Leisurely Lytham Walk
Local writer and walking enthusiast, Steve Garrill, takes us on an easy circular route round Lytham
Lytham Circular 2 (3.5 miles)
Wheelchair/pushchair friendly – but use Woodlands Road instead of Ansdell Road footbridge as Witch Wood can be muddy.
Phil’s Bakery in Market Square is open from 7am for freshly baked goods, butties and coffee.
1. From the Railway Station bear left through Sparrow Park past the drinking fountain. Turn right onto Park Street.
The drinking fountain was built in 1883 in Market Square in memory of John Talbot Clifton by his widow but caused controversy from the start. It was moved to Sparrow Park in 1909 by a local builder at a cost of £40 but never reconnected to the water supply!
2. At the end of Park Street turn right into Market Street. Bear right into Hastings Place. The Cenotaph is on your left.
The Cenotaph was unveiled in 1922. It commemorates the 190 service personnel from Lytham who lost their lives in both world wars and in subsequent conflicts.
3. Turn left at the end and cross over into Queen Street. Turn left into Henry Street. At the end on the right is Lytham Heritage Centre.
Lytham Heritage Centre was the former Manchester & County Bank built in 1899. Open 10am-4pm Tuesday-Sunday, it’s well worth a visit if you are interested in local history.
4. Turn left into Clifton Square and right onto Clifton Street. Pass St Peter’s church and turn right. Cross via the zebra crossing. Turn left to the windmill and lifeboat.
On 9th December 1886, the Mexico was caught in a storm. Lifeboats were launched from this lifeboat station, St Annes and Southport. The Lytham lifeboat Charles Biggs, on her maiden rescue, rescued the 12 crew but the St Annes and Southport lifeboats capsized, 27 of the 29 crew were drowned. This remains the worst disaster in RNLI history.
5. Turn back and continue west along the prom. Turn left to the end of the jetty.
The jetty is the site of a pier which was opened in 1865. Two barges split it in two in a storm in 1903. A fire in 1928 caused further extensive damage and was finally demolished in 1960.
6. Turn back and turn left along the prom.
7. Continue past the shrimping tractors on your left. Turn right and then left to follow the path through the dunes running parallel to a high wall.
Over 90 per cent of Lancashire’s sand dunes are in the Fylde but sadly over 80 per cent of the dunes have been lost in the last 150 years.
8. At the end of the path go to the road, cross over and turn right to pass the White Church. Cross over and go straight on.
[Wheelchair/pushchair turn left, then right at the roundabout, over the bridge, turn right to Rossall Road, turn left at Ansdell Road North.]
9. Cross the footbridge and down Ansdell Road North. Turn right, then cross via the zebra crossing. Cross over Forest Drive. Continue and take the footpath into Witch Wood before the railway bridge.
Witch Wood was opened by HRH Prince Philip in May 1974. It is owned by the Lytham St Annes Civic Society and maintained by volunteers.
10. Continue to the end and turn right into Lytham.
Excellent food and drink available at The Station Pub & Grill.
Signed copies of ‘Walks from the South Fylde Line’ are available from Plackit & Booth, Lytham £8.95