Morecambe Bay, whose very motto is Beauty Surrounds Health Abounds, is the perfect place for a ‘green’ visit and stay. So leave the car at home and enjoy our recommendations for great days out by foot, train, bus or bike!
A Car-Free Day In Morecambe
Leave the car at home and take advantage of the frequent train services from Lancaster which run straight into the heart of Morecambe. There are around 26 direct trains and the journey takes just 9-15 minutes.
Once there, Morecambe Promenade provides a scenic walk like no other with its famous big Bay views towards the Lakeland fells and fabulous sunsets. The easy beach access is ideal for picnics in the fresh air, a spot of paddling or perhaps even a dip in the Bay.
‘Wild’ swimming is becoming increasingly popular and Morecambe and Lancaster Lancashire Open Water Swimmers (M.A.L.L.O.W.S) organise regular sessions in the Bay.
The most iconic walk you can take while in Morecambe is across its beautiful Bay though you must only do so by booking with the Queen’s Official Guide to the Sands.
The Bay landscape has inspired many an artist and free to view art is everywhere in Morecambe from the colourful open air gallery in the West End to massive Morecambe Murals depicting some of the resort’s history and famous folk dotted around the town.
And there’s no Morecambrian more famous than the comedian who took his name from the town – Eric Morecambe – and whose statue is the ‘star’ of the TERN public art trail. Walk a little further along the Prom towards Hest Bank to spot the Venus and Cupid sculpture, not far from Happy Mount Park with all its outdoor attractions.
Should you enjoy learning more about an area while you stroll, regular guided walks take place in and around Morecambe and Heysham from April to September: Guided Walks by Peter Wade
And The Next Stop Is Heysham
If you’re heading to Heysham Village, there’s a regular bus service from bus stations in Lancaster (2X, 1 & 1A) and Morecambe (2X).
Discover more about the history of this pretty village once visited and painted by JMW Turner at Heysham Heritage Centre.
While in Heysham, enjoy its many eateries and pop into its zero waste and eco store, The Happy Turtle.
You can also follow in many a visitor’s footsteps to the 8th Century St Peter’s Church featuring the world famous Viking Hog Back Stone.
The ancient ruins of St Patrick’s Chapel with its rock hewn graves feature on a stretch of the coast owned by the National Trust which leads to Half Moon Bay and the striking Ship sculpture representing the area’s maritime heritage.
Heysham also boasts a Nature Reserve, an oasis for butterflies and birds, run by The Wildlife Trust.
Nature’s Way By Train
There’s plenty for nature lovers to see and do around Morecambe Bay which is the UK’s largest inter-tidal area and a haven for birdlife.
The RSPB’s Leighton Moss in the Silverdale and Arnside Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty which featured twice on the BBC’s Autumn Watch, can be accessed by train – and there’s even half price entry for non-members arriving by public transport or bicycle.
Leighton Moss has the North West’s largest reed bed and is home to spectacular wildlife including otters, red deer, bearded tits, marsh harriers and egrets. The Skytower is the place to be to watch the birdlife including fantastic starling murmurations in the winter.
Enjoy A Brief Encounter With Carnforth
Trainspotters and classic filmlovers also flock to the area to visit Carnforth Station Heritage Centre, the iconic location for scenes in Brief Encounter. You can still arrive at the station by train and take tea in the romantic Refreshment Room before discovering more about the area’s railway history in the free, awardwinning Heritage Centre.
Two-wheeled Travels Around The Bay
If you prefer to explore Morecambe Bay by bike, a cycleway leads from Lancaster into Morecambe where there’s plenty of flat routes to enjoy, including more than five miles of Promenade, as well as miles of bike-friendly routes beside Lancaster Canal which can be accessed at Hest Bank.
More serious cyclists can try the Bay Cycle Way, a stunning 80-mile route around the Bay and the 170-mile coast-to-coast Way of the Roses, eventually leading to Bridlington.
Food For Thought
And if you’re feeling peckish after exploring Morecambe and its Bay, the area offers plenty of friendly pubs, cafes and restaurants providing a wealth of local produce to enjoy, most famously, Morecambe Bay shrimps, a delicacy said to be favoured by the Queen.
Should your visit to the area inspire you to return and explore further, Morecambe Bay Partnership has a varied programme of year-round walks, talks, tours, workshops, training events, performances and special celebrations designed to help you make the most of its towns, villages, coastline and countryside.
