I had been researching Snowdrop Walks in Lancashire and found two. Both were at historic piles and not to far from the sea .Lytham Hall near St Annes and Hornby Castle , a short drive from Morecambe. I managed to persuade Wil that we could incorporate snowdrops and seaside into a good day out for ourselves and our Labrador Hugo. Off we set on a dreary grey day in Clitheroe, heading for Hornby Castle near Lancaster . We actually ended up blessed with some sunshine. 🙂
Hornby Castle in the Lune Valley overlooks the village of Hornby and the river Wenning. Parts of the building date back to the 13th century and the impressive tower that dominates it’s shape is 16th century. The castle is privately owned and the gardens are only opened to the public a few days a year
It was lovely to see all the many varieties of snowdrops in bloom. They carpeted the woodland, grew in thickets by the river and adorned the lovely walled garden. Hugo’s favourite part was exploring the riverside walk.
I wish I had taken more snowdrop pictures for you all. They really were stunning! Entry to the Snowdrop weekend was £4 per person and included a talk about the castle in the drawing room ( which we managed to miss! ) and you could buy plants, hot drinks and cake in the walled garden. A pottery exhibition was also in the grounds. If you wish to visit Hornby castle yourself, the next opening weekend is 19-20 May, Bluebell season. 🙂
The village of Hornby itself is quite pleasant and Hornby Post Office & Tea Rooms are a very good stop off point for a spot of lunch. The picture above is quite deceptive as the place was absolutely rammed, due I think to the Snowdrop Weekend and a second hand book sale in the village. The old fountain in the village depicts a cat with a rat in its mouth, said to represent the former owner of the castle, Pudsey Dawson, who brought in cats to clear the castle of a huge rat population in the 19th century. Yikes!
In the afternoon we headed to the coast and went for a blustery walk on the beach in Morecambe. Luckily at this time of year you can depend on pup friendly beaches, even if it is somewhat freezing! Morecambe has appeared in my blog quite a few times so apologies for any repetitive photos. Its a very photogenic place though, if a bit worn and weather beaten.
The bracing winds encouraged us to head for the Midland Hotel that looks over the bay and the long stone jetty, decorated ( as much of the town is) with seabird sculptures and poems.
The Midland is a Grade II listed Art Deco design hotel , which was built in 1933 by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway. Like many grand seaside hotels it fell into disrepair and decline. In 2008 it was re-opened to the public, all restored and its elegant curving façade happily housing a lovely hostelry once again.
After enjoying our hot drinks we headed home through the Trough of Bowland, calling in at my sisters for another brew. Can’t get enough of brews in this weather!
Have you been on any snowdrop walks this year? Or bracing beach walks for that matter! 🙂
sunshine and celandines 
Every year I say I’ll go to Lytham Hall to see the snowdrops, I’ve not managed it yet! We headed away from the sunny coast to the not quite so sunny Clitheroe yesterday, still a beautiful drive though.
Oh really,my neck of the woods. Hope it stayed fine. What did you get up to?
We had a look around the interiors shops, and treated ourselves to a couple of doorstops from Dawsons – the glamour!
Dawsons is always worth a nosy in. 🙂
I bet we’ve walked past each other on our numerous similar treks! We should synchronise a meet up?
We probably have. 🙂 Next time we head to the Lancs coast I will let you know…
What a lovely day out! How many miles did you clock up? Lovely photos. I have seen snowdops at the side of roads. I love taking Riley on beach walks 🙂 xx
Hi Christine. 6 miles. So not to bad. It was a good day out. Beach walks are the best! X
I’ve never been to Hornby Castle so that’s definitely one for the future, hopefully on a warmer sunnier day. At least you got some sunshine at Morecambe even if it was cold and windy 🙂
Yes was pretty lucky really. :)Hornby Castle has an opening weekend in May and one in September so get yourself gone. X
I doubt i can make the September one as I’ll probably be away but I’ve made a note of the one in May – if there are any rhododendrons in the gardens they should be looking good round about then.
Yes I think there are. Azaleas too. X
Can’t beat a trip to the seaside, however local. The snowdrops are magnificent.
Yes the beach in Winter blows away all the cobwebs. : )
It often does in summer too 🙂
Every year I say I’ll go visit Snowdrop Valley here on Exmoor but I haven’t.
Your photos are beautiful ❤
There may still be time. X
Thanks very much.
We were talking tea recently, about all of the different types, and I figured that you was just the person to ask! What are your favourites?
Andy you will be dissapointed in me! I only ever go for fruit teas as I don’t really like most teas. I also enjoy a peppermint tea or a lemon and ginger tea. But english breakfast, earl grey etc Yuck!
All those tea rooms you’ve visited! I’d have put money on you being a tea belly. I feel like you’ve failed me 😀
I know. I go for the cake!
😂I know who to come to then when my wife falls off the healthy eating wagon!
wow – amazing snowdrops and some beautiful beach shots!
Thank you! It was a lovely day out. 🙂
I haven’t yet, but after reading this, am going to get myself to the coast this weekend. Thank you.
Ooh lovely. Where are you near? Do share the photos. 🙂
Oh, another one to add to my long list of places to visit in UK. It looks lovely & I’ve never seen snowdrops flowering like that, as we only seem to grow snowflakes over here. Had a bracing walk on Saturday afternoon above the sea at Torquay after a qulting class, whilst away for the weekend in caravan & a quick visit to Ballarat & also 2 N.T. properties in Geelong, Hopefully get a post done at some stage soon.
Have a good week & take care. BTW, it looks dog friendly there.
Look forward to your post Susan.:)
Maybe you will see snowdrops at one of the NT properties that you visit.
Sounds like you are having a busy and lovely visit. 🙂
My grandad lived in a residential home at the bottom of the driveway to Hornby Castle so whilst I’ve seen the castle and the snowdrops many times I’ve never actually been inside to hear one of the talks on their official open weekends. It’s only about 20 minutes from our house so we really should try and get to the May one!
It was my first time there and I really liked the area. I especially lived the tea room in Hornby which is also a post office and gift shop. The snowdrops were beautiful. X
What a great place to visit, the snowdrops have done well this year, will have to look for a walk.
Amanda x
They have been stunning this year. Hope you get to go on one before the season finishes. X
What a great day out! I’d have enjoyed that very much 🙂 I’ve not seen many snowdrops this year as we haven’t been getting out. I was up your way last weekend though and had a walk on that cold, dreary afternoon, near Slaidburn. The first walk we’ve done since August! It was good to get out.