The north west coast is one of England’s most diverse and beautiful

Soon to be home to the Eden Project (opening 2025), family-friendly Morecambe is perfect for strolling along the prom, taking in the dramatic scenery and cycling around the bay. 

It is also home to the Art Deco Midland Hotel, a favourite of Agatha Christie, why not indulge in an afternoon tea while enjoying the views across Morecambe Bay. Don’t miss the trail of art installations inspired by the local birdlife, known as the Tern Project. 

For sheer glitz and glamour, nothing beats a trip to Blackpool.  Much-loved by Strictly fans, this resort oozes fun, from its Illuminations to the iconic Tower, Pleasure Beach, and Winter Gardens. What’s more, this is the only resort in the country with three piers! 

St Annes, Cleveleys and Fleetwood offer quieter alternatives.  Just two miles from Blackpool, Lytham and St Anne’s, Fylde, are quaint resorts and a step back in time with pretty parks, manicured lawns and lovely beaches. St Anne’s is known for its award-winning beach huts, ensure you hire one for the day, and their unmissable international kite festival. Lytham is teeming with restaurants, boutique hotels, independent shops and high-quality events for the discerning visitor. 

With a history dating back to the Romans, a wonderful steam railway and a new Coastal Activity Centre due to open in 2023, this is the year to visit .

Known for its majestic Lakes, the Cumbrian coast is too often overlooked. Yet this is one of the most beautiful in England, running from Morecambe Bay to the Solway Firth.

You’ll find a number of fascinating seaside resorts with rich Victorian history, notably Seascale, St Bees, Allonby and Silloth, each offering great beaches and attractions. 

Thanks to its long, sandy beach and towering cliffs, St Bees is one of the most popular spots on this stretch and the only Heritage Coast between Scotland and Wales. Here is the official starting point of the Coast to Coast Walk, and part of the England Coast Path. 

Whitehaven lies four miles north and 2023 marks the opening of The Edge, Cumbria’s new Coastal Activity Centre. This cutting-edge venue will provide bespoke water sports, recreational, arts and activity facilities at Whitehaven Harbour, ‘the coastal gateway to the Lakes’, as well as a community and educational centre. 

This will be the only centre of its kind on the North West, its fantastic location is at the start of the C2C Cycle Route and will feature new accommodation (17 rooms), food and drinks offering, and viewing platform overlooking the coast. Don’t forget to visit the fascinating Beacon Museum on the harbour front with 4 floors of exhibits and a stunning viewing platform. 

Ravenglass is also not to be missed, the only coastal resort within the Lake District National Park and uniquely located in both of Cumbria’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites (Hadrian’s Wall and The Lake District National Park). An important base for the Romans dating back to the second century, this pretty town’s main street is paved with sea cobbles leading up from the beach. 

Here you’ll find the historic Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway, the steam train chugs through breath-taking countryside, hugging the coast and calling at Muncaster where you can visit mighty Muncaster Castle with its gardens, woodlands and Hawk and Owl Centre with stunning bird of prey flying displays daily.  

Cumbria’s coastline is also the location and inspiration for exciting  new public art commissions from Millom to Whitehaven – all part of the Deep Time project due to launch this summer. 

And remember, the Cumbrian Coast rail route is a perfect way to explore this often overlooked area of stunning coastline.