The recent sunshine is making me long for the seaside. I shall have to make do by collecting my pictures together of a lovely coastal walk in Lancashire. 😉
When I think of Heysham, I basically picture it as a Ferry port and the home of Heysham Power Station. I actually had no idea of how pretty the old part of the village is, and how full of history.
We parked up in the spacious village car park ( £1.40 for five hours) and passed a few pretty tea rooms and shops on our stroll towards the start of our walk, St Peter’s Church.
The Rock- Cut Graves that surround St Patrick’s Chapel are actually not unique. There are apparently similar graves in Hexham, Northumberland and in Ireland. The body shaped hollows were carved for the VIPs of the eleventh century, mostly kings and priests. I hope they had lids on!
We continued along the cliff footpath , heading towards the Ferry Port in the distance. It was quite a bracing day in May , so when we spotted the Half Moon Bay Cafe ,we warmed up with a hot drink.
After a welcome brew we made our way back to Heysham, following another criss- crossing path over the cliff tops, an area known locally as ‘The Barrows’.
Back in the village, I picked up a fantastic and quirky map of The Morecambe Bay and Heysham area from the Heritage Centre . The ‘Seldom Seen’ series of maps , ‘map the hidden assets of Morecambe bay’ and are full of interesting facts. I especially like the phrase ‘ Beyond This Place Lie Monsters’. 🙂
Vikings came to Heysham over 1000 years ago and today this is celebrated when the village holds it’s annual Viking Festival. This year’s event takes place 15th ~ 17TH jULY.
By all accounts I was very surprised by Heysham. Now I have my map , I’m sure I will be returning soon. 🙂
I love this walk. So dog friendly, especially tbe cafe where tbey cook sausages just for the dog!
Oh fab! We are definitely going to visit again. Great beach too. 🙂
Looks a lovely coastal walk. Particularly like the pictures of the ruined chapel. Thanks for sharing x
Its an interesting place. I was quite intrigued by the rock cut graves. The church And chapel have amazing views. X
How lovely. Hoping you go back for the Viking festival but don’t forget o look out for monsters.
Sea monsters I think. Well you never know. 🙂
I led a school trip here last summer, it’s such a pretty little bay and the kids loved making up their own stories as to how the stone cut graves came to be there!
Oh wow! Bizarrely I have since learned my mum came here on a school trip in the late 50s and she remembers playing on the beach and drinking nettle beer. I presume it must not have been alcoholic! X
Ooh that loosk like a really interesting place to visit! I love the quirky map and how cheap was that parking?!
Yes it makes a change to find somewhere lovely to visit with inexpensive parking. I love my map. It is one of five you can get of the whole morecambe bay area.x
I have never been there. I will add it to my list of places to visit.
Cool. Its not that far from Silverdale and Arnside.x