Trace a coastline through the waves of time

The north west coast is laced with stories of the sea, from rum smuggling and eighth century rock-cut tombs to Viking raiders and Victorian traders, uncover a legacy second to none.

Fancy a step back in time? Look no further than Lancashire's dynamic coastline to see the tales of the past as you explore in the present.  Starting at Lytham you’ll find the iconic Lytham windmill overlooking the Ribble Estuary. The windmill has sat on the site since 1805 and is now a museum telling a story from across the centuries.  

Iconic Blackpool, had its place in the history of the industrial revolution, built in the 18th century to offer a place of respite for workers enjoying Wakes Week holidays.  Kids of all ages continue to enjoy things people marvelled at in the past, from wooden rollercoasters at Pleasure Beach Resort to the town's three piers, built in 1863, 1868 and 1983, plus The Blackpool Tower which has sat proudly over the promenade since 1894.  Trace its heritage at Blackpool Heritage Tram Workshop, the Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours, due to return later in 2026, or drop in to Showtown Museum, dedicated to the resort's entertainment history.  

The tramlines in Blackpool run all the way up the coast to the port town of Fleetwood.  Fleetwood Museum  celebrates the trams at the Fleetwood Festival of Transport, known locally as Tram Sunday. In Fleetwood you can also board the Knott End Ferry, a service which dates back to the 1890s, once a key route for work and leisure for the people in both towns.  

Fleetwood is one of the few port towns to have three lighthouses, Lower Lighthouse and Pharos can still be seen. Wyre Light, partially destroyed in 1948 and then storms in 2017 and 2020, mean it’s almost impossible to spot from the shore, even at low tide.  Each year the local RNLI run a four mile "Wreak Trek" out to the lighthouse ruin, though it’s only open to around 1600 people and tickets sell fast!  

Once over the River Lune, the history doesn’t stop. Heysham, just south of Morecambe, offers ferries to Ireland and the Isle of Man plus bags of history. Half Moon Bay houses the ruins of St Patricks Chapel, built in the 8th or 9th century. Built dramatically on a cliffside, check out the ruins and beside them a series of rock cut tombs, thought to date back to the 8th century, but which now features the Best of Black Sabbath album cover! 

The north west coast’s heritage is no less impressive in Cumbria, stashed with Roman history. Senhouse Roman Museum, beside the Roman fort at Maryport, boasts a Roman collection internationally renowned.  It’s on the west end of Hadrian’s Wall, with views of the Solway Firth and includes Roman altars, sculptures and everyday objects reflecting Roman life. 

Head to Whitehaven’s historic Georgian harbour and drop into the Beacon Museum and arts hub. It brings to life stories of the area including its industrial and maritime heritage with local characters, interactive displays and fun artefacts. Hear of tales of the Romans, Russian Samovars, Viking raiders and Victorian traders, its top floor rewards with stunning Whitehaven and Solway coast views. In addition to impressive touring exhibitions, its gift shop stocks excellent locally sourced gifts. 

Still in Whitehaven, transport yourself back in time to a Caribbean rainforest and discover The Rum Story. This is an honest journey through the dark history of trading, when slaves worked Antiguan sugar plantations. Encounter Blackbeard and piracy on the high seas, smuggling and Nelson’s navy.  See dubious punch houses, infamous gangsters and the Jazz Age. The glass-roofed courtyard café is the place to find the 1785 Jefferson’s rum but also plenty of enticing home-made produce. 

Interested in ships? The Dock Museum tells the transformation of Barrow-in-Furness from small farming village to bustling industrial ship-building town. Come for submarines, airships, warships and sleek liners but also Viking treasure, Victorian life and the port’s role in WW2. Entry’s free, open Wednesday to Sunday. 

Kent’s proximity to the Continent has rewarded it with a string of mighty coastal defences, discover splendid castles and forts, the beach for the first donkey rides and first sea bathing hospital.

Think the Isle of Thanet is simply fairground rides, ice-cream parlours and retro kitsch? Back in 597AD St Augustine landed at Ebbsfleet, near Ramsgate, bringing Christianity with him and changing Britain’s history forever. Visit St Augustine’s Cross that marks the spot he arrived and where he met King Ethelbert, head also to his shrine at St Augustine and Pugin’s Visitor Centre, Ramsgate. 

And when it comes to harbours, Royal connections don’t get much more impressive – Ramsgate boasts the only Royal harbour in the country thanks to King George IV who was so taken with the town’s hospitality when he arrived with his Royal Squadron heading for Hanover, he awarded it Royal status. 

Meanwhile in Broadstairs, a young Victoria, daughter of the widowed Duchess of Kent, stayed at Pierremont Hall for three months in 1827 and visited many parts of the Isle before becoming Queen in 1837. While back in 1683, what was St Bartholomew’s Gate was renamed Kingsgate Bay under the orders of King Charles II. 

