Enjoy Lancashire’s beautiful coastline from the wonderful surroundings of some top tea rooms, cafes and restaurants. Emma Mayoh reports
Hazelmere Café and Bakery, Grange-over-Sands This food emporium, ran by Dorothy Stubley, is dedicated to the delights of cream cakes, brilliant brews and home baked bread. This Grange main stay, which first opened in 1897, boasts custard slices as big as your hand as well as a choice of 30 different cakes and more than 40 varieties of tea. The emphasis is on locally sourced, seasonal food with everything made on the premises to local and original Hazelmere recipes. You can enjoy traditional waitress service in the relaxed atmosphere of the light filled café or sit outside on the terrace during the summer months. The afternoon tea is a good choice in this venue, too, as it was once voted Top Tea Place of the Year and has received the Award of Excellence from the prestigious Tea Guild. Hazelmere Café and Bakery, Yewbarrow Terrace, Grange-Over-Sands, LA11 6ED, 015395 32972.
Posh Sardine, Arnside Take in the spectacular view of the Kent Estuary while enjoying this quirky tea room whose name is taken from an anagram of Arnside shop. Feast on a fabulous array of cakes – the perfect reward after a local walk – or choose something from the recently expanded menu. On a nice day, after looking at the gifts, homewares and antiques also stocked here, you can enjoy a cup of tea sat outside as well as light lunches, soups a plouhman’s platter or a Mrs Dowson’s ice cream. It’s run by friendly couple, Stephen and Jane Caldwell. Stephen is a former PE teacher and international athlete and Jane a chartered surveyor. The pair, oriignally from Bolton, always wanted a business together and set up in March 2011 Posh Sardine, 24 The Promenade, Arnside, LA5 0HA, 01524 762575.
Archers Café, Bolton-le-Sands This family run café, in a converted lambing shed on Red Bank Farm and Camp Site is understandably a popular choice. It is a building full of character as well as stealing the best views over Morecambe Bay towards the Lakeland hills – the perfect spot on a hot day. It is as much a hit with locals as it is to the many visitors to this area. The menu is packed with local produce the farm’s own salt marsh lamb and Morecambe Bay potted shrimps as well as every tea room essential, a vast choice of delicious cakes. Archers Café, Red Bank Farm and Camp Site, Bolton le Sands, LA5 8JR, 01524 823196.
Aspect Bar and Bistro, Morecambe Aspect Bar and Bistro, owned by Paul Bury, is an award-winning cocktail bar and bistro on Morecambe’s central promenade. There are spectacular views across the bay to the Lakeland Fells. Don’t expect your average seaside food here. There are delicious tapas dishes on offer and the venue champions Lancashire produce. It is also home to the Seaside Chef of the Year competition. You can make the most of those views from Aspect 320, the new terrace and champagne and gin bar at Aspect. Aspect Bar and Bistro, Ground Floor, Lothersdale Hotel, 320 - 323 Marine Road, Morecambe, LA4 5AA, 01524 416404
The Rotunda Bar, Midland Hotel, Morecambe There are arguably few better places to enjoy afternoon tea than from the Rotunda Bar in this beautifully renovated Art Deco hotel on Morecambe seafront. Here there are vast, far-reaching views of Morecambe Bay. Lunch and dinner is served here or you can enjoy the spectacular vista with a drink. It is also a very popular spot for morning coffee or its traditional afternoon tea. The Midland, Marine Road West, Morecambe, Lancashire, LA4 4BU, 08458 501240.
The Wolfhouse Kitchen, Silverdale This modern and quirky place is in beautiful Silverdale where views of Morecambe Bay are difficult to beat. After a walk between this lovely place from Arnside, via Arnside Knott, this is the ideal place to take solace. The menu has a great choice of lunch and brunch ideas including ciabattas, bagels and buckwheat pancakes as well as sourdough pizzas. Well worth a visit. The Wolfhouse Kitchen, Lindeth Road, LA5 0TX, Silverdale, 01524 702024.
The Crosby Tea Rooms, Crosby This traditional English tea room is within walking distance of Crosby beach, where you can take a look at Antony Gormley’s spectacular statues that are dotted around this stretch of sand. Inside the tea room you’ll find home cooked food, home made cakes and a great choice of quality loose leaf tea. Even your prized pooches get the red carpet treatment here with a specially brewed dog iced tea with dog cupcakes soon to be added to the menu. There are also live jazz performances every month. The Crosby Tea Rooms, College Road, Crosby, Liverpool, L23 3AT, 0151 345 1212
The Blackbird Tea and Coffee House, Ansdell It was once a ladies gym but now this beautiful and quirky tea room, run by a mother and daughter duo, is full of a choice of tempting treats that would have you running for the nearest exercise bike. Choose from sandwiches and paninis as well as sumptuous salads and delicious breakfasts. All of the food is tasty but there is no denying it is famous for its homemade cakes. Everything from carrot cake to coffee and walnut and everything is between is made locally. There’s also a great choice of loose leaf tea as well as locally produced coffee. The Blackbird Tea and Coffee House, Woodlands Road, Ansdell, Lytham, FY8 1DA, 01253 283710
Terrific coastal teashops
Shore Cafe With open views across Morecambe Bay towards the Lake District, Shore Café at Hest Bank is the perfect place to relax after a walk along the beach. Enjoy a freshly made cake with a pot of tea and watch the world go by. The Shore, Hest Bank, Morecambe Tel: 01524 823363
The Lantern O’er Lune Café Sat at the bottom of Tithebarn Hill at Glasson Dock for almost 50 years, The Lantern O’er Lune Café is a popular choice for walkers and cyclists. As well as classic bistro meals such as lasagne and fish and chips, you can indulge in homemade cakes and pastries. Tithebarn Hill, Glasson Dock, Lancaster, LA2 0BY Tel: 01524 752323
Alice’s Tea Rooms Themed around the classic Lewis Carroll fantasy book, this tea room in Lytham is really a wonderland. Enjoy a Mad Hatter’s afternoon tea with colourful cakes or try something savoury with a freshly made panini or sandwich. 25 St Albans Road, Lytham St Annes, FY8 1TG Tel: 01253 932871
Have we missed out your favourite coastal cafe? Leave a comment below or send us a tweet at @lancashirelife
