Lytham St Annes, located just five miles south of Blackpool, is a seaside town that often slips under the radar of holidaymakers. I visited the area to see what it was like
Blackpool stands as one of Britain’s most famous coastal destinations, renowned for its tower, illuminated seafront and Pleasure Beach theme park. The resort welcomes approximately 20 million visitors annually – but there’s a smaller community just five miles south of Blackpool which frequently escapes the attention of tourists.
Lytham St Annes, comprising the separate settlements of Lytham and St Annes, was originally a fishing and shrimping port. Today it boasts a Victorian pier and beautiful golden sands, providing a contrasting experience to Blackpool.
I travelled to Lytham St Annes on a Thursday afternoon in July to discover precisely how it differed from its celebrated neighbour.
I left my car on the South Promenade, near St Annes Pier, before taking a leisurely walk along the waterfront. What struck me immediately was the tranquil and serene atmosphere – a stark contrast to the bustling chaos of a tourism powerhouse like Blackpool, reports the Express.
“It’s a lot different here and it’s less frenetic,” Janet Ruanne told me as she sat on a bench with her husband Martin. “We love it here.
“We’ve got the beach so close and there’s many nice places to walk. We come to the promenade basically every day, it’s lovely.”
The pair hail from East Lancashire, but relocated to Lytham St Annes five years ago. They’re convinced they have coastline that could compete with any in the region, including Blackpool’s.
Janet, 67, proudly states: “I think we’ve got one of the best beaches on this whole coastline. The people here are so friendly too, which you don’t get everywhere else. It’s just a lovely place to come to.”
Her husband Martin, 72, added: “You’ll notice the beach here is really clean. They have a good group of volunteers who come and clean the beach regularly.”
From the South Promenade, I strolled towards and through the pier. Positioned directly opposite the main high street, it’s flanked by a bandstand, Victorian shelters and seafront gardens.
St Annes Pier, constructed in 1885 at a cost of £18,000, is an architectural marvel made from cast iron and wood. It was among the first public buildings in St Annes.
The structure underwent restoration in 2018 and now houses a variety of amusement games, making it an ideal spot for young families. The open-air end of the pier offers breathtaking coastal views across St Annes seafront and towards Blackpool.
Here, I encountered Jenny Shaw, who was visiting with her family from Chesterfield, Derbyshire. They make it a point to visit Lytham St Annes most summers.
“We normally come in the summer holidays,” said Jenny. “It’s flat which makes it easy to walk around and enjoy.
“The beach is lovely and there’s some nice parks. I think the town centre is underrated too – there’s plenty of places to eat and drink.”
While Blackpool can occasionally suffer from a poor reputation due to anti-social behaviour during peak season, Jenny insists this isn’t an issue in Lytham St Annes. “There’s no bad behaviour here,” she said.
“I think bits of Blackpool are quite grim, but you don’t get that in Lytham. Everyone is really friendly and lovely.”
The beach at Lytham St Annes boasts miles of golden sand and is dotted with iconic beach huts. It appears to me as a quintessentially British and timeless seaside spot, ideal for gentle strolls and family fun.
Enjoying a peaceful moment on the sand were Chris and Wendy Moden. The couple travelled to Lytham St Annes from Bolton and believe it’s an ideal destination for young families.
Chris, 70, explains: “We’ve got two grandchildren – aged six and four. We’d definitely bring them here, I think it’s perfect for a holiday.”
He mentions that the family also loves visiting Fairhaven Lake, situated between Lytham and St Annes. The saltwater lake provides numerous activities, including boat rides, nature trails, a playground and a spot for birdwatching.
He continues: “It’s a lot better than Blackpool. It’s a lot cleaner and less busy which I think people appreciate. Every time we come here we feel like we’ve had a good day out.”
Wendy added: “Everyone is so friendly here. There’s never any trouble. We can come for a quiet walk along the beach and the views are beautiful.”
The seafront and pier sit handily near the main shopping district. St Annes Road West features numerous outlets and eateries, including major chain stores and local independent ventures.
Hazel, who preferred not to share her full name, has called the town home since age five. She’s taking a breather in the town centre following a shopping trip.
“I think I’ve had a great life here really,” she said. “We’re so lucky to live in a place like this.
“I always like going to sit down at the beach. We’re just very lucky really.”
In Hazel’s view, Lytham St Annes offers a much calmer atmosphere compared to its well-known neighbouring resort.
“Blackpool always get really busy and noisy. It was terrible last time I visited – it was far too much,” she said. “It’s a lot quieter here which I like. It’s cleaner too as we get less tourists.
“There’s also less anti-social behaviour here I think, although we get some. Just like everywhere, you’ve got some nicer and less nice bits.”
Those seeking a jam-packed coastal break with buzzing nightlife and attractions will find Blackpool continues to deliver.
However, visitors wanting a more tranquil and serene getaway might discover Lytham St Annes suits them better. The destination offers character and scenic splendour, alongside a gentler rhythm of life.
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