The £100m Eden Project is set to give Morecambe a huge boost – but even before building work begins, there’s lots to love about the resort. And our essential 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 guide will help you plan your visit
Morecambe once featured in a book about disappointing towns but the author has now changed his mind, and said if he were now invited to go on holiday there he would “jump at the chance”.
He’s not on his own: Morecambe is attracting ever more numbers of visitors, as well as a rise in families who choose to make their home here, leading to an increase in house prices. Most schools have a Good Ofsted rating and transport links are convenient, with a direct rail service to Leeds and Lancaster, a good bus network and the M6 only five miles away.
The five mile promenade and the stone jetty have been transformed in recent years: buildings have been renovated and there’s plenty of public art on display, including the Tern project which celebrates some of the local bird life.
The crown of all this is Morecambe Bay with its stunning views and breathtaking sunsets.
The £100 million Eden Project Morecambe is also lending a buzz to the town. The site, on the edge of the bay, was chosen because of its stunning natural landscape and it will aim to connect people with that landscape.
The venue, which will be housed within giant glass shell-shaped structures, is expected to open in late 2027 and will combine world class horticulture, art, entertainment and immersive experiences such as The Realm of the Moon – a dark space featuring a hyper-real rock pool, where accelerated tides and seasons show an ever-changing world.
The town is full of clubs and societies, from Morecambe Piano Group to Morecambe Cricket Club and plenty in between. There is also a packed events calendar. Baylight, on February 21 and 22, is a light trail and community parade which attracted 28,000 visitors last year. The Morecambe Comedy festival runs from March 7-9 and the Morecambe Vintage Bus Day is on May 18. The famous Vintage by the Sea – celebrating the culture and style of the last century – will take place on August 30-31.
Morecambe is also known for its walks, whether it’s a gentle stroll or a full day’s hike. The most famous walk is the Cross Bay Walk, which must be undertaken with a guide, as the sands can be treacherous. Check guideoversands.co.uk/ for dates. Cyclists are welcome in Morecambe too – it’s the home of the Bay Cycle Way. However you decide to explore Morecambe, fill your lungs with sea air and dive right in.
Pauline Taylor of Crochet Design taught 41 crafts in a local college so it might be reasonable to assume she had all bases covered.
‘Yes, I was confident of that until I was told I would also be teaching crochet – the one craft I wasn’t familiar with, which did seem unfortunate. Nonetheless, I had to knuckle down and, within five weeks, learn it,’ says Pauline who today is recognised as a world crochet expert, is a founder member of the Crochet Guild of America and was inducted into the American Crochet Hall of Fame.
‘That was an honour,’ she adds. ‘It’s given to those who have inspired others. I was flown to America which was exciting, to meet crocheting fans. One thing I learned was never to leave my hotel room without first applying lipstick, as every time I emerged someone wanted me to sign a book and then pose for a picture.’
Pauline has published many acclaimed books on crochet. Her latest, the beautifully produced The Art of Tunisian Crochet, explores how to achieve its ethereal look.
‘Crochet is on-trend and has lost its granny image,’ Pauline says. ‘There are heaps of magazines and books about it and the Beginners and International Diploma courses I offer are very popular. Items are quickly produced and the process is incredibly calming. Everyone appreciates handmade items and a crocheted garment is warm and elegant.’
Mrs Beeton advised those who wanted to make jugged hare to first catch their hare. It’s advice that Stephen Rose of Morecambe Bay Bee followed: he first caught his bees.
‘I’ve always been interested in bees,’ he says. ‘When I joined Lancaster Beekeepers, I formally trained with them. Shortly afterwards, my wife Claire and I were out walking when she spotted a swarm of bees. I raced home, donned my beekeeper’s suit, returning with a box. They were hanging off a bramble so I rescued them. I had caught my bees!’
Stephen and Claire now have five and a half colonies and Morecambe Bay Bee Honey has a UK wide fanbase.
‘The hives are situated between meadowland and the sea so the honey has a sweet meadow flavour, spiked with coastal freshness,’ says Claire.
‘Our dogs love muddy coastal walks, so we thought we would use these by-products to create a natural pet wash,’ says Claire who also began to make creams for animals. ‘Humans can use it too – although it’s probably not a good idea to share a shower with a mucky dog.’
From there, it wasn’t an enormous step to make beautifully decorated and delicately fragranced natural soaps and creams for people.
‘They’re officially approved and certified, they’re natural and, importantly, they are not tested on animals and we’re also producing a Valentine’s range.’
Matt Panesh is the founder of what is possibly the smallest theatre in the UK. Housed in an old barber’s shop, The West End Playhouse is part of his mission to make Morecambe a cultural hub.
‘I used to holiday in Morecambe as a child, so I have always felt affection for it,’ he says. ‘It’s a great place: a Victorian entertainment centre that once had over 30 theatres. The community is strong, there’s goodwill and I want to be part of the movement that brings it back into the spotlight again.’
Matt, who is an artist, a performer and a well-regarded poet, has a lot of experience in Fringe Arts, both here and in America and is confident Morecambe can shine.
‘Our theatre only seats 34 people but it is vibrant. We put on a variety of performances. It gives people a chance to taste life in the arts: we’re hoping to offer a GCSE in Drama. This summer, we had outdoor shows featuring our giant Punch and Judy, as well as outdoor performances of Romeo and Juliet,’ says Matt, who this February will be staging the pantomime Die Hard: The Musical featuring Mr Blobby!
Matt also organises autumnal events like the Film and TV Festival, which featured Johnny Vegas and the Poetry Festival, which last year saw Henry Normal, Ian McMillian and Lemn Sissay performing in the town.
‘It’s wonderful to see so many people offer support. We hope to produce a film around Easter, so if anyone wants to be involved, get in touch,’ says Matt. ‘Morecambe will be a great cultural hub. The snowball is rolling!’
Happy Mount Park
A delightful 1920s park. It contains a variety of gardens and concerts take place in the bandstand. It includes a miniature railway, a putting green, crazy golf and a café. Children can enjoy a natural play area, a splash park and trampolines. Events regularly take place, including an Easter extravaganza.
The Platform
A fabulous live entertainment venue: possibly the only one in the world housed in an Edwardian station! It offers a packed programme but events this spring include Women in Rock on February 25 and Looking for Me Friend: The Music of Victoria Wood on March 22.
Morecambe Winter Gardens
This fabulous Victorian building is undergoing a programme to restore it to its former glory. As a result, there is a limited events programme. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it. There will be open weekends from Easter, as well as the chance to book hour-long theatre tours.
Bird watching
Morecambe Bay is known for its vast array of birdlife and there are several places from which to observe it, including Hest Bank, which is famous for wading birds. The mudflats are a super restaurant for birds, containing delicacies like lugworms and cockles and species such as redshanks and oystercatchers flock to enjoy them.
READ MORE: 5 of the best places to eat in Morecambe in Lancashire
The Midland
Morecambe’s most iconic building, this art deco hotel overlooks the sea. Incorporating many original features, it has 44 luxurious bedrooms, some of which are dog friendly. The restaurant offers British cuisine, while the more relaxed Rotunda bar serves bar dishes.
The Morecambe Hotel
Housed in a restored Georgian coaching inn with large garden, it has seven rooms, including a suite. The Garden Room restaurant has a feature wall showing an historic map of the town, including the hotel, while the Tack Room and Snug are more informal alternatives.
The Royal, Heysham
Sited in a small fishing village, just two miles outside Morecambe. This is an AA four star 16th century inn with a selection of modern comfortable rooms. Dogs are welcome in some rooms. A range of meals can be taken in the Dining Room, including brunch, lunch and supper.
