Discover the hidden gem of Morecambe in Lancashire and experience Morecambe Bay’s beauty, the Midland Hotel’s grandeur, the humour of Eric Morecambe, the vibrancy of the Festival Market, and the timeless charm of the Stone Jetty.
And that’s not all; Morecambe is accessible to wheelchair users, and if that’s not enough, Morecambe is a seaside town that’s about to get even better.
On the back of an enjoyable road trip along the Fylde Coast, Morecambe was our next North West coastal destination.
Morecambe, like most seaside towns, has been through tough times. But, as far as I can see, it’s a town going places, not least because of the Eden Project Morecambe, which will be a significant attraction on England’s North West coast.
My Top 5 Reasons to Visit Morecambe in a Wheelchair
The Award-Winning Promenade
We started our wheelchair-friendly walk at the northern end of the promenade.
We were treated to excellent views across Morecambe Bay to Cumbria, with the lake district in the background.
The bay is a haven for wildlife and boasts dramatic sunsets. You can take a guided walk across Morecambe Bay, but it is treacherous with its quicksand and fast-moving tides, and never attempt to walk it without an experienced guide.
It would be no good for a wheelchair user, but I wonder how a beach wheelchair with massive wheels would fare. Please let me know if anyone from Morecambe guided walks reads this post.
Access for wheelchairs and mobility scooters on the promenade is excellent, long, flat and uncluttered. You might have to dodge the odd sand drift, which adds to the adventure.
As you wander along the promenade, there’s plenty to see, including installations from the Tern Project and the area’s most famous son, Eric Morecambe. There’s even an access ramp-up to Eric!
About halfway down the promenade, a cafe and public toilets are underneath the clock. There are two accessible toilets, we used a RADAR key, but I think you can also pay!
What I like the most about the promenade is how accessible it is. It’s easy to navigate and has flat sections on uneven surfaces for wheelchairs, prams and bikes.
The Stone Jetty
I love this jetty; it’s official.
When I thought Morecambe couldn’t get any better, we happened upon The Stone Jetty at the end of the promenade. And, when I saw the cutouts on the uneven surfaces for wheelchairs, I loved it even more.
According to Visit Lancashire – Morecambe Stone Jetty, the jetty is all that is left of the original harbour and has been transformed into a lovely walk out into the bay.
The TERN Project is a collection of award-winning public art installations celebrating birdlife in and around Morecambe Bay.
At the end of the jetty is a cafe serving hot and cold food. It’s a great place to rest and absorb the views across the bay.
Happy Mount Park
We didn’t visit Happy Mount Park, but it deserves mention. Happy mount park is a must if you’re visiting, especially with children.
Attractions include:
- Splash Park
- Swing Boats
- Adventure Playground
- Adventure Gold
- Train Rides
- and much more
For more details about what’s on, attractions and events in Happy Mount Park: Visit Happy Mount Park
The Midland Hotel
As hotels go, the Art Deco-styled Midland Hotel in Morecambe is unique.
The hotel has a long and colourful history. Now a grade ll listed building, the hotel reopened in 2008 after an extensive refurbishment by Urban Splash. The hotel was a hospital during the war and featured in Agatha Christie’s Poirot – The Midland Hotel.
And it’s been further refurbished by its new owners, The Inn Collection. We have stayed in two of their other hotels, The Hogs Head Inn and The Commissioners Quay. They were fantastic, so I can only imagine how fabulous the Midland Hotel is.
Accessible Tourism
Having visited many seaside towns on our travels, we know how inaccessible they can be. But, from our perspective, the promenade and jetty in Morecambe are wheelchair heaven.
More importantly, there does seem to be a concerted effort throughout the town to make it accessible to everyone. For that, Morecambe should be commended.
Here’s What Else You Need to Know About Morecambe
Okay, so you might have guessed, we love Morecambe. We encourage you to visit if you enjoy good old British seaside towns. And here’s some more information to help you decide:
Where is Morecambe?
Morecambe is in Lancashire on the North West Coast of England. North of Heysham, Morecambe is in a large bay on the Irish sea. If you are travelling by car, you will use the M6, and if I remember correctly, there’s a new road taking you to Morecambe and Heysham.
What is Morecambe Famous for?
Morecambe is famous for its fishing, cockles, shrimps, stunning bay and Eric Morecambe. And in my opinion, its accessibility.
More recently, its most famous son is Tyson Fury, the world heavyweight champion boxer. And, if everything goes according to plan, it will become famous for the Eden Project Morecambe.
What’s in Morecambe?
Morecambe is small, not over-commercialised, and still displays relics of what I think is a Victorian seaside town.
Take yourself back in time at the Morecambe Heritage and Visitor Centre, or when it’s open, take the time to visit the nostalgic Morecambe Winter Gardens.
And, of course, there is the 4-mile-long promenade, stone jetty, parks, beach, festival market and plenty of places to eat.
Morecambe is a relaxed town, and it’s ideal for a short visit or day trip, especially if you need access.
Accessible Places to Stay in Morecambe
I’ll be honest; if I were staying in Morecambe, I’d stay in the Midland Hotel. It’s one of those things you must do because it’s not just a hotel; it’s an experience.
I’m sure there are many other accessible places to stay in and around Morecambe, but I only want to stay in one.
Takeaway
Can you tell we are big fans of Morecambe?
Look, it’s not Blackpool; it’s much more relaxed, less busy and a lot less noisy.
We love a stroll on a promenade, and with its stunning views, Morecambe’s promenade is up there with the best of them. And, because it’s so accessible to Bridget in her wheelchair, it’s one of our firm favourites.