St. Annes-on-Sea is a stylish seaside resort located just south of Blackpool on Lancashire’s Fylde Coast. Often confusingly referred to as Lytham St. Annes, these are actually two separate neighbouring towns, both equally delightful in their own way.
Getting there:
If arriving by car, it’s easiest to follow the M55 motorway into Blackpool and then take the scenic route along the promenade south to St. Annes, a distance of five miles. Visitors arriving by train should change onto the Blackpool South branch line at Preston and alight at St. Annes-on-Sea station, just off the Square and within a ten minute walk of the seafront.
Top things to see and do in St. Annes-on-Sea
St. Annes Pier
I suggest starting with a stroll through the town to the seafront. Facing the Square is St.Annes Pier which has been welcoming visitors since Victorian times. The pier was constructed in 1885 with its mock Tudor style front added 14 years later. Entrance to the pier is free of charge and stepping inside you will find amusement arcades, children’s rides, kiosks offering seaside goods and a variety of food options. To one side of the pier is an attractive cafe that’s popular with locals and visitors alike. Look out for its foot long chocolate eclairs, perfect for sharing with a pot of freshly brewed tea.
Take a stroll along the promenade
Enjoy a wander along the seafront looking out across the long sandy beach which goes back as far as the eye can see. With distant views across the Ribble estuary and the Irish Sea soak up the sun on a deckchair or rest awhile on one of the many promenade benches. Although only a few miles separate Blackpool from St. Annes, the town has a more refined air and feels a million miles away from the bright lights of its near neighbour.
Spend a day in a beach hut
be rented out for the day from as early as 10.00 a.m. until midnight. Each of the beach huts has been fitted out in a contemporary style with everything needed for a luxurious day on the beach. Popular for families, groups of friends or to celebrate a special occasion, it’s even possible to arrange for a delicious afternoon tea to be delivered to your door. Sounds blissful, doesn’t it!
Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI)
The RNLI does a marvellous job saving the lives of people out at sea and visitors to the town can pop into the lifeboat station to view the RNLI Shannon lifeboat Barbara Anne which has been based in St. Annes since 2018. Explore the small exhibition area up on the viewing terrace and then take time to look in the gift shop run by friendly volunteers. 2024 is special for the RNLI as it sees the life saving charity celebrate its 200th year.
Promenade Gardens
Stroll back towards the pier through the Promenade Gardens which run parallel to the sea and stretch from the Beach Terrace as far as the Pier. Resplendent with water features including fountains and a small waterfall the well tended flower beds and sculptures are a delight. There’s a children’s paddling pool to keep little ones amused whilst the slightly older generations can laze around the Victorian bandstand listening to live music.
Ashton Gardens
Located one road back from the seafront on Clifton Drive North lies the award winning Ashton Gardens, another tranquil spot to while away an hour or two. Boasting a sunken rose garden, narrow winding paths and small bridges, the gardens are a haven of tranquillity.
Towards the centre stands the Ashton Pavilion Cafe which has been painstakingly renovated to its former glory and the perfect lunch venue with both indoor and courtyard dining. The park also offers a children’s playground and bowling green.
Shopping in St. Annes
No visit can be complete without a spot of shopping and St. Annes Road West (often referred to as St. Annes Square) is where to begin. This wide thoroughfare is lined with shops and cafes from small independents to high street favourites. With cafe terraces spilling out onto the pavement, there’s a continental vibe and it’s a pleasant place to spend time and watch the world go by. Leading off from the square there’s an eclectic mix of shops to be found on nearby Wood Street and the surrounding area.
Fairhaven Marine Lake and Gardens
Just over a mile down the road from St. Annes lies Fairhaven, noted for its lakeside entertainment. Parking on the promenade and nearby streets is free and for those without a car, a frequent bus service operates between the two places but as it’s quite flat it’s also an easy walk. As you will see below, Fairhaven Lake is home to lots of fun activities.
Boating
Stretching for half a mile, the lake is a lovely place to enjoy spending some time out on the water. With rowing boats, canoes and motor boats not to mention a pair of oversized swan pedalos, there’s a water activity to suit everyone. Alongside boating Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUP) is also on offer with the sheltered waters of Fairhaven Lake being an ideal place to learn.
Adventure Golf
A more recent addition to the site is an 18 hole adventure golf course with each hole depicting local landmarks including St. Annes Pier, Singleton Fire Station and Lytham Windmill. Combination family tickets can be purchased enabling a family of four to enjoy a round of golf and one of the water sport activities for just £25.
The adventure golf course is great fun and just the right degree of difficulty finding your way around the course obstacles and then rewarding yourselves with a drink and a bar of chocolate from the kiosk after returning the clubs.
A heritage building is home to an attractive waterside cafe, and just beyond there is a popular bowling green from where equipment can be hired for a game of crown green bowls during the summer months when competitions are not taking place.
RSPB Ribble Discovery Centre
Located on the edge of the lake, the RSPB centre is the ideal starting point for exploring the River Ribble estuary. The centre lists recent bird sightings and has interactive displays about the migratory birds passing through the area. The Ribble is one of the main estuaries in the UK for birds with up to 300,000 birds utilising the estuary as either a winter home or a refuelling stop during their migrations between the Arctic and Africa. There is always plenty to see for birdwatchers especially in spring and autumn.
And there you have it, lots of lovely reasons to visit St. Annes-on-Sea.
