Morecambe Bay

Rory Calland

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Morecambe Bay

Morecambe Bay, Morecambe, LA5 8JR
Visit Lancashire, Morecambe Bay
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Morecambe Bay with its famous cockles is a significant natural landmark along the British west coast, weary travellers in times gone by would have crossed the Lancaster Sands and suddenly come into view of the Lake District. Nowadays great caution must be exercised here as the flats are notorious for quicksand and tides that move in at rapid speed.

Whether the tide is in or out the bay is a sight to behold, and it is in fact the most expansive tidal mudflat in the UK. Seeing the moored boats dotted across the sand at low tide is slightly haunting – it appears as though the ocean has been drained. Along the promenade you’re well catered for with fish and chip shops and places to pop in to for a drink, and like many English coastal towers it’s well stocked for arcades. Access is easy down to relax on the beautifully soft sand and take in those distant lakeland fells. Aiming for Morecambe’s 115 year old Grade II listed clocktower on the waterfront is a good idea if you’re looking for somewhere to park up – you can’t miss it. And that way, you’ll only be a stones throw from where the Eric Morecambe statue balances on one leg.

Near the clock tower is also where the M.A.L.L.O.W.S have been known to set off from. They’re an open-water swimming group founded by Jon Gibirdi in 2017 who now have over 2000 members spread across Lancashire. Swimming here with a party of other open-water veterans is a good idea, they usually follow a course parallel to the shore and pay close attention to the currents and tidal charts. They’re not averse to a bone-chilling wintery dip either! If you’re interested in taking a dip with M.A.L.L.O.W.S, get in touch with the group via Facebook.

What's on near Morecambe Bay

A large mechanical puppet controlled by multiple people. Encounter Festival in Preston
FestivalsLancashire
Encounter Festival in Preston

Expect a jam-packed day of outdoor performance, live music, family fun – plus Preston’s iconic Torchlight Procession and fireworks finale.

Free entry
MusicBlackburn
Confessional Festival

Blackburn’s Confessional Festival turns ten, celebrating with two days of live music set beneath the stained glass and vaulted stonework of Holy Trinity Church.

From £20

Where to go near Morecambe Bay

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Music venue
The Platform

Music, comedy, dance, drama and children’s shows in an Edwardian railway station, opposite The Midland Hotel.

Morecambe
Theatre
Morecambe Winter Gardens

The Grade II listed Morecambe Winter Gardens opened its doors to the public on 17 July 1897 designed to be both a grand variety theatre and a concert hall.

Winter Gardens Theatre Morecambe
Morecambe
Event venue
Winter Gardens Theatre

Formerly the Victoria Pavillion Concert Hall and Variety Theatre, opened in 1897, the Winter Gardens theatre’s stage has hosted the likes of Dame Julie Andrews and The Who. The stunning interior is being slowly restored.

The Bay Cycle Way is a perfect introduction to long-distance cycling. Morecambe Bay is one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the UK.
Morecambe
Tourist Attraction
Bay Cycle Way

The Bay Cycle Way is a perfect introduction to long-distance cycling, and passes through some of the UK’s most beautiful coastline.

Morecambe
Tourist Attraction
SHIP
at Half Moon Bay

A striking Corten steel sculpture by artist Anna Gillespie celebrating Morecambe’s maritime heritage. Outdoors, and perfect for walkers.

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Morecambe
Gallery
White Elephant Gallery

White Elephant gallery is a radical art space that has set out to bring cutting-edge contemporary art to the seaside town of Morecambe.

Lancashire
Gallery
Edgelands Gallery

Edgelands Gallery in Morecambe is a beautiful studio and gallery, regularly displaying high quality artwork.

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