New Year, New Walk
Local writer and walking enthusiast, Steve Garrill, recommends a leisurely Lytham walk for the new year
A lovely short walk of just under three miles, through Lytham, along the front and back through Lowther Gardens and Witch Wood. Ample refreshment stops and friendly people!
1. From the railway station bear slightly left along the path and continue in the same direction along Park Street. Turn right into Market Square. Coffee and bacon barms are available at Phil’s Bakery from 7am if, like me, you are an early morning walker! On your left is the Market Hall and the Cenotaph set in the beautiful Memorial Gardens.
The Cenotaph was unveiled in 1922. It is in memory of the 190 service men and women from Lytham who lost their lives in WWI, WWII and subsequent conflicts.
2. Turn back and cross the zebra into Clifton Square and then proceed left up Clifton Street. Cross the next zebra and continue in the same direction.
Lytham has many thriving independent shops and cafes. The building which contains Plackitt & Booth was originally a pair of cottages built in 1844 at a cost of £500.
3. Cross again at the next zebra and continue in the same direction to pass St Peter’s Catholic church. Turn right to the end and cross over using the zebra.
The Catholic faith in Lytham dates back to 1190. St Peter’s, which is beautifully decorated inside, was built in 1839 at a cost of £3,000.
4. Continue to the front and turn left briefly to view Lytham Windmill and the old Lifeboat Station.
It was from this lifeboat station that the Lytham lifeboat was launched in December 1886 along with the lifeboats from St Annes and Southport. The other lifeboats never returned and 27 crew members were drowned. The Windmill and lifeboat museums are run by volunteers from the Lytham Heritage Group. They are closed in the winter months but please pay a visit later in the year.
5. Continue along and, if time and weather permit, walk to the end of the jetty. After a high tide or rain the wooden jetty is extremely slippery so take great care.
6. Continue past the mussel tanks which are next to the Lifeboat shop and were restored and reopened by Lytham St Annes Civic Society in 2019.
7. As you pass the car park opposite Lytham Assembly rooms you are passing the site of what was a magnificent pier. This was opened in 1892, badly damaged in 1903 and again in 1928. It was finally demolished in 1960.
8. Cross via the next zebra and proceed diagonally through Lowther Gardens. There is yet another café on the left, often almost full of the many volunteers who keep Lytham and its front so nice.
The development of Lowther Gardens was funded by the Squire of Lytham in 1872 in honour of his wife who was from the Lowther family in Cumbria. They were provided for the benefit of the residents and visitors to Lytham.
9. Proceed out of the far entrance. Cross the road and turn left. Pass St Cuthbert’s church and turn left up Church Drive.
Church Drive was once the private drive from Lytham Hall to St Cuthberts.
10. Turn right into Witch Wood and walk to the end.
Witch Wood is owned by Lytham St Annes Civic Society and maintained by its volunteers.
11. At the end turn right over the railway bridge and down the steps on the right-hand side.
Inside the Station pub you will find good food and many fascinating photographs of old Lytham provided by David Hoyle of Lytham Heritage Group.
For more walks and local history see Walks from the South Fylde Line by Steve Garrill. Signed copies are available from Plackitt & Booth £9.95.
