Blackpool is one of the UK’s most iconic seaside towns but just five miles away is a town that’s just as inviting yet totally different
With its tower, illuminated promenade and Pleasure Beach amusement park, Blackpool is one of the most well-known seaside towns in the UK, attracting around 20 million tourists every year.
But a smaller town, just five miles south, slips under the radar of holidaymakers. I visited Lytham St Annes, historically a fishing and shrimping harbour with a Victorian pier and golden beach, to see exactly how it was different to its famous neighbour.
I parked up close to St Annes Pier before having a stroll along the seafront and the first thing I noticed was how quiet and peaceful it was — a far cry from the hectic nature of a tourism giant like Blackpool.
“It’s a lot different here and it’s less frenetic,” Janet Ruanne tells me as she sits on a bench with her husband Martin. “We love it here. We’ve got the beach so close and there’s many nice places to walk. We come to the promenade basically every day, it’s lovely.”
The couple are from East Lancashire but moved to Lytham St Annes five years ago. They believe they have a beach worthy of rivalling any in the area, including Blackpool’s.
Mrs Ruanne, 67, says: “I think we’ve got one of the best beaches on this whole coastline. The people here are so friendly too which you don’t get everywhere else. It’s just a lovely place to come to.”
Mr Ruanne, 72, adds: “You’ll notice the beach here is really clean. They have a good group of volunteers who come and clean the beach regularly.”
From the South Promenade I walked towards and through the pier. It is located directly in front of the main high street, surrounded by a bandstand, Victorian shelters and seafront gardens.
St Annes Pier was built in 1885 and cost £18,000. Built from cast iron and wood, the structure was one of the first public buildings in St Annes.
It was restored in 2018 and now features a host of amusement games perfect for young families to enjoy. The open-air end of the pier boasts stunning coastal views across St Annes seafront and towards Blackpool.
It was here that I met Jenny Shaw who was visiting the area with her family. They are from Chesterfield, in Derbyshire, and visit Lytham St Annes most summers.
“We normally come in the summer holidays. It’s flat which makes it easy to walk around and enjoy,” she says. “The beach is lovely and there’s some nice parks. I think the town centre is underrated too – there’s plenty of places to eat and drink.”
While Blackpool can sometimes be tarred with a bad reputation for antisocial behaviour in its busiest months, Mrs Shaw says this is not the case with Lytham St Annes. “There’s no bad behaviour here. I think bits of Blackpool are quite grim but you don’t get that in Lytham. Everyone is really friendly and lovely,” she explains.
Lytham St Annes’ beach has miles of golden sand and is lined by iconic beach huts. It strikes me as a quintessentially British and timeless beach, perfect for leisurely walks and family activities.
Relaxing on the beach are Chris and Wendy Moden. The pair are visiting Lytham St Annes from Bolton and think it’s the perfect place to come for young families.
Mr Moden, 70, says: “We’ve got two grandchildren – aged six and four. We’d definitely bring them here, I think it’s perfect for a holiday.”
He tells me the family also enjoy visiting Fairhaven Lake, which is located between Lytham and St Annes. The saltwater lake offers a variety of activities, including boat rodes, nature walks, a play park and an area for bird watching.
He adds: “It’s a lot better than Blackpool. It’s a lot cleaner and less busy which I think people appreciate. Every time we come here we feel like we’ve had a good day out.”
Mrs Moden then chimes in: “Everyone is so friendly here. There’s never any trouble. We can come for a quiet walk along the beach and the views are beautiful.”
The promenade and pier are conveniently located close to the main high street. There are a number of shops and cafes on St Annes Road West including big name retailers and independent businesses.
Hazel, who did not want to give her surname, has lived in the town since she was five years old. She is sat in the town centre after doing some shopping.
“I think I’ve had a great life here really. We’re so lucky to live in a place like this. I always like going to sit down at the beach. We’re just very lucky really.”
According to Hazel, Lytham St Annes is far quieter and more relaxed than its famous neighbour.
“Blackpool always get really busy and noisy. It was terrible last time I visited – it was far too much,” she explains. “It’s a lot quieter here which I like. It’s cleaner too as we get less tourists.
“There’s also less antisocial behaviour here I think, although we get some. Just like everywhere, you’ve got some nicer and less nice bits.”
If you’re after an action-packed seaside holiday with lively nightlife and entertainment, then Blackpool will remain your place.
But if you prefer a more relaxed and peaceful holiday, then Lytham St Annes is probably going to be a better option. It boasts charm and natural beauty, as well as a slower pace of life.