A Walk In Lytham
Start off 2024 by getting out and about with a lovely walk around Lytham to blow away the cobwebs. Here, local author Steve Garrill describes a two mile walk with points of interest along the way…
Starting from Lytham railway station, (long stay car park to the left of the Station Pub if travelling by car) walk down Park Road towards Lytham. At the end turn right into Market Square/Hastings Place.
The impressive cenotaph, unveiled in 1922, commemorates the 190 Lytham service personnel who have lost their lives in both World Wars and subsequent conflicts. Turn back and cross the zebra crossing into Clifton Square.
On the right, at the junction with Henry Street is the Lytham Heritage Centre which is housed in the former Manchester and County Bank. The Heritage Centre hosts exhibitions and also sells a range of inexpensive booklets on local history. Bear diagonally left to pass the front of The Shambles café. Cross the zebra crossing and walk to the promenade. Turn right and continue until you are opposite Lowther Gardens. Turn right to cross the zebra crossing. Turn right and immediately sharp left to walks diagonally left through Lowther Gardens.
Lowther Gardens were formed from rough meadow land and provided in 1872 by Squire Clifton for the benefit of the residents of Lytham. The Lowther Pavilion Theatre provides an impressive range of entertainment. At the end emerge onto Church Road. Cross carefully and turn left to pass St Cuthberts church. St Cuthberts churchyard contains a memorial to the 27 local lifeboatmen who lost their lives in the 1886 Mexico disaster. This remains to this day the worst disaster in RNLI history. Turn right down Church Drive and pass over the railway bridge.
Turn right into Witch Wood which is maintained by volunteers from Lytham St Annes Civic Society. The Civic Society is developing a Heritage Trail between St Annes, Ansdell and Lytham and Witch Wood will form part of this trail. Continue to the end. Turn left to visit Lytham Hall (www.lythamhall.org.uk). Turn right to return to the railway station. If you are interested in history, the Station Pub and Grill has an impressive display of photos of Lytham Past. These were provided by David Hoyle and the Lytham Heritage Group.
On every day except Sunday, you can make this a circuit including Lytham Hall by following these instructions: Go over the railway bridge onto Ringwood Drive, over to Maplewood Close and straight on to cross Forest Drive to the rear entrance of Lytham Hall.
Two mile circuit and 2.7 miles if you include Lytham Hall (3.5 on a Sunday).
Good paths, suitable for pushchairs/wheelchairs although Witch Wood can be muddy after heavy rainfall.
Lytham is exceptionally dog friendly.
There are many more local walks, and a lot of fascinating local history, in ‘Walks from the South Fylde Line’ by Steve Garrill.
Available from Plackitt & Booth on Clifton Street, Lytham.
