The Coastal Heritage of Morecambe Bay

Start your day in Morecambe, a well-known seaside resort and home to some impressive Victorian landmarks that line its sweeping promenade. These historic structures reflect the town’s heyday as a fashionable destination for tourists during the 19th and 20th centuries.

Stroll along the promenade and pay a visit to Morecambe Winter Gardens, an elegant 19th-century theatre which opens for tours during the summer months, and hosts events seasonally. Immerse yourself in the elegance of this grand theatre and learn about the prestigious music acts that performed here during its peak years in the 20th century.

Just to the south of Morecambe lies the picturesque village of Heysham, which boasts some of the finest Anglo-Saxon and Viking sites in the North West including the striking Heysham Head graves, cut directly into the rocks overlooking the rugged coastline.

Head back through Morecambe, stopping for lunch at the Art Deco Midland Hotel. Built by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway in 1933 and temporarily requisitioned as an RAF Station hospital during the Second World War, it was the jewel in Morecambe's hotel crown until the early 2000s.

Bought and reopened in 2008 by Urban Splash, it now welcomes visitors for drinks, meals, afternoon teas and overnight stays in rooms overlooking a wonderful seascape.

After lunch, head for the market town of Carnforth, a charming settlement with a rich military and railway history. The town’s railway station was even used as the filming location for Brief Encounter, David Lean’s romantic cinematic masterpiece.

Then carry to Leighton Hall (open seasonally), a historic house associated with the renowned Gillows furniture-making dynasty. You can tour this family home, and you may even be lucky enough to catch one of the daily bird of prey displays!