Creative writing submission from the Rest Less community – submit your entry here.
After we’d left Durham Cathedral, we were facing a drive over the Pennines to Lytham St Annes.
To be honest, I was quite excited. My mother came from Liverpool, and I grew up hearing tales of how she went over the Pennines (I’m assuming on a coach or a bus) to Blackpool. Considering we’d had glorious weather in Durham, I wasn’t expecting our drive over the Pennines to be undertaken in heavy rain, mist and fog, so we couldn’t really see where we were going. It turns out we were on the A66 and the M6 – but it still felt Pennine-ish.
We stopped a couple of times and decided to have a McDonald’s – something we very rarely do – sitting outside in a shelter next to a dried-up Cheeseburger. I certainly added to the ambience by squirting tomato ketchup from inside the burger all down my dress…
By the time we drove onto the seafront at Lytham, the sun was shining, the ketchup had dried, and I was singing “I can see the sea”.
We were booked into the Offshore, an inn that has a truly fabulous position on the sea front. Part of the Inn Collection Group, Offshore is very dog-friendly with Rollo’s favourite Sir Woofchester doggy treats on sale in the bar. Naturally, Rollo stopped at the counter’s big treat jar while we checked in. And yes, that handsome face was offered a handful of treats.
Upstairs in our first-floor seafront spacious room, I did the Four in a Bed thing and sprawled out on the giant six-foot bed, proclaiming it “perfect”.
It was too late for lunch, and too early for dinner, so we did the only thing possible: we walked along the sea front in search of ice cream.
St Annes has the most wonderful beach. It seems to go on forever, and with the tide out, I could just about see the sea somewhere in the distance. Sadly, Rollo wasn’t allowed on the sand to play, so we sat in the gardens, ate our ice creams and people-watched.
One worth noting: there are plenty of public loos, and judging by how beautifully kept and clean the gardens are, I would imagine the loos would be the same – but do remember to take 20p pieces with you!
Lytham St Annes’ endless beach
The high street and the gardens
The following day, we set out to explore. St Annes is one of those old-fashioned towns with a lovely High Street packed with independent shops. Of course, there were all the usual chains, but there are loads of little shops, with streets off the high street to explore. There’s even a pretty little garden, and just look what somebody painted on the loo’s wall – a mural!
It’s St Annes on the Sea’s 150th anniversary is this year, so there are heaps of events through the summer.
The beautiful mural
Carnival Weekend was on 11-13th July, and the Kite Festival takes place the last weekend in August. There is also a Music Festival on the Bank Holiday weekend.
As we were wandering, we discovered Ashton Gardens – and what a wonderful park it is. At its heart is a paved courtyard with a café. We had very well-stuffed sandwiches here that weren’t overly expensive. There’s so much to see here, with 10 acres of Grade II listed buildings.
On the road to Blackpool
If you fancy a little drive towards Blackpool, and you love rescue horses, you could pay a visit to Penny Farm, home to over 60 rescue horses. They also have an undercover barn area where you can find out all about the ponies undergoing rehabilitation.
If you’re heading that way, you could also visit the Blackpool Model Village, with its hundreds of creative village scenes. There’s a quiz as you walk around to make sure you don’t miss anything. And if history is your thing, then a visit to Lytham Hall is a must. With a historic house to explore, parklands to wander around afternoon tea to be had – what a fantastic way to spend the day.
Another successful trip
Quite honestly, our two days at Lytham St Annes just weren’t enough – I loved it there.
I’d only even been to Blackpool once, where I took a ride on a lit-up tram, but Lytham St Annes is its gentler, kinder cousin. I loved the Offshore inn, too – all the staff were so friendly, happy to help and clearly loved doggies!
Lytham St Annes – we will be back.
Are you feeling creative? We are proud to have a hugely talented community on Rest Less, which is why we’re so excited to open up a section of the site dedicated to showcasing the wonderful and diverse writing of our members. If you have a piece of creative writing that you’d like to share with the Rest Less community – you can do so here.