- They are the gateway to one of the world's premier links golf courses
- Lots to see and do for everyone, especially families
- Two of England's best-loved, traditional seaside towns
- Quiet, peaceful, tranquil old-world communities
- Can be somewhat crowded on tournament days, and over the summer weekends
- Lytham has an excellent shopping center, a combination of quaint little shops and large stores. It's famous for its windmill.
- St. Annes is a traditional English seaside town with a Victorian pier and entertainment for all, especially families.
- Two local events are the annual St Annes and Lytham Club Days. Both have a procession of decorated floats and funfairs.
On the one hand, Lytham is a traditional coastal village on the Ribble Estuary: picturesque, steeped in history, and perhaps best known for the famous landmark windmill on its village green. Although the town has changed over the centuries it has somehow managed to retain an old-world atmosphere more Victorian than 21st Century. The quaint Victorian buildings, its unforgettable charm, peace and tranquility make it one of Britain's most popular family destinations.
St Annes, however, has become something of a seaside resort. Like Blackpool to the north, it overlooks the Irish Sea. It’s the perfect stop for families because, rain or shine, there always something to see and do.
Although the little seaside town is continually re-inventing itself to keep pace with the 21st century, it never seems to lose its old-world charm. The pier, its promenade, bandstand and promenade gardens are all relics of St Annes' vibrant history. They offer a peek back in time to the days when swimming and sunbathing were strictly regulated by gender, and the highlight of the day, at least for the kids, was a donkey ride along the beach. It's also one of the few English seaside towns that can still boast an original Victorian pier.
Today, even though the swimwear is somewhat briefer than it was in Victorian times, little else has changed. The donkey rides are still available, the old Victorian homes along the promenade are still there - although many have been converted to apartments - and the pier is still open for business. If you’ve never strolled along an English seaside pier, it’s an experience you shouldn’t miss.
When all is said and done, though, Lytham St. Annes' main claim to fame is, of course, the Royal Lytham and St. Annes Golf Club, the venue of 10 Open Golf Championships.
