With a Victorian pier, beach huts and a splash park, it’s perfect for a day out during the Easter holidays
The huge beach at St Anne’s with the pier in the distance (Image: James Maloney/Lancs Live)
On sunny spring days it’s hard to resist the pull of the seaside and with the Easter holidays well underway, there’s no better place for a family day out.
While Greater Manchester doesn’t have a beach of its own, there’s no shortage of coastal destinations on our doorstep from Llandudno in North Wales to Formby Beach in Lancashire.
If a good old-fashioned seaside experience is what you’re after then there’s one place you need to head to – no, not Blackpool – but Lytham St Annes.
Actually encompassing two towns – Lytham and St Annes – this spot on the Lancashire coast couldn’t be more different to its famous neighbour.
You can hire out the iconic beach huts for the day (Image: James Maloney/Lancs Live)
Compared to the noisy arcades and adrenaline-fueled rollercoasters of Blackpool, Lytham St Annes offers a calmer experience, full of relaxed coastal charm with a Victorian pier, a vast sandy beach, and pastel-coloured beach huts.
If that wasn’t enough to tempt you, this seaside town is also home to one of the best fish and chip shops in the UK, as named by The Times.
The Haven is something of a hidden-gem, tucked away on a back street with a delightfully old-fashioned interior. The M.E.N.’s Parents Editor Emma Gill recently went there to try the fish and chips, describing it as “perfectly cooked, with crispy batter and soft, flaky cod.”
It’s not the only aspect of this town that’s received national recognition. Last year St Anne’s beach was named among the “the best beaches in England” and received a Seaside Award by the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy.
The Haven fish and chip shop was named one of the best in the UK (Image: James Maloney/Lancs Live)
The huge golden beach is perfect for a spring walk and building sandcastles, as well as being a lovely picnic spot on a sunny day. The tide can move fast, but when it’s out the beach is massive.
Stretching out over the beach is the town’s impressive 600ft Victorian Pier. It dates back to 1885 and features amusements, a cafe and ice cream kiosks. A walk to the end is rewarded with breathtaking views of the beach.
For the ultimate seaside experience you can hire one of the iconic beach huts for the day, which have everything you’d need for a comfortable day at the beach including mains electricity, a small kitchen area, chairs and a table. You can book one hut for the day for groups of up to six people from £135.
During warmer weather those with little kids can visit the Lytham St Anne’s Splash park, which is open seven days a week from April to September. It’s aimed at children aged three to 12 and offers a range of features including spray loops, water sprays, bucket drops, water domes and a small section for paddling. It costs £2 for a one-hour session.
Things to know
Dogs are banned from the beach between Good Friday and September 30, from the lifeboat slipway to the North Promenade car park slipway.
There are several parking options at Lytham St Annes, including at the beachside North Promenade (FY8 2NQ) and Fairhaven Road (FY8 1NW) which both start from £1.30 for one hour and up to £4.60 for over four hours.
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