Out and About at Thurnham Hall

Within the immediate vicinity of Thurnham Hall

Black Knights Parachute Centre - For something completely different..............

Glasson Dock - Port/marina and the Smoke House

Lancaster Canal - just behind Thurnham Hall, across the field from the Woodland Carpark.

For details on Bike Hire to explore the local area, see the Getting About Pages

Further afield

Aquarium of the Lakes – at Lakeside, this is UK's leading freshwater aquarium. Just beside the aquarium is the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Steam railway

Ambleside – Another market town that is very popular with the tourists. Plenty of shops including Hayes Garden Centre.

Arnside - There are many lovely wooded walks around Arnside Knott, up to the "Pepper-Pot" at Silverdale or around the coast with its cliff top walks and sea views.

Between Ambleside and Windermere the Low Wood Water Sports and activity Centre with boat hire, kayaking, waterskiing, sailing, bungy trampolines and climbing walls.

Barrow In Furness – (Continue past Ulverston) This is where the Lakes meet the sea. A Victorian town with numerous facilities for shopping and other leisure activities.

Blackpool for all the obvious stuff. The Sandcastle Waterworld in Blackpool (right opposite the pleasure beach) offers a great day out, particularly out of season when the weather leaves a little to be desired. It houses the longest water rollercoaster in the world plus many other water slides and fun stuff for all ages. Spotlessly clean and helpful, friendly staff too!

Bowness - The A592 from Newby Bridge is quite narrow and windy in places – watch out for large vehicles approaching. This is the main tourist centre. Plenty of choice for eateries, pubs, clubs and souvenir shops. Situated on the edge of Lake Windermere – the biggest lake in the Country at 10.75 miles long. The 10-mile an hour speed limit came into force in 2005 but you can still ski - wake boarding is fast becoming very popular and great at low speeds. Traditional water skiing is great for children at 10 mph!

Brockhole Lake District National Park Centre - The place to visit if you've never been to the Lakes before. Its exhibition centre, its setting in a magnificent old house in beautiful gardens on the lakeside, the large grounds [great for picnics] and the range of local books etc are all good reasons for starting a Lakes holiday there. For the younger visitor there is a fantastic adventure playground for children here - for kids of all ages.

Cleveleys - oft neglected companion town of Blackpool.

Coniston - Its best feature is The Old Man of Coniston, rising dramatically behind the houses when seen from the village centre. Coniston is a good centre for walkers and climbers. The Gondola - The best vessel on any of the lakes. A magnificent Victorian steamer superbly restored to show off its polished wood and brass finish as it glides quietly but gracefully along Coniston Water. Jetty at the end of Lake Road in Coniston.

Dalton In Furness - South Lakes Wildlife park - definitely one for the kids, this great park gives you the opportunity to get really close to the animals. There are daily events, which show off the skills of the animals there, especially at feeding time.

Furness Abbey - One of the best examples of mediaeval abbeys in England in a atmospheric setting between Dalton and Barrow. Superb light in late afternoon.

Fleetwood well worth taking a look at. It was the first planned town of Queen Victoria's era.

Garstang - nice market town.

Hawkshead - A pretty and historic village worth strolling around and discovering hidden alleyways. And, if you must, shop in the various shops that specialise in outdoor clothing. Wordsworth's old school and the lovely old church are worth seeing too. Between Coniston and Windermere [take the chain ferry from Bowness].

Keswick - The Cars is the Stars Motor Museum featuring the actual cars from television and film, such as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and the James Bond collection.

Kirkby Lonsdale - Must visit this old town. Just outside at Cowan Bridge is Hipping Hall. Excellent food taken in a magnificent dining room cooked by a former Young Chef of the Year.

Kirkham is an ancient market town and well worth a visit. The shops on the steep main street retain an old-World feel. The main market day is Thursday, when things get quite busy. In the centre of Kirkham is a cobbled square where you can see evidence of the old fish market. The parish church of St Michael is still in fine condition following a rebuild in 1822. With its 150 foot high steeple it is clearly visible, even though it is off the main thoroughfare. The Black Horse coaching inn off Hill street is worth finding. Kirkham Grammar School was founded in 1549. Visit The Roman fort at Kirkham

Lake District . Windermere, Ambleside and Coniston are less than an hour away. Visit Gummers How and Fell Foot Country Park at the bottom of Windermere. Visit Grizedale from Hawkshead. Drive along the east side of Coniston Water. Visit Brantwood House for a lunch.

Lancaster has a fine castle and decent shopping area. Visit J Atkinson & Co for an old fashioned Tea and Coffee shop on China Street just in front of the Castle.

Leighton Moss - This is the largest remaining reedbed in north-west England. A bird-watchers paradise.

Lytham St. Anne's for a nice relaxing sea-side experience.

Morecambe and Heysham for the sea-side.

Newby Bridge - Stott Park Bobbin Mill is one of the best-preserved genuine early 19th century working mills. 1-mile walk to the Lakeside steamer pier to catch the steamer to Bowness.

Poulton-le-Fylde - old market town with stocks in the square.

Preston - National Football Museum at Preston North End's ground at Deepdale. It is full of very interesting exhibits including the controversial crossbar from the 1966 World Cup Final and memorabilia from all aspects of football.

Silverdale - Village in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Ulverston – This market town is some 8 miles south of L.W.E. It is a good-sized market town, market days being Thursday & Saturday. The nearest large supermarket (Booths) is just on the outskirts and has reasonable opening hours.
Laurel & Hardy Museum – Located in Ulverston and devoted to the comedy duo as the name suggests. Stan Laurel was born in here is 1890.
The Lakes Glass Centre – Situated opposite Booths at Ulverston is Heron Glass and Cumbria Crystal where you can watch the glass being blown, moulded and baked into swans, mushrooms and ornate vases etc. The factory shop gives you the opportunity to purchase gifts.

Windermere – Continue up the hill from Bowness to reach the village of Windermere. Slightly less touristy than Bowness. The famous Lakeland Limited (cookware shop) -formally Lakeland Plastics Ltd is situated at the top, near to the railway station.

Windermere Lake Cruises – For an alternative way to reach Bowness. Drive to Haverthwaite and take the steam train to Lakeside, then one of the passenger steamers up to Bowness or even right up to the north of the lake to Ambleside. You can, of course, catch these steamers from Bowness Bay, and Ambleside too.

Further afield to the East there is the adjacent National Park – The Yorkshire Dales (This link takes you to page 2 of "Out and About") . Visit Sedbergh and Hawes. Much nearer is Kirkby Lonsdale.

Back in Lancashire is the little known Forest of Bowland (an area of outstanding beauty). Take a drive through the Trough of Bowland to Dunsop Bridge – the heart of Britain. Carry on down to Clitheroe and explore the Ribble Valley.