Arnside Inside&Out

This has always been a beautiful place to visit but today its allure is stronger than ever - even the red squirrels can’t resist.

- Martin Pilkington

OVER RECENT YEARS Arnside has evolved. Its fine setting on the Kent estuary and the quiet Edwardian charm remain unchanged, but the shops, accommodation and eateries have definitely gone up in the world. The strategy has worked, judging by the numbers enjoying its river frontage, many of them from further afield than was once the case.

Some, it seems, are discovering Arnside as an escape from the holiday hordes encountered in Lakeland. ‘We’re seeing more European visitors now,’ says newsagent Ian Bullough, ‘Twenty years ago that wasn’t the case, but with the overbusy nature of the Lakes we’re getting many more nationalities coming here.’

Lesley Hornsby, of the Promenade’s highend B&B No 43, adds: ‘This year we’ve had more visitors from places like Israel, Turkey, China and Saudi.’ She too feels Arnside is benefitting from overcrowding elsewhere. ‘One person arrived here thinking they were staying in Ambleside, then went there and said “Thank goodness I’m not!”’

Lesley’s business has been at the cutting edge of Arnside’s upmarket evolution. ‘I bought it 11 years ago,’ she says, ‘and my first guest was a Visit England inspector! We were awarded Five Star Silver that year, and the following one we got Five Star Gold.

There wasn’t much like this in the B&B side in Cumbria then, let alone Arnside.’ Nowadays the coffee shops, foodie pubs and retail therapy along the Promenade are cut from similar cloth.