Morecambe, Past to Present

Morecambe goes from strength to strength, offering visitors and holidaymakers an incomparable experience...

Morecambe Bay is a large bay in northwest England and the second largest in England, almost due east of the Isle of Man and just to the south of the Lake District National Park.

In 1889 the villages of Bare, Poulton-le-Sands and Torrisholme collectively became known as Morecambe, named after Morecambe Bay, though those areas of Morecambe are still known by their original names. The nearby village of Heysham kept its separate identity and is now a thriving port. Parts of all of them still have the early buildings at their centre.

Morecambe is primarily a seaside resort, famous for its sunsets over the Lakeland fells. Morecambe’s motto is “Beauty Surrounds, Health Abounds”. It has traditionally attracted visitors not only from Lancashire and Yorkshire, but from all over the UK and further afield, to experience its sandy beaches, wonderful promenade and incomparable views.

Between 1956 and 1989 Morecambe was the home of the Miss Great Britain beauty contest in the Super Swimming Stadium, which was the largest swimming stadium in Europe. Today, on the site of the stadium, visitors can still enjoy seaside fun, with golden sands specially imported from the Irish Sea.

 

The bay itself is the largest expanse of intertidal flats and sand in the United Kingdom, covering a total area of 310 km. There has been an official “Guide to the Sands” since the sixteenth century. The current incumbent, Cedric Robinson MBE, has been the Queen’s Guide for forty years. In the summer he still guides Cross Bay Walks, where hundreds of people follow his carefully mapped route across eight miles of sands. Many of these walks are conducted in aid of charity.

Morecambe Bay is one of the most important wildlife areas in Britain, renowned as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Morecambe is a centre for bird watchers and numerous species of wading and shore birds can be seen in the bay. The Tern Public Art Project, a series of sculptures and installations, enhances the extensive natural landscape.

Morecambe Bay has some of the most varied fishing in all of Britain and is perhaps most famous for Morecambe Bay Potted Shrimps, a famous local delicacy, which are 'By Appointment to Her Majesty The Queen'.

                

The Midland Hotel is an important Art Deco luxury hotel of International architectural significance, situated along the seafront; the second in the site, the original built by the Midland Railway to service the nearby harbour from which ferries went to The IOM, Belfast and Dublin. It still contains interior design and art pieces by artist Eric Gill. It has undergone a £7m restoration, headed by Manchester company Urban Splash. The company  restored the hotel to its former glory and opened it for business in June 2008. It is managed by English Lakes Hotels . The film “The Entertainer” and an episode of “Poirot” were filmed here.

One of Morecambe's most famous landmarks is a statue on the promenade, created by sculptor Graham Ibbeson and unveiled by The Queen, commemorating one of its most famous sons, Eric Morecambe, born here May 1926 as Eric Bartholemew.                         

The actress Thora Hird was also born in Morecambe, and as a child and adult performed on stage here at the Royalty Theatre.

One of Morecambe's landmark buildings is the partially renovated Victoria Pavilion, also popularly known as Morecambe Winter Gardens. This was once a venue for swimming baths, a grand theatre, restaurant and ballroom and even became a training camp at various times in its life.

 

Morecambe Football Club is in League 2, and recently built a new stadium - The Globe Arena, which is opens for events and functions as well as, of course, hosting some very exciting football games!

Morecambe's main central shopping area stretches from Central Drive Retail Park to the Arndale Shopping Centre. This area also incorporates two markets - The Festival Market and The Morecambe Sunday Market - and the Apollo Cinema complex. Morecambe is soon to welcome a new Travelodge in its main shopping area – which will complement the existing range of bed and breakfast, hotel and self catering accommodation on offer.

Morecambe railway station has a regular rail service from Lancaster, with some trains running directly from Leeds. Trains also run to Heysham, where they connect with the ferry service to the Isle of Man. There is another railway station at Bare Lane, serving the suburb of Bare. Services are operated by Northern Rail.

Bus services in the area are operated mainly by Stagecoach Lancaster. Other local services are operated by Battersby's Coaches. Direct services link the town with Lancaster and buses run direct to Kendal, (755) and Preston (40/41). Regular services up to every 15 minutes (numbers 3/3A/4) operate along the promenade to Heysham and to Lancaster University whilst services 2 and 2A operate up to every 10 minutes from Euston Road to both Heysham and Lancaster University. Services 6 and 6A operate via Westgate (where most caravan holiday parks are) to the ASDA supermarket and Salt Ayre Leisure Centre. Service 5 operates to Overton and Carnforth. Many services (2/2A/3/3A/4/6/6A) operate using Low Floor Easy Access Vehicles suitable for wheelchair users and prams/pushchairs, whilst other services use older buses.

Morecambe Visitor Information Centre was recently crowned Enjoy England Visitor Information Centre of the Year 2011 and is situated in the Old Station Buildings on the Central Promenade alongside The Platform, performance and entertainment venue.                

            

Morecambe Visitor Information Centre

Old Station Buildings

Marine Road Central

Morecambe

LA4 4DB

01524 582808

morecambevic@lancaster.gov.uk

 

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