Sunderland Point and Sambo's Grave from Overton
Lancashire
Sunderland Point is a tiny settlement on the tip of the peninsula between the Lune estuary and Morecambe Bay, and the only road to it from Overton is a causeway that disappears under the tide twice a day. A dog can stretch its legs on the flat causeway and shore, though livestock graze the farmland on the return leg. In the early 18th century it was an out-port for Lancaster, where ships from the West Indies and America unloaded cotton and sugar before Lancaster built its own quay, and the village was part of the city's slave trade. Just off the shore path is Sambo's Grave, the burial place of an enslaved African boy who was put ashore here in 1736 and died days later. This 8km circuit crosses the causeway from Overton, passes the village, rounds the point to the saltmarsh at Potts' Corner and returns over farmland with several stiles. It is flat throughout.
This is a dog friendly walk that has to be planned around the tide. Check tide times before you set off: the causeway floods to around four feet deep at high water. The marsh edges give room for a dog with good recall, but keep dogs off the mudflats, which are soft and cut by tidal channels, and keep them close near the wading bird flocks at Potts' Corner. The return crosses grazing fields with stiles, so lead up there. There is no shade. Park in the free car park opposite The Globe in Overton.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 8.0 km (5.0 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 2 hr 10 min
- Walk Type
- Coastal, Historic, River
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- No facilities on route; The Globe pub in Overton by the car park.
- Parking
- Free car park opposite The Globe at the end of Overton village, before the causeway.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Sunderland Point and Sambo's Grave from Overton, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Cross Keys Inn Cottages - One Dorchester Drive
Sleeps 5 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £423 / 7 nights
Meadow Cottage At Swarbrick Hall Farm
Sleeps 10 · 1 dog · Enclosed garden
from £1,917 / 7 nights
Booking links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you. Prices are a guide only and change with dates and availability.
All dog friendly stays in LancashireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Sunderland Point and Sambo's Grave from Overton dog friendly?
This walk scores 7 out of 10 for dog friendliness and is a decent option for dogs who enjoy open, flat terrain. The causeway and shore give plenty of room to stretch legs, though the return leg crosses grazing fields and the whole route needs to be planned around the tide, which adds a layer of logistics not everyone will want to deal with.
Can dogs be off lead at Sunderland Point and Sambo's Grave from Overton?
Dogs with good recall can enjoy some freedom along the marsh edges near the shore, but there are several places where leads are essential. Keep dogs on the lead on the return route across grazing fields with stiles, close to the wading bird flocks at Potts' Corner, and well away from the mudflats, which are soft and laced with tidal channels.
What should I know before visiting Sunderland Point and Sambo's Grave from Overton with my dog?
The single most important thing to do before you set off is check the tide times — the causeway floods to around four feet deep at high water, so your timing really matters on this walk. There is no shade anywhere on the 8km circuit, so it's best avoided on hot days, and there are no facilities on the route itself, though The Globe pub in Overton is right next to the free car park at the start.
Visitor Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience.
What’s Nearby?
Beach2.4 mi awayHeysham Beach (Half Moon Bay)
Lancashire
A quiet beach below the historic Heysham headland with year-round access and ancient rock-cut graves above the bay.
Walk3.4 mi awayGalgate and the Lancaster Canal Walk
Lancashire
A flat, dog friendly ramble along the Lancaster Canal towpath from Galgate, easy underfoot and perfect for a relaxed hour or two with the dog.
Beach3.9 mi awayMorecambe South (Stone Jetty Area)
Lancashire
The southern seafront at Morecambe near the Stone Jetty with Lakeland fell views and year-round access, best enjoyed at low tide.
Walk4.1 mi awayWilliamson Park and the Ashton Memorial
Lancashire
No livestock means a dog can roam Fenham Carr's woodland paths freely on the way up to Lancaster's Ashton Memorial, with views over Morecambe Bay.
Beach4.7 mi awayMorecambe North (Happy Mount Area)
Lancashire
The quieter northern end of Morecambe's promenade near Happy Mount Park with more relaxed conditions for dogs.
Beach5.8 mi awayHest Bank Shore
Lancashire
A Morecambe Bay foreshore with year-round access, views across to the Lakeland fells and the famous Bay crossing route.