HOTELS IN Lytham St Annes

Culture and history in Lytham St Annes

There’s more to this seaside town than donkey rides and sandcastles. Try these venues for a spot of Lytham culture.

• Lytham Windmill

Built around 1805 on Lytham Green, the iconic Lytham Windmill is home to a free museum. Exhibits are spread over five floors and explore the history of milling and the heritage of the Fylde area. Not bad for a site once considered an industrial eyesore and left derelict in the early 20^th century.

• Lowther Gardens

Lowther Gardens is not only the oldest park in the area but also home to the only theatre in the borough, the Lowther Pavilion. Completed in 1921, the building sits on grounds dedicated to Lady Eleanor Cecily Clifton (nee Lowther) all the way back in 1872. The park was finally made public in 1905.

• Lytham Hall

Quite possibly the finest Georgian house in Lancashire. A grade I listed building set in 80 acres of parkland which was once home to Benedictine monks. Today the home welcomes visitors all year round with guided group tours, a cosy café and the Old Dairy Antiques Showroom open Wednesday to Sunday.

Shopping in Lytham St Annes

Nowhere does independently-run and family-owned stores quite like in this neck of the Lancashire woods.

• Storytellers

At first glance, Storytellers looks like any other independent bookshop but there’s a lot more on offer here than meets the eye. The mother-daughter team behind the shop have earned the venue the title of Vintage Independent Bookshop of the Year 2013 and Independent Bookshop of the Year (North) in 2015.

• The Antiques & Reclamation Centre

Open Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 4pm, the Old Dairy Antiques Showroom at Lytham Hall is packed full of unusual vintage and reclaimed pieces. An eclectic collection of one-off items open to dealers and the public.

• Stringers

It’s not often that you hear the words family-run, independent and department store put together but that’s exactly what you get at Stringers. What began life as a drapery store back in 1852 has been run by three generations of the Clarke family since 1952, a whole 100 years later. The traditional team pride themselves on providing the best contemporary shopping experience possible.

Eating and drinking in Lytham St Annes

Take your pick from restaurants with a view, traditional chippies and welcoming pubs in the heart of town.

• Anatolia Sea View

St Annes’ only sea view restaurant serves Turkish dishes for all the family. There’s shish for the kids, mixed grills for the parents, all with picture perfect views of the glistening waters. A taste of the Mediterranean on the coast of the Irish Sea.

• The Deacon

Housed in the old Williams Deacon Bank, this modern British tavern is just as famous for its food as the drinks on offer. The extensive gin list, craft lagers and ales will help you wash down a locally-sourced gourmet meal served in a well-preserved building from the 1700s.

• Whelans

Based on Crafton Street in the middle of town, Whelans is a traditional fish n chip shop that’s been serving locals since 1937. It’s even been given Rick Stein’s seal of approval. But with fresh ingredients on the seaside restaurant’s doorstep, it’s little surprise the menu is such a winner.

Things to do in Lytham St Annes

Fill your staycation schedule with a range of activities on the Lancashire coast.

• Play a round of golf

There’s no shortage of golf courses in this part of the world, in fact there are four. The pick of the bunch has to the Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club, host to the Open Championship a staggering 11 times (translation: it’s very good).

• Catch a live music performance at Lytham Festival

Time your staycation for the summer and you could be dancing your days away on the Lancashire coast. The Lytham Festival attracts a long list of big names over the course of ten days so you’re guaranteed entertaining acts for all the family.

• Take a stroll on St Annes Beach

We know the Great British weather isn’t the most reliable but the beach at St Anne’s knows how to make the most of a grey day. There are kite flying events on windier days of the year and you can even book a charming beach hut filled with all the mod cons for a comfortable time on the coast.