Two separate towns at the southern end of the Fylde Coast, Lytham and St Annes in Lancashire are great places to visit for a day out or longer. An easy way to remember which is which? Lytham is the one with the windmill – St Annes the one with the pier!
We love all the Fylde Coast so much that we made individual websites about each town – including Lytham and St Annes.
Visit Lytham…
We’ve already told you that we love Lytham so much that we made a full website all about it! Why don’t you head off next to visitLytham.info – it’s part of the Visit Fylde Coast family. There you can find out…
- About the town of Lytham as it is today – explore the streets, parks and attractions and much, much more.
- Loads of interesting things from its past – about buildings, places and people who make Lytham Lancashire what it is!
- Things to do and see
- All about the many events that take place each year
- And much, much more!
…and Visit St Annes
As if all that wasn’t enough, you can get the same kind of information about the St Annes area from our visitStAnnes.info website. Also part of the Visit Fylde Coast family!
- About the town of St Annes as it is today – explore the streets, parks and attractions and much, much more.
- Loads of interesting things from its past – about buildings, places and people who make the town what it is!
- Things to do and see
- All about the many events that take place each year
- And much, much more!
Lytham and St Annes in Lancashire
Confusingly, you’ll often hear the area collectively called ‘Lytham St Annes’. And that’s a name also often used to describe St Annes – all the way to Lowther Gardens!
If you’ve never been, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Once the place where wealthy industrialists built their homes and summer houses, both towns are packed with beautiful period properties. With large mature trees lining the streets it’s pretty-picture-postcard perfect.
Look around Lytham and St Annes
Let’s start with where it is. Lancashire is a ceremonial county in North West England with Cumbria in the north, North and West Yorkshire in the east, Greater Manchester and Merseyside in the south, and the Irish Sea to the west. Lytham and St Annes are just a few miles to the south of Blackpool. In fact St Annes sand dunes meet Blackpool at Squires Gate Lane. Find these towns at the bottom side of the Fylde Coast – the peninsula of land created by the Rivers Wyre and Ribble. At the north end of the Fylde you can also visit Cleveleys and Fleetwood, plus the market town of Poulton. Here it is, at the pin on the map of the United Kingdom.
It’s a great place to visit and ideal for a day trip or holiday. It’s bang in the middle of the country with great access from the north, south and central areas of the UK. Lytham St Annes is very close to the motorway network, making it a popular day destination for people who live in the north-west of the UK. Lytham and St Annes are both on the must-do list of most holiday makers who stay in Blackpool.
Shopping and Things to Do
In Lytham Lancashire…
There’s a great town centre in Lytham, packed with independent name stores. It’s also very dog friendly! Wander the small boutiques, gift shops and homewares stores to find something special for yourself or a gift. When you’re in need of a rest, enjoy watching the world go by with coffee and cake at one of the many pavement cafes.
Clifton Square is a pedestrianised area that’s very agreeable throughout the year. Stop by and admire the seasonal installations from the Lytham In Bloom team. Enjoy the sunshine and an ice cream on one of the benches around the decorative mosaic floor. Or treat yourself to something a little stronger at one of the surrounding cafe bars!
Round your day off with a pleasant stroll along the Green, admiring the views and the Windmill. Lytham Green is positioned on the coast where the banks of the River Ribble meet the Irish Sea. It’s a huge estuary with captivating views across to the Southport area at the other side. You’ll also spot plenty of wildlife. migrating birds and of course the famous Fylde Coast sunsets.
In St Annes Lancashire…
St Annes, or Lytham St Annes as you might prefer, is a traditional Victorian seaside town, complete with Pier and beachside amusements. The town runs at right angles to the coast, reached in easy walking distance. It’s a great place to visit with something for all the family.
The wide, central high street – St Annes Road West – is flanked on both sides by gardens and impressive large buildings. These original buildings house a mixture of high street and independent names. There’s a small supermarket, clothes retailers, value chains and more. The smaller premises on side streets off are home to a wide range of independents, selling all kinds of things. Monthly there’s a Farmers Market along the town centre car parking area and throughout summer you can enjoy the music of live performance and busking.
With your town centre visit complete, head next to the seafront to enjoy all the family-friendly things to do. Along with the original Pier there’s a children’s paddling pool and a bandstand. Ornaments and statuary decorate the seafront gardens, complete with ponds, waterfall and ducks!
At the Island complex you’ll find the RNLI Lifeboat Station, the Island Cinema, amusements, cafe and carvery restaurant. Adjacent to it are children’s rides, a miniature train, pitch and putt and Splash! water play area. And without spending any money at all, a stroll along St Annes seafront is an enjoyable time out. Take in the views and see what’s happening as you stroll along the coastal footpath in one direction and back through the lovely gardens in the other.
…and in between!
Lytham and St Annes kind of merge into each other so you can understand how the names have become blended through time. But between the two distinct towns are a couple of other places worth mentioning.
At the seafront, you’ll love the Fairhaven area. As you leave Lytham Green the coastal footpath continues north – but not the highway.
This is… Church Scar
– with a recently rebuilt sea wall and coastal defence that’s formed a brilliant open public space. There’s wildflower planting along the adjacent grass bank – which is a fabulous home for wildlife.
As the road rejoins the seafront you reach… Granny’s Bay
…where the new stepped seawall continues at Lytham St Annes. This cove-shape is another popular place with walkers – it’s really accessible with plenty of parking nearby.
Explore Ansdell…
Head a little way inland from Granny’s Bay and you can this small shopping centre that’s well worth a look. Woodlands Road is another straight street with plenty of small independent shops, cafes and bars.
Back to the seafront and Fairhaven Lake.
Continue northwards in the direction of St Annes, the next place you come is the enormous Lake which has all kinds of amenities – it’s a great place for al the family to visit. There’s an RSPB visitor centre/shop, cafe, drinks kiosks, adventure golf, children’s playgrounds, and much more. It’s also somewhere that holds a wide variety of events throughout the year – from bug exploring to boat racing!
Pictures from Lytham Lancashire
Postcard from St Annes Lancashire
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