You could say the same about Lancaster, of course, but there are excuses: the university, business, transport links. Arnside, however, has none of these, being as it is on the banks of the River Kent and separated from the A6 by several miles of narrow, winding roads. Dave Willacy, chairman of the parish council and a lifetime Arnside resident, admits it's a difficult place to find but knows all about its appeal with 'outsiders' anyway.

"I think it is basically that it's out of the way and it's famous for its cross-bay walks," he says.

"I think we have got an above average percentage of retired people here compared with most places and it's because it's such a quiet place and most people here have come from industrial Lancashire or further afield.

"I always say if you came to Arnside, you didn't intend to get here. You are lost."

One such villager from industrial Lancashire is Preston-born Dorothy Mitchell, who has lived in Arnside for 25 years and is chairman and membership secretary of the village society. Speaking at her home in Far Close Drive, which offers stunning views across the river and towards Morecambe Bay, she is ideally placed to explain the appeal of the village, which is positioned just one mile into Cumbria.

"I have been coming here ever since I was a child," she says, "and my uncle already lived here and he asked me to come and live here too.
"It is an absolute jewel in the crown, it's unique, there's a beautiful view and it's got a village community. Whatever you do, there's something for you in Arnside."

However, the key to fitting in, says Dorothy, is getting involved, which is where being part of the village society comes in.
"You have got to put something in yourself. You cannot sit there and expect the village to come to you.

"I have been on the village society committee for 15 years and the chairman for three years.

"It is really a watchdog society to see that nothing is going on that nobody knows about and it is to warn them about developers who come out and develop the big fields. We are trying to protect the open spaces."

The society's 700 members have been successful in this role of protector, too, and in the past they have managed to prevent Arnside being classified an urban area by council chiefs and helped secure ownership of Dobshall Wood for the Woodland Trust.

Their work also overlaps with the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) office, based in Arnside railway station. The village shares its own AONB with its Lancashire neighbour Silverdale and the government-funded organisation, along with partners including the RSPB and the National Trust, ensure the beauty of the area is maintained for residents and visitors alike.

Ian Henderson, AONB manager for Arnside and Silverdale, said: "20 years ago the area was more run down but through initiatives over the last 20 or 30 years there's been a real change and as you walk round you will see more than six miles of dry stone walls that we have rebuilt."

However, the question is: do Arnside locals recognise and appreciate the hard work being done around the village by the AONB office and others?

"No doubt some people do and some don't," adds Mr Henderson. "Our job is to continue to make people understand and I would be a fool to think everybody understands the work we do."

But it's not all about natural beauty in the village and elsewhere Arnside is full of life. Its most famous pub, The Albion, run by Liverpudlian John Gallagher, attracts punters from miles around, as well as 'Mr Arnside' himself, Dave Willacy. The 135-year-old educational institute, meanwhile, houses activities from table tennis to meetings. Sue Gibson, who helps run the 350-member centre, is another who recognises the draw of Arnside.

"It's picturesque, it's quiet and good for children, and we do get a lot of people coming here," she says.

Quiet seems to be a frequent description of this popular village, perhaps owing to its secluded location. But there is plenty going on in Arnside and it continues to draw people in.