Margate also boasts a series of seaside heritage firsts. Its Bathing Pavilion (Sun Deck) on Margate Main Sands is the first of its kind anywhere; The Royal Sea Bathing Hospital which treated those seeking a cure for TB in 1791 by exposing patients to sea air and seawater was another first and finally, this iconic resort was the first to offer beach donkey rides in the early 1800s.  

Nothing screams coast more than a lighthouse and Thanet has another first. North Foreland Lighthouse Broadstairs was the last manned lighthouse in the country, switching to being automated in 1998. It also inspired Wilkie Collins’ acclaimed novel The Woman in White. 

Searching for something different this half term? Bricks at the Museum at RAF Manston History Museum is a Lego-themed exhibition offering a Lego figure hunt with prizes, visit 14-22 February, just £1.50 entry. 

Still on the Kent coast, White Cliffs Country bursts with symbolic landmarks – time travel back to three majestic castles and as many forts, chronicling history across thousands of years. 

Towering over the cliffs and built by Henry II, medieval Dover Castle makes an excellent half term day out. Explore WW2 history through the Secret Wartime Tunnels where Winston Churchill’s Operation Dynamo was masterminded, kids can dive into the forgotten tale of the 1216-17 siege in a brand, new interactive exhibition and let everyone let off steam at the brand new, action packed, siege-themed play area. 

Deal Castle was built under the orders of Henry VIII, one of the finest Tudor artillery castles and a key part of the coastal defences along the south coast, while Walmer Castle and Gardens built in 1540 is a further impressive defence. Over the centuries it has been transformed from a fortress to a magnificent stately home, not least the late Queen’s mother. 

Its award-winning gardens feature a Queen Mother’s Garden as well as a play trail through the woods, wildflower meadows and kitchen garden. Visit in half term and you’ll be in time for a display of the National Collection of snowdrops. 

And take your pick of forts! Richborough Roman Fort offers some of the finest Roman ruins still standing in Britain, climb the ramparts to the top. Fort Burgoyne nestles beside Dover Castle and was built to protect it, with its ditch and wing batteries, its impressive engineering makes it well worth a visit.  Or head to the Western Heights a series of mighty fortifications perched above Dover which includes Drop Redoubt, one of two forts linked by a series of moats and don’t miss the Grand Shaft, built during the Napoleonic wars, dropping 140ft through the cliffs. 

Essex’ 350-mile coastline is a seamless blend of Victorian resorts like Southend with historic ports like Harwich.  

Eleven Martello Towers were originally constructed along a 13-mile stretch of its coast; the circular, defensive forts were built in the 19th century primarily to defend against French invasion in the Napoleonic wars.  

The Martello Tower at Jaywick is now a central hub for visitors with regular arts and heritage exhibitions and events, it’s worth a trip just for inspirational views and setting by the beach. You’ll find a history of the tower on the ground floor and arts on the first floor. 

Essex boasts three piers, Southend, Clacton and Walton Pier. While Clacton is the quintessential seaside pier with rides, bowling and arcades and Walton Pier houses a large undercover funfair and amusements, it is Southend Pier that puts the county on the map. 

This historical icon is the longest pleasure pier in the world, stretching 1.33 miles. If striding the entire length is too much, board the narrow-gauge railway that runs 1.25 miles.  Fish for mackerel, flounder or plaice, take a boat trip or lap up 200 years of history at Southend Pier Museum, then refuel from a choice of pier eateries, all with 360 degree sea views. 

However, if admiring stately homes and gardens floats your boat, consider the Yorkshire coast.  

Dramatically positioned on a clifftop overlooking Bridlington, Sewerby Hall and Gardens is set in 50 acres of 19th century parkland. Originally Georgian in architecture, the Hall was adapted over the decades in the 1800s with a major restoration taking place in 2013 creating a grand Edwardian country house, you’ll find notable pieces from the V&A Museum plus other collections, there’s even a zoo. 

For charm and character, visit Burton Agnes Hall, Driffield, East Yorkshire.  This Norman Manor House was built in 1173 but has altered little throughout history and remains a ‘lived in’ home of the same family. Don’t miss the walled garden, jungle garden, yew maze and giant games and there’s an excellent adventure playground and fantastic arboretum. 

For another spectacular garden, head to Kirkleatham Walled Garden, part of the Kirkleatham Estate on the outskirts of Redcar. Stroll around the science garden, cool off with a splash in the water play area and relax in this mid-17th century estate, sprawling across 79 hectares. The Walled Garden is home to a Glasshouse where a range of horticultural and craft workshops take place. 

North of the North York Moors National Park and inland from Saltburn-by-the-Sea, Gisborough Priory is dominated by the skeleton of the 14th century church’s east end, an outstanding example of Gothic architecture. This is one of the first Augustinian priories to be built in England; Gisborough was founded by the descendants of none other than King of Scotland, Robert the Bruce.