Top 6 Lakes around Arnside

Within the Arnside and Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, you can explore several notable water bodies. Hawes Water, located in the Gait Barrows National Nature Reserve, is a small but deep natural freshwater lake known for its diverse birdlife and insects. Another excellent spot is Leighton Moss Nature Reserve, a reservoir managed by the RSPB, which is a haven for rare wildlife like bitterns and red deer. Additionally, High Newton Reservoir offers beautiful, elevated views over the Coniston Fells and Morecambe Bay, while High Arnside Tarn is a picturesque spot known for wild brown trout.

Yes, several spots are great for families. Sizergh Castle and Gardens features a mirror lake, extensive gardens, and parkland, offering varied exploration opportunities. The National Trust property also has a cafe and shop. Leighton Moss Nature Reserve is also very family-friendly, with observation hides, a visitor center, shop, and tea room, making it easy to spot wildlife.

For excellent wildlife spotting, head to Leighton Moss Nature Reserve. This RSPB-managed reservoir is renowned for its reed beds, where you can often see bitterns, red deer, and Greylag geese. Hawes Water in the Gait Barrows National Nature Reserve is another prime location, particularly noted for its diverse birdlife and insect populations.

The area around Arnside offers a variety of outdoor activities. You can find numerous hiking trails, such as the moderate 'Arnside Coast & Knott loop' or the 'Arnside Knott Circular Walk'. For running, routes like 'Grubbins Wood and Arnside Knott loop' are popular. Cycling enthusiasts can enjoy routes like 'Gravel Trails to Hawes Water' or 'Leighton Moss Nature Reserve – Arnside Jetty loop'. You can find more details on these activities and routes in the dedicated guides for hiking, running, and cycling around Arnside.

While many trails in the AONB involve varied terrain, the area around Leighton Moss Nature Reserve offers accessible paths and observation hides, making it suitable for a more leisurely experience. The reserve is generally flat and well-maintained. For other easy walks, consider exploring the flatter sections of the Arnside Promenade, which offers coastal views rather than direct lake access but is generally accessible.

The most prominent historical site near the lakes is Sizergh Castle and Gardens. This medieval fortified manor house, owned by the National Trust, boasts a rich history spanning 30 generations of the Strickland family. It features an impressive collection of objects, a wonderful garden, and a wider estate to explore.

While the smaller tarns and reservoirs within the Arnside and Silverdale AONB are generally not promoted for wild swimming, the larger lakes in the nearby Lake District National Park offer excellent opportunities. Windermere Lake, about a 30-minute drive, is England's longest natural lake with many access points for open water swimming. Coniston Water, less than an hour away, also provides an impressive setting for swimming with accessible pebbled shorelines.

The Arnside and Silverdale AONB, with its unique blend of limestone pavements, woodlands, meadows, and coastal scenery, is beautiful year-round. Spring and summer offer vibrant flora and active wildlife, making them ideal for nature observation and longer walks. Autumn brings stunning colors to the woodlands. Even winter can be charming for crisp walks, though some facilities might have reduced hours.

Many of the public footpaths and trails around Arnside and within the AONB are dog-friendly, provided dogs are kept under control, especially near livestock or wildlife. For example, the walks around Arnside Knott and the coastal paths are popular with dog walkers. Always check local signage, especially in nature reserves like Leighton Moss, where specific rules for dogs may apply to protect sensitive wildlife.

The area offers diverse and stunning views. From Estuary and Clifftop Views of Morecambe Bay, you'll get expansive vistas across the sands of Morecambe Bay, especially dramatic at low tide. High Newton Reservoir provides elevated panoramas over the Coniston Fells, the Cartmel Valley, and Morecambe Bay. Even smaller lakes like Hawes Water offer tranquil, natural scenery within wooded reserves.

Arnside itself has a train station on the Furness Line, connecting it to Lancaster and Grange-over-Sands. From Arnside, local bus services can provide access to some parts of the AONB, but direct public transport to every lake or tarn might be limited. Planning your route in advance and checking local bus schedules is recommended for specific destinations like Leighton Moss Nature Reserve, which is often reachable by public transport.