Nestled on the Lancashire coast between Morecambe and Carnforth is the sleepy village of Hest Bank. Set slightly away from the shoreline, it’s a place where pastoral canal walks meet salty sea air.
In the heart of the village old and new buildings sit harmoniously side by side, with the tranquil Lancaster Canal flowing southwards between them. The western edge of the village meets the sand flats of Morecambe Bay, with panoramic views across the water.
In the distance you can see as far as the Furness Peninsula and the Lake District fells, while it's also an excellent spot for watching the sunset when the sky is transformed with orange and red hues. At just over an hour’s drive from Greater Manchester, the village is the perfect place for a day trip this spring, LancsLive reports.
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Due to its location Hest Bank has historically been a stopping point for travellers. Centuries ago monks at Furness Abbey would visit the village when they crossed the bay and later in the 18th and 19th the village thrived off the coaching trade.
In fact the village’s pub, The Hest Bank, occupies a former coaching inn where weary travellers could spend the night. In the early 19th century the inn even constructed a lantern room to guide coaches, while its stable could hold up to 16 horses and four drivers.
Although visitors to the pub today are less likely to arrive by horse and carriage, they’re still treated to a warm welcome and excellent hospitality. The Hest Bank serves up tasty pub classics such as hand-made steak and ale pie, Hunter’s chicken and beer-battered fish and chips, as well as seasonal dishes.
It’s well worth a visit on a sunny day when you can relax with a refreshing pint in the pub’s charming beer garden. But The Hest Bank isn’t the only establishment with links to the village’s travelling past.
Hest Bank used to have a small railway station on the main London to Glasgow line, but in 1965 there was a rail accident where a sleeper train came off the rails and collided with the station buildings. Although no one was seriously injured, the station was subsequently closed and the structures have since disappeared.
A railway line still runs through the village and, overlooking the level crossing, is the aptly named The Crossing Micropub. Step inside this tiny venue and you’ll find a huge range of local IPAs and beers, as well as train memorabilia.
Hest Bank is a great starting - or end - point for a variety of walks. You can follow the canal towpath south to the town of Lancaster which is around five miles away.
But a must-do in the area is a guided walk across Morecambe Bay. For centuries visitors have crossed the bay with a knowledgeable guide, so you can trace their footsteps across the constantly changing flats and channels.
If you are setting off, or returning from, a cross-bay walk, be sure to stop off at The Shore Café for a brew and a bacon butty. It’s a proper old-fashioned café and only takes cash, but it has incredible views across the bay.
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