The Lancaster and Morecambe Cycling Experience
by Beth Pipe, The Cumbrian Rambler
Want to explore Lancaster and Morecambe Bay by bike? The good news is that most of this route is flat, with only one short hill to push your bike up (or cycle up if you want to show off!).
Start off at Millennium Bridge (that’s the big pointy footbridge) and follow the cycle route upstream along the River Lune until you reach the Lune Aqueduct. This is the only hill as you’ll need to follow the cycle slope up onto the aqueduct but be sure to pause and admire the graceful arches first.
The aqueduct was designed by John Rennie and completed in 1797 and it carries the Lancaster Canal over the Lune valley. Once you get up onto the towpath turn left to follow it over the river and you’ll find a detailed information board at the end.
Keep going along the towpath, admiring the views along the way. After passing under the dual carriageway bridge look for Route 69 signposted left before the next group of houses and follow this left, over a main road and down onto Morecambe Promenade.
The first thing you’ll spot is the wonderful Venus and Cupid statue – a woman holding a child aloft. It was installed in 2005 and recently renovated using the Japanese art of ‘Kintsugi’ where missing tiles were replaced with gold leaf. How many can you spot?
Continue on along the prom towards Morecambe and make the most of spectacular views out across the bay. It is the largest expanse of intertidal mudflats in the UK, has 5 rivers emptying into it, and is a haven for thousands of species, including the many migrating birds who visit each year.
If you find yourself in need of a breather and haven’t packed your sarnies, then head for Happy Mount Park over the road on the left just a little further along. Opened in 1920 it’s free to visit and you’ll find a café, play area, crazy golf, gardens and a range of activities, including brass band concerts, throughout the year. It’s open from 8:30am to dusk every day and is a true local icon.
As you carry on towards town you’ll pass the yacht club, where there’s another great info board, before arriving at the town by the iconic clock tower. It was built in 1905 at the height of Morecambe’s popularity and is still a much loved local landmark.
Keep your eyes peeled as you continue your journey as the prom floor has lots of lovely design features and plaques with fascinating local facts.
No trip to Morecambe would be complete without a visit to see ‘our Eric’. Unveiled by the Queen in 1999 the bronze statue of Eric Morecambe is larger than life, just like the man himself. Look closely and you’ll spot a pair of binoculars around his neck as he was a keen birdwatcher, and don’t leave before you’ve read all the wonderful one-liners in the gardens around him.
There are so many wonderful sights along the prom, including the Winter Gardens (you MUST pop in if they are open) and the striking art deco Midland Hotel where you can cool down with a drink, or take a detour to the end of the Stone Jetty for more fabulous views.
When you’re ready to head back to Lancaster, cross the road opposite the Midland to The Platform – once an old railway station and now a popular local venue. To the left of there is the Flock of Words path which was opened in 2003 and is a glorious collection of poems, jokes, and fascinating local facts.
At the end, cross the road and head behind the pizza shop to find Route 69 towards Lancaster. This ‘Greenway’ is a popular local commute between Lancaster and Morecambe and will have you back at Millenium Bridge in no time at all.
