7 Best Beaches In Lancashire To Visit
If you’re visiting the north west of England, don’t miss out on the best beaches in Lancashire to visit all year round. While Blackpool might be the most famous beach in the area, there’s a lot more to see here.
The seaside resorts around Morecambe Bay have piers and promenades, vast beaches, high tides and spectacular sunsets. Here are seven of Lancashire’s best beaches on the Irish Sea coast.
Blackpool
Discover why this is one of the UK’s most famous seaside towns
Blackpool is one of the best-known seaside resorts in the UK for a reason. Explore the three piers and seven miles of sandy beaches, potter along the promenade and climb the 150-metre-high Blackpool Tower.
As well as the beach, there’s no shortage of things to do in Blackpool. The Pleasure Beach has thrilling rollercoasters and water rides, as well as lots for smaller children to enjoy, and Central Pier and South Pier have funfairs with plenty of rides as well as amusement arcades.
In the summer, take one of the double-decker trams along the coast; or come in the winter to see the world-famous Blackpool Illuminations.
Pitch up at the best campsites in Lancashire
Lytham St Annes
A traditional seaside resort
Don’t fancy the bright lights of Blackpool? Just five miles north, Lytham St Annes is a much quieter area to spend the long summer days. You can still get an ice cream and go on a donkey ride here, but the main attractions are the wide expanse of golden sand and the shallow water that’s just made for paddling.
Fill your day out a little more by hiring one of the award-winning traditional beach huts which have all mod-cons on hand, wandering along the remains of the Victorian pier or poking around in the independent shops in town.
See the Ultimate North West Region Camping Guide for the best places to stay in the region
Cleveleys
Follow an artwork trail along the promenade
A vast expanse of sand on Cleveleys’ beach and stunning views across the Irish Sea are just part of what makes this seaside town an attractive destination.
What sets Cleveleys apart is the Mythic Coast Artwork trail, a series of sculptures depicting the myths and legends of the Wyre coast. The trail is based on the children's book but is just as interesting for adults. Walk between the trail’s five sculptures and then head down on the beach to build sandcastles and fly a kite in the often-breezy weather.
Fleetwood
Tasty fish and chips and a renovated seafront
Taking the tram from Blackpool? Stay on until the end of the line and you’ll come to Fleetwood. Here’s where you can grab some award-winning fish and chips, take a walk along the promenade and see the art deco Marine Hall which has music, dance and theatre performances.
Sit on the sandy beach, backed by sand dunes in places, and then wander into town and go to the Fleetwood Market which has more than 200 stalls. The seafront has recently been renovated, so now is a good time to check out this up-and-coming resort.
Want to get some exercise? Read our picks for the best walks in Lancashire
Heysham
Bring the dog and explore the rock pools
Looking for a dog-friendly beach? Half Moon Bay at Heysham welcomes dogs all year round. Linger on the sand and mudflats and poke in rockpools at low tide, and then walk on the grassy hills behind the beach when the tide comes in.
You can take the ferry to the Isle of Man from here if you want to get away from the British mainland.
Discover campsites near Heysham
Morecambe
Wander along an award-winning promenade
Come to Morecambe to stroll along the award-winning promenade to see the art installations, let kids play with the puzzles, feast on ice cream or fish and chips, and admire the views of Morecambe Bay across the sand. The sunsets over the bay are stunning, so Morecambe is a good place to spend an afternoon and evening.
Be careful here – the sand and shingle beach is good for sandcastles and kite flying but you’ll need to be aware of the quicksand and strong tides.
Formby Beach
A National Trust-managed beach
The final beach on the list is a bit of a cheat because Formby is actually in Merseyside, not Lancashire. But it’s such a beautiful beach and it’s pretty close so it has to be included. Stand on the towering dunes and look out across the Irish Sea or spend hours on the sand, more and more of which is revealed as the tide goes out.
Take a walk in the forest or cycle along the marked paths, ride a horse on the beach or bring your dog who’ll be welcome everywhere. The area is managed by the National Trust and it’s possible to spot rare wildlife including red squirrels in the dunes and woodlands.
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Interested in more than just beaches in Lancashire? Take a look at our top things to do in Lancashire to get some ideas.