Sambo's Grave

Sambo's Grave is a memorial on unconsecrated ground near the shoreline of Morecambe Bay, marked by a stone plaque and surrounded by a low wall. The site sits in an isolated landscape of salt marshes accessible only by a narrow path that floods regularly with the tide.

In the 1730s, a young servant from the West Indies arrived at Sunderland Point with a ship captain and died shortly after at a local inn. The grave was later established as a memorial to preserve the memory of his life and this early encounter in the region.

The grave represents a connection between Lancashire's maritime trade and the presence of West Indian people in 18th-century England. The site shows how this early community was remembered and honored by those living in the area.

The site is reachable only by a narrow path across salt marshes that floods during high tide, blocking access. Visitors should check tide times and arrive with enough time before high water to walk safely and return before the path becomes impassable.

Visitors have maintained a tradition over generations of leaving flowers and stones at the grave, a custom that continues to this day. In 2019, an artistic installation called Horizon Line Chamber was added, making the memorial even more memorable.

Place of birth: West Indies

GPS coordinates: 53.99631,-2.88264

Latest update: December 7, 2025 19:28