Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty: Cumbria/Northwest England

Arnside/Silverdale

Limestone country on the Lancashire and Cumbria borders 75 sq km/29 sq miles

Limestone pavements, ancient woodlands, rich grasslands and coastal salt-marshes, designated in 1972. Range of walks leaflets from AONB office (see below).

Local authorities Cumbria, Lancashire

Promoted routes Cumbria Coastal Way, Lancashire Coastal Way, Limestone Link (Cumbria), Lunesdale Walk

Explorer map OL7

Public transport:

  • Rail. The Cumbrian coast line runs through the AONB between Carnforth and Arnside via Silverdale with regular services and connections to Lancaster, Preston, Manchester and Barrow. Four Rucksack and Rail walks connecting with train services are available (see below). For information about local buses contact Traveline.

Publications

  • Rucksack and Rail through the Arnside and Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Pack of four walk leaflets connecting to rail services. The Woodland Way (Arnside to Silverdale via Beetham Fell, Fairy Steps, Leighton Beck, Gait Barrows 11km/7 miles); The Heathland Way (Silverdale to Arnside via Elmslack, Middlebarrow Plain and Arnside Knot 7km/4.5 miles); The Saltings Way (Silverdale to Carnforth via Heald Brow, Quaker Stang and Crag Foot 9km/5.5 miles); The Mosses Way (Carnforth to Silverdale via Millhead, Warton, Summerhouse Hill, Leighton Moss 8km/5 miles).
    £1 from AONB Management Service (below). [12/04]

Contacts

Parks and countryside in Cumbria | Walking In Cumbria | Parks Index | Information Index