When you arrive at your holiday home, you want to drop your bags and start enjoying your break straight away. Nobody wants to waste precious holiday time searching online for local advice or trying to guess which attractions are actually worth visiting. Guests at Old Hall Caravan Park often ask us for honest recommendations, so we’ve put together this guide to some of the best things to do in Carnforth and the surrounding area.
Whether you are looking for peaceful woodland walks, family adventures, wildlife experiences, historic attractions or welcoming pubs, everything is within easy reach of our quiet park in Capernwray. Many popular attractions are just a short drive away, making it easy to enjoy a full day out without spending hours in the car. To help you plan your days without hassle, we have compiled approximate driving times for all the top local spots.
| Attraction | Category | Travel Time (Car) | Key Highlight |
| Borwick Canal Towpath | Walks & Outdoor | 2 minutes | Peaceful canal-side walking, duck feeding and wildlife spotting |
| Capernwray Diving Centre | Outdoor Adventure | 3 minutes | Clear water swimming and open water diving |
| Greenlands Farm Village | Family Days Out | 5 minutes | Petting farm, soft play area, and crazy golf |
| Eagles Head Pub | Food & Drink | 5 minutes | Country pub with great Sunday roasts |
| Carnforth Station Platform | Heritage & History | 6 minutes | Historic Brief Encounter filming location |
| RSPB Leighton Moss | Nature & Wildlife | 7 minutes | Wetland boardwalks and bird hides |
| Leighton Hall | Heritage & History | 8 minutes | Stately home, historic gardens, and maze |
| The Junction Cafe | Food & Drink | 8 minutes | Fresh breakfasts and cakes in Carnforth town centre |
| Warton Crag | Walks & Outdoor | 10 minutes | Limestone hill with views over Morecambe Bay |
| Carnforth Bookshop | Heritage & History | 10 minutes | Three floors of rare and second hand books |
| Silverdale Beach | Beaches & Coast | 12 minutes | Quiet coast with views across Morecambe Bay |
| Morecambe Promenade | Beaches & Coast | 15 minutes | Traditional seaside walks along the bay |
Walking is one of the highlights of spending time in this part of Lancashire. You do not need to drive for hours into the national parks to find great views and fresh air, because some of the finest trails start practically on our doorstep.
For guests looking for things to do outdoors, there are plenty of options nearby, from gentle canal-side strolls to more challenging countryside walks.
Warton Crag is located just 10 minutes from Old Hall by car. This impressive limestone hill dominates the local skyline and provides sweeping views across Morecambe Bay towards the Lake District fells on clear days. The path up can be steep and rocky in places, so proper walking boots are highly recommended.
If you prefer a flat, gentle route without steep climbs, the Lancaster Canal towpath at Borwick is only 2 minutes down the lane from our park entrance. It is completely free of vehicles, making it ideal for pushchairs,less strenuous walks, or a relaxed morning walk with your dog whilst watching narrowboats glide past.
For those who enjoy water sports, Capernwray Diving Centre sits just 3 minutes away. This flooded quarry offers clear water for open water swimming and scuba diving, alongside a popular waterside cafe.
Carnforth sits alongside protected wetlands and rich habitats that attract wildlife enthusiasts from all over the country. You can spend a quiet morning watching rare species or enjoying nature with the whole family.
RSPB Leighton Moss is located 7 minutes away by car and features the largest reedbed in North West England. The reserve is built with accessibility in mind, offering flat boardwalks and ground level viewing hides where toddlers and grandparents can walk comfortably together. You can look out for breeding bitterns, marsh harriers, and otters.
The tall viewing tower gives more energetic visitors a fantastic panoramic view over the entire reserve, and the organic cafe onsite is ideal for lunch.
For a quicker nature fix closer to the park, the Borwick canal towpath provides a peaceful spot to feed the ducks and enjoy the quiet surroundings of the local countryside.
If you enjoy history, there are plenty of fascinating places to explore around Carnforth. Our region is rich in local history, spanning famous film locations, historic estates, traditional villages and independent businesses.
