 2008 following its complete refurbishment by Urban Splash. Originally built in the 1930’s, the amazing Grade II* Listed building was once a favourite haunt of icons like Coco Chanel, Wallace Simpson and Lawrence Olivier. It is worth a visit just to see the restoration of some of the original features such as the famous seahorses crafted by 20th Century sculptor, Eric Gill for the hotel when it first opened. One of his largest surviving works, a Portland Stone relief featuring Odysseus and Nausicaa symbolising hospitality, has also been returned to its original position in the hotel lobby. It’s also the perfect place to stop for something to eat or drink either in the restaurant or the Rotunda Bar, both with amazing views over the sea.
Cross Bay Walks
An utterly unique experience – walk right across Morecambe Bay (approximately 9 miles) with an experienced guide. Enjoy the thrill of crossing fast running channels, with the knowledge that a tractor is at hand if it’s all too much. Group walks run regularly from Hest Bank and Ambleside, or can be privately organised on request. And if walking’s just too slow for you, local charity CancerCare organises the annual CrossBay – a half marathon unlike any other attended by runners from all round the world.
Art by the sea
Miles of art along the seafront that the public cannot help but interact with. Whether you play hopscotch on the stone jetty or follow the amazing ‘flock of words’ with pieces from Genesis to Spike Milligan. Known as the Tern Project, the art has all been inspired by the wide range of birds that shelter in the Bay.
Commissioned in 1994 as part of the regeneration and coastal protection programme, it shows just what great things can result from collaboration between creative and technical types.
The Winter Gardens
Once one of the most popular theatres in the country, The Winter Gardens is currently actively raising funds for renovation. In the 30s and 40s, it was the opening venue for many West End shows and Britain’s finest including George Formby, Laurel and Hardy, and of course Morecambe and Wise performed here. As part of the fundraising campaign, occasional performances now take place with audiences advised to bring blankets in the winter to huddle under. Although it is only a ghost of the place it once was, it is open on Sundays during the season and it is an incredibly atmospheric place to wander around.
On Your Bike
People in Lancaster and Morecambe are big on cycling. With an extensive cycling network, it’s an incredibly safe place to travel around by bike, and if you don’t have one to bring, they can be hired locally. There are endless different routes to follow but one of the most breathtaking must be the run along the entire length of the seafront. It’s an exhilarating 10 mile return trip from Hest Bank to Heysham. There’s nothing more invigorating than sea air fresh from the bay.
Art Deco Architecture
Morecambe’s heyday was in the early part of the last century with investment being poured in during the 1930s, the lucky result being the Art Deco influence to the architecture. Look above the shopfronts as you walk around and you will see countless examples. If you’re a real fan, the art deco walks show you the examples you might otherwise miss right down to the art deco ‘public conveniences.’
Poulton
Poulton is the original fishing village that existed long before the birth of Morecambe. Currently the focus of a regeneration campaign, it is a quaint place to wander around with dramatic murals based on a fishing theme that have been created in a project between local artists and the community.
Heysham
The epitome of an English village. Take a walk past the old smuggling cottages down to Half Moon Bay. St Patrick’s chapel stands on a rocky crag, overlooking the bay and dates from around 750AD. Next to it are 8 rock hewn graves dating from a similar period and an ancient burial ground in which 85 sets of bones were found. This whole area is now owned by the National Trust. Stop at a coffee shop or lunch in the 16th century pub.
Sunderland Point
A single-track road leads to what was once a busy 18th century port with ships docking from America and the West Indies. Just a hamlet now, it is best known for Sambo’s grave , a tribute to an African slave who died on arrival at Sunderland Point. It is now lovingly tended by locals and their children who bring flowers and painted stones. Check the tides before you set out because the road is cut off twice a day.
Lancaster
Historic Lancaster with its Georgian heritage and 2 universities is a fascinating place to spend a day. Mix a bit of shopping with a spot of culture - just 20 minutes from your holiday cottage.
Lancaster Castle
Dating back to the 12th century, Lancaster Castle has played a rather gruesome part in British history. Find out about witches, terrorists, handless corpses and lots of hangings. See countless torture instruments, be locked in the dungeons, and visit the drop room with its doorway to Hanging Corner.
The Ashton Memorial and Williamson's Park
Visible for miles around, the Ashton Memorial is often referred to as the ‘Taj Mahal of the North.’ It was commissioned by Lancaster’s Victorian benefactor, Lord Ashton as a tribute to his wife Jessy. From the viewing gallery, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Lancaster, Morecambe and the Lakeland Hills.
Exhibitions are often held in the Memorial and during the summer, there is an outstanding programme of outdoor theatre and concerts. With woodland walks and shady dells, the 54 acre park is a peaceful place to wander in and it’s always worth taking a pitstop to sample the homemade cakes in the café.
