Discover
This extraordinary place is famous for its amazing wildlife, stunning scenery, and superb walks. From the seasonal abundance of stunning butterflies to the shining sands of Morecambe Bay, the area is simply awe-inspiring - full of natural spectacles and a surprise around every corner.
Route 51
One of the little-known secrets of the National Landscape is the 51 bus which runs from Carnforth to Holgates and back. As it meanders along its circuitous route it takes in five villages and two railway stations. It is crisscrossed by dozens of footpaths and smaller roads, leading to historic buildings, ancient woodlands and magnificent views, making this a great way to get right into the heart of the area, and to link sections that might be too distant to tackle in a single day. This short guide and map highlight the route, and suggest eight good start and finish points. So: why not leave the car behind and explore route 51?
Practicalities: Trains are generally hourly, but buses not as frequent and do not run on Sunday. Also, the bus runs out and back along the same route, so for all these reasons you need to plan to be in the right place at the right time for your desired direction of travel! Carry an OS map, or a screenshot from the Lancashire public rights of way map. Have coinage [not notes] or a bank card to purchase tickets. Have a copy of the timetable(s) and a smart phone to access live times. Wear strong shoes or boots, clothes appropriate to the weather, and take a drink and snack. Main stops are clearly marked on the timetable, although you can ask to be set down or hail the bus in between these, think about where you do this as the driver can only stop if it is a safe place to do so.
Starting from the corner of the road by Carnforth Railway Station, the bus turns towards Warton and you enter the National Landscape as you cross the River Keer. Warton Crag looms in front of you, dominating the skyline as the route bears right and out along the side of Hyning Wood then on to Yealand Conyers [1]. Alighting here several walks are possible: explore Hyning Woods and then return to the Lancashire Coastal Way or Warton crag, across to Jenny Brown’s Point and to Silverdale, or past Leighton Hall, across Leighton Moss to the RSPB reserve, Trowbarrow, and beyond.
The road continues to Yealand Redmayne [2] where you can explore Cringlebarrow Woods and Deepdale, then head down to Leighton Hall and across the Moss to Silverdale or down through Hyning wood, you could also walk north off this map, in the direction of Beetham and the fairy steps.
As the road curls round to the left at Yealand Storrs [3], you can alight for the path down across fields with sweeping views to cross Leighton Moss, or go up to head for Haweswater, Gait Barrows [no dogs] and beyond.
[4] Is the stop for RSPB Leighton Moss, with Café, shop and toilets. You can explore the reserve [there is a fee for non-members, and no dogs], head back across the Moss towards Leighton Hall or head the other way to Trowbarrow or Silverdale. It is also only a few minutes walk over the railway bridge to Silverdale Station, a starting point for many walks, into Silverdale and up to Arnside.
Now the bus does a loop to take it across to Eaves Wood [5] where you can walk through the National Trust car park and into the woodland, heading round to Silverdale or across to Arnside. Swinging down past Silverdale Railway station, the bus continues skirting the southern edge of Silverdale to then turn down Woodwell Lane [6]. This is a good place to alight for Jenny Brown’s Point and Jack Scout, Silverdale village and wells walk, or across in the direction of Warton.
Returning to the centre of Silverdale [7], here there are shops, places to eat and public toilets, as well as a labyrinth of footpaths to explore, along the shoreline, meadows and woods. Finally route 51 skirts the top of Silverdale, terminating its outward journey at Holgates [8]. Having waited for a few minutes, the bus returns, following the same route in reverse. This is a good place to pick the bus up if you have walked from further north in the National Landscape, or to start walks along the coast or via Heathwaite and Arnside Knott, to Arnside where there are shops, places to eat, public toilets and the next Railway Station.