A seaside resort these days, at the mouth of the river Kent. Designated as an area of outstanding natural beauty, it enjoys one of the loveliest sites on the north-west coast.
The estuary itself is a bird watchers paradise and has been described by Peter Scott as the second most beautiful estuary in the British Isles. For example, on low ground not far away which was once farmland is now an inundated area of open fresh water and large reed beds, Leighton Moss, a nature reserve where ornithologists may always find much of interest at any time of the year.
Arnside is a village of steep streets, many of them culs-de-sac, with narrow inter-connecting passages for pedestrians. Until the 19th century, it was part of the village of Beetham.
The oldest building here is Arnside Tower (a ruined pele) and testifies to the need for defence against the Scots. In the 17th century, to refresh weary travellers (and no doubt the occasional smuggler) there were several inns here, though now only one remains. It is the Fighting Cocks Hotel...which incidentally still has the cockpit in its cellars.
The church was built only a century ago, but round about are traces of six or seven towers, places of refuge and defence in the days of the Scottish invasion. One is Hazelslack Tower enshrined in trees, a lonely place a mile away. Roughly built about 500 years ago, it has walls three feet thick and traces of great fireplaces and a winding stair to a magnificent view from the top, where trees are growing in the crumbling stone.
Saltcoates is the villages oldest house,and was the centre of a thriving salt industry. Other houses from the 17th and 18th century still survive.
It wasn't until the 19th century that Arnside became known as a seaside resort. Pleasure boats would sail from Morecambe and Fleetwood with passengers coming ashore to enjoy their famous shrimp teas, or even to take rides by wagonnette up to the Knott. More importantly however was the arrival of the railway in 1857, together with the opening of the viaduct, which made Arnside far more accessible. Today, the viaduct is one of the great tourist attractions, as in these days of nearly universal diesel or electric traction, this is one of the few lines over which British Rail allow steam trains to run. Nearby Steamtown Museum, at Carnforth, once provided most of the historic locomotives of yesteryear to haul the specials and the well known Cumbrian Coast Express. The viaduct is one of the most popular venues for the hordes of railway photographers who invade Arnside to capture on film a favourite or rare steam train.
Behind the village rises the Knott (owned by the National Trust) a rounded hill with woodland walks...from the top can be seen the magnificent panorama of the Lakeland hills, and the Northern Pennines.
Arnside = The side (of the knott) where Eagles live.
