Lytham St Annes

LYTHAM ST.ANNES

The first thing you need to know about this arc of lovely northwest English coastline is that the Borough of Lytham St.Annes is actually four separate towns joined together by one very long road and a train line. Lytham and St.Annes are the largest and between them you’ll find Ansdell and Fairhaven which basically lie on either side of the railway.

Lytham moorings are situated on the outskirts of the town along the ‘Creek’ that leads into the Ribble Estuary. It’s ramshackle and has much character. It also has a long history of boat building. This is where they made the African Queen for the Humphrey Bogart / Audrey Hepburn movie of the same name. There is anchorage both there and on the seafront and the sailing is diverse, with the mighty Ribble heading inland via the incredibly vast Preston docklands and open waters that stretch to the Isle of Man and beyond. Be warned though these waters are not for the faint hearted. Take all the advice you can. And you’ll get plenty of that from the local cruising club, which sits next to the jetty on Lytham’s picturesque seafront.

Lytham has the longest green in the country (with its own windmill) that stretches for a mile and a half along the promenade. The green eventually gives way to a nature trail through sand hills and then to Fairhaven with its famous Granny’s Bay and leisure lake complex. Ansdell is just a few minutes walk from the lake and there you’ll find shops, food outlets and a pub. Carry on heading north and you’ll arrive at St.Annes with its magnificent three miles of clean sandy beach and wonderful sand hills. The town has some fantastic dining out, a pier and a leisure park on the promenade. Back in Lytham there is a more old-fashioned leisurely vibe with a bustling town centre full of cafes, pubs and restaurants.

With Blackpool only down the road and the City of Preston a twenty minute drive or train ride away a visit to Lytham St.Annes offers plenty of diversity. From woodland walks, to late night dancing, fine dining, superb fish and chips and some of the best seaside views imaginable. It is totally family friendly with accommodation to suit all budgets and facilities for just about anyone. And because of that families return to the resort generation after generation.

PS Lytham is also the home of Harbourguides.