Carnforth Railway Station is located 6 minutes from the park and is world famous as the filming location for the classic movie Brief Encounter. While the station museum displays are currently closed, the historic platform remains fully accessible. You can soak in the nostalgic atmosphere and enjoy a light lunch or afternoon tea at the Brief Encounter Bistro and Bar located directly on the platform.
Leighton Hall is situated 8 minutes away and offers an intriguing look into 800 years of family history. The lived in historic house features guided tours that feel personal and welcoming. Outside, visitors can explore woodland trails, a caterpillar maze, and beautiful gardens and grounds.
Book lovers should make time for Carnforth Bookshop in the town centre, just 10 minutes away. This family run business opened in 1977 and spans three floors, holding a huge collection of second-hand books alongside local walking guides and maps.
Keeping children entertained during a holiday is easy when there are plenty of family-friendly attractions only a few minutes down the road.
Greenlands Farm Village is 5 minutes from Old Hall and caters brilliantly to mixed age groups. Younger children will love meeting the farm animals and playing in the indoor soft play barn. Older children can try the open air crazy golf course or explore the artisan shops with parents. The onsite cafe serves food and refreshments, while the Longlands Inn pub is located just a short walk down the lane for a proper sit down lunch.
When the weather turns rainy, Carnforth Swimming Pool on Kellet Road provides family fun swim sessions in a clean, modern indoor facility just 8 minutes from the park.
After a day outdoors, having good local places to eat and drink close by makes all the difference to your stay.
The Eagles Head in Over Kellet is a traditional country pub just 5 minutes from Old Hall. It is dog friendly, with staff routinely welcoming pets with treats and water bowls. Their Sunday roasts are highly recommended, with main courses averaging 10 to 20 pounds.
In Carnforth town centre, 8 minutes away, The Junction Cafe offers full English breakfasts, paninis, and homemade cakes in a relaxed space that welcomes dogs inside. For a cozy evening by an open log fire, The Malt Shovel in nearby Nether Kellet serves massive portions of comforting pub classics prepared with locally sourced ingredients.
One of the biggest advantages of staying near Carnforth is being within easy reach of Morecambe Bay and the Lancashire coast. The coastline offers dramatic tides, quiet sand stretches, and fresh sea breeze just a short drive from your pitch or holiday home.
Silverdale Beach sits 12 minutes away, offering a rugged coastline with lovely views across the bay towards Grange over Sands. It is a fantastic location for a peaceful afternoon walk or a quiet sunset picnic away from commercial seaside crowds.
Morecambe Bay Promenade is a 15 minute drive from the park and offers miles of flat paving for easy walking. You can stroll past classic coastal architecture, visit local cafes, and take in the wide-open views across the bay. It’s a great option for a relaxed family day out or an evening stroll by the sea.
Old Hall Caravan Park sits within 70 acres of private woodland in Capernwray. Our peaceful location gives you the very best of both worlds, offering quiet nature on site alongside rapid access to Carnforth, the Lancashire coast, and the southern Lake District.
Whether you are looking to purchase one of our holiday homes in Lancashire for regular weekend escapes, or securing a pitch on our seasonal caravan site in Lancashire, Old Hall offers a serene base you will love returning to time after time.
Ready to make Old Hall your retreat in Lancashire? Contact our team today to discuss holiday home ownership or seasonal touring pitches.
What are the best free things to do in Carnforth?
Walking up Warton Crag, exploring the Borwick canal towpath, and visiting Silverdale Beach are completely free and offer some of the best scenic landscapes in the area.
Are there good wet weather options near Old Hall?
Yes. Greenlands PlayBarn soft play area, Carnforth Swimming Pool, Carnforth Bookshop, and the Brief Encounter Bistro on the station platform offer great indoor entertainment during rainy days.
How far is the Lake District from Old Hall Caravan Park?
You can reach southern Lake District towns such as Kirkby Lonsdale and Kendal in around 20 to 30 minutes by car, making day trips incredibly straightforward.
Is there wildlife to see near the caravan park?
RSPB Leighton Moss is only 7 minutes away by car, providing world class bird hides and boardwalk trails where you can spot deer, otters, and rare marsh birds.