THE area around Overton and Sunderland Point is full of small boats and there is lots of evidence to show the importance of the port.

In 1801 there is register of 76 ships, each of more than 160 tons, using Sunderland.

They were sometimes moored four and five deep across the Lune estuary.

They carried rum, sugar, tobacco, mahogany and, sadly, slaves.

The footpath from the hamlet (which has toilets but no food) leads to Samboo's (the original spelling) grave.

This is reached via a footpath and is marked by a finger post.

This poor slave was buried in unconsecrated ground but the view from his last resting place is magnificent.

Local residents and visitors decorate the grave with flowers and pebbles.

Some children have provided toys and the place is one of my favourite spots. Samboo died in 1735.

From the grave I always follow the coastal path which climbs gently upwards to an old colonial style house with a balcony.

It is in a fine state of repair and a reminder of America's Deep South or a West Indian plantation residence.

Then comes the Cotton Tree area, which was once dominated by a tree said to have developed from a seed brought with the cotton crop.

On January 1, 1998 the 250-year-old tree was blown down in a gale. Scientists examined the remnants and discovered that the tree was actually a female black poplar, which is a very rare native of Britain.

I returned to the causeway after enjoying a long session of bird and boat watching as well as identifying some of the rare coastal flowers which thrive around the point.

Then it was back to the Globe at Overton. This became the haunt of sailors working the West Indies route.

Many years later, around the turn of the century, the Globe was the central feature of the Overton pleasure gardens, a picture of which can be seen in the bar.

Lune salmon dominated the menu then and is still available when in season today.

From the Globe I worked off the excess calories by visiting the parish church of St Helen, which is one of the most interesting in Lancashire.

The doorway is Anglo-Norman and dates to around 1050 but some of the walls have been proved to be Saxon.

The views out over the Lune estuary are fantastic and on the opposite bank is Glasson Dock and away to the right is the octagonal Chapter House of Cockersand Abbey.

This is all that remains of a once proud abbey which was demolished on the orders of Henry VIII in 1538.

This whole area of Lancashire is worth taking all day to explore and is ideally done during the long daylight hours of midsummer.

To reach Overton and Sunderland Point from Lancaster take the A683 signed for Heysham and Morecambe. After 2 miles follow the signs for Overton. There is parking opposite the Globe Hotel. This dates to the early 17th century and was popular with sailors when Sunderland Point was one of the most important ports on the west coast.

One mile of causeway leads around the sands to Sunderland and great care is needed when driving across. Twice each day the route is covered by the tide. You should have a set of timetables, read the signs and also talk to locals. The circular footpath around the old port is a real joy.