Roads from Flookburgh’s square lead to the shore. The village was once an important stopping place on the ancient crossing routes over the sands, which connected Lancaster with Furness. Many ships came to fish the mussel beds close to Sandgate but this ceased when the building of the railway caused silting in the estuary. Land south of the village was once all sand and very high tides were known to wash over the streets of the village. But now the sea is a mile away and the first half mile of the walk takes you along a straight road over the reclaimed land.

Park in Flookburgh’s large square, once the site of an old chapel and graveyard, grid ref 367758. To reach the village, leave the A590, in a southerly direction, for Grange-over-Sands or Haverthwaite, and then follow the signs for Flookburgh.

1 Leave the parking area by the south corner of the square to pass through a short stretch of road without a pavement. Then continue on the right side of the road, with much of Flookburgh’s industrial area beside you. When the pavement runs out, cross to walk on along the now hedged way, where you might spot bullfinches, to reach its end. Turn right onto the Old Embankment, part of the Cumbria Coastal Way.

2 Enjoy this wonderful raised grassy area, nearly a mile long, with wide views out over Low Marsh. As you go, look inland to Raven Winder farm with a trig point to its right on the 20m contour line, the highest point in all the reclaimed land. Descend slightly from the embankment to continue along a rough path where the tide has come over at sometime. Pick your way between the puddles, making full use of the downtrodden rushes used by other walkers, as you round Cowpren Point. After a short pleasant stretch the track deteriorates badly just before Canon Winder farm but if you look ahead you can find a dry way. Both Winders are said to be very old, Canon Winder once belonging to the cannons of Cartmel Priory.

3 Keep close to the wall of the farm. Peep through the large, sturdy gate to see the fine building and then go on along the improved way to wind round Lenibrick Point. Beyond, the track takes you on to Strand Bridge where the track is being repaired. Ignore the very muddy footpath moving inland, over the pastures towards Ravenstown and stroll on the wider much drier track as it begins to wind inland towards Sand Gate farm.

4 Immediately beyond the farm buildings a track, which soon becomes a delightful hedged lane, leads to Ravenstown, a crescent-shaped area of houses that you might have glimpsed earlier on your walk. The houses were built for staff of a naval aerodrome towards the end of the 1914-18 war. The site took the name from the farmstead Raven Winder and the roads are named after the wartime battles. You may wish to make a diversion to the village and then return to Sand Gate. Carry on up the road, a steepish hill, and then descend into Flookburgh, with its pleasing 17th century houses lining the way.

Information

Distance: 4.5 miles plus one mile if you divert to Ravenstown

Time: 2-3 hours

Terrain: Some of the Coastal Way is a delight to walk, but there are rough, wet patches.

Map: OS Explorer OL 7