The Maritime Museum
Appropriately housed in the old customs house on Lancaster’s quayside, the award winning Maritime Museum celebrates the port’s illustrious past, as well as the fishing industry of Morecambe. It houses 4 restored fishing vessels and even extends to sounds and smells! The café is also well worth a visit.
The Duke’s Theatre
An absolute gem of a theatre and independent cinema – the sort of place where you can enjoy a good glass of wine with your film. The Dukes are also the people who put on the Theatre in the Park (see Williamson Park).
Art & Theatre at Lancaster University
On the campus of Lancaster University are The Nuffield Theatre and The Peter Scott Gallery. With an ever-changing programme of performances, exhibitions and concerts, it is often a good place to spend an enlightening evening.
Fish and Chip Cruises
Opened in 1799, the Lancaster canal played a vital role in Lancaster’s success as a mill town. Now it is a tranquil waterway, perfect for walking or cycling. In the summer months a waterbus runs from Lancaster to Carnforth, even offering fish and chip or hotpot cruises, in the evenings, a true taste of Lancashire.
Silverdale
Within easy reach of The Longlands, Silverdale is Britain’s smallest Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Wander through the village and then walk down to the sea at Jenny Brown’s Point for a panoramic view across the bay. Nearby Leighton Moss, run by the RSPB, is home to special birds such as breeding bitterns and bearded tits, as well as deer, and butterflies. An easy walk through the trees at Woodwell can end at The Wolfhouse Gallery which features contemporary and traditional arts, crafts, gifts, jewellery, and tearooms with homemade cakes that are definitely worth stopping for.
Arnside
Just around the coast from Silverdale is Arnside, an unspoilt coastal town. The seafront with its pretty pier has a range of interesting shops and a gentle walk leads to National Trust owned Arnside Knott. A perfect evening can be spent on the beach with fish and chips from the excellent chippy, watching the salmon leap as the sun sets.
Carnforth
A good stop-off for book and film lovers. The railway station was immortalised in “Brief Encounter” and you can enjoy a romantic tryst in the buffet. Then lose yourself in the second hand and antiquarian bookshop, one of the UK’s largest.
The Lune Valley
When John Ruskin first saw the Valley, he declared; "I do not know in all my country, still less France or Italy, a place more naturally divine…” Heading North from Lancaster, a peaceful day can be spent driving through the valley, stopping off in the pretty stone built villages that nestle here. The Crook O'Lune beauty spot is perfect for picnics and you can feast on the scenery made famous by Turner, the ‘painter of light.’
Further on it’s worth stopping at The Lunesdale Arms in Tustall - excellent food and shabby chic interior or The Highwayman in Nether Burrow which has recently been refurbished by Nigel Haworth of Northcote Manor fame.
Art lovers will enjoy the Lunesdale Studio Trail, showcasing the work of local artists, sculptors and designers.
Kirkby Lonsdale
Bijou boutique shopping. Listed buildings house arts, crafts, clothing, delis and antique shops. Refresh and recharge in one of the many inns or tearooms and don’t miss the aforementioned Ruskin’s View overlooking the River Lune or the medieval Devil's Bridge.
Stately home hopping
Aficionados will enjoy Levens Hall, a beautiful grade I manor house with world-famous gardens, Sizergh Castle with its impressive limestone rock garden, Leighton Hall, the historic home of the world-renowned Gillow furniture family and the imposing Holker Hall, where you’ll find the Great Holker Lime tree, measuring nearly 8m in girth.
The Forest of Bowland
Heading South from Lancaster, discover one of the original royal hunting forests. Newly opened access land means that it offers some of the most remote and rugged walking in the North West. If rugged isn’t your thing, then it’s ideal eating and drinking territory with more than 60 pubs to choose from.
The Lake District
Just 30 minutes on the M6, it’s easy to visit for a day trip. Towns, teashops, lakes (of course), fells and Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England at 3210 ft. Kendal, known as the “auld grey town” due to its limestone buildings, is the gateway town with good shopping and of course mint cake.
Ingleton Falls
A marked 4.5 mile trail of spectacular waterfalls through ancient woodland which takes between 2.5 and 4 hours to complete depending on your agility. Nearby is White Scar Cave, a beautiful subterranean landscape with a huge ice age cavern adorned with thousands of stalactites.
Lytham St Annes
Blackpool’s genteel sister with its sandy beach Victorian and Edwardian frontage – or if your tastes are larger and louder, the Blackpool experience, three piers and seven miles of illuminations, traditional (and not so traditional) amusements and entertainment.
Country Pursuits
If you’re just coming to relax, we are surrounded by lovely countryside for walking – Ronnie The Longlands’ black labrador will show you the way if you like. Close to The Longlands cottages we have fisheries for fishing, approximately 10 golf courses within a 30 mile radius and we can arrange for you to go Clay Pigeon shooting nearby. Or, of course you could just spend your time at The Longlands Inn and work your way through our menus!
