Close enough to the twinkling lights of Blackpool to make a stay an adventure, yet with all the charm of a traditional coastal resort, Lytham St Annes manages to balance the very best of both worlds. Made up of Lytham and St-Annes-on-sea, this sandy resort’s one of our favourite gems on that rather beautiful Lancashire coast. Whether you’re content to lose yourself on rural pathways and stumble upon sleepy villages, or you’re dreaming of chic boutiques and foodie restaurants, the lovely thing about the Fylde region is that pretty much anything goes.

If it’s a festival you’re after you’re in luck. The Lytham Festival runs every July (previous headliners have included Madness, Status Quo and Tom Jones), and the St Annes Kite Festival sees the resort’s seafront transform into a sea of colour as kite fliers show off their skills each year. Lytham St Annes is one of those destinations where you start to live in your flip flops, and life slowly starts to revolve around the beach. Backed by pretty little beach huts, the seafront’s perfect for a wander, time with the kids, or a sneaky snooze in the sun.

Things to do in Lytham St Annes

First thing’s first during a Lytham St Annes holiday, and that’s a trip to the beach at St-Annes-on-Sea. The Victorian pier gives this stretch of coast the feel of days gone by, and it’s a relaxing spot for a wander with some fish and chips. St Annes-on-Sea has been regenerated in recent years, and it’s the kind of destination where you can play on traditional amusements, pop the kids on a donkey for a donkey ride and then sit down on the sand with an ice cream.

For those days that are all about a picnic in the park and then watching the kids let off steam, Ashton Gardens is a gorgeous park created with families in mind. Designed to be one of the area’s breathing spaces, the gardens are popular with walkers, parents and dog owners. There’s a playground for younger children too.

Places to visit in Lytham St Annes

One of the things we love about Lytham St Annes, is that the resort has a character all its own – and so it stands to reason that it’s home to its own windmill. Perched in the middle of a large grassy area just a stone’s throw from the seafront, the windmill’s a popular stop off point for walkers. Climb your way to the top, and then explore the little museum in the basement. Entry to the windmill is free, and there’s a donation box as it’s run by friendly volunteers. And if you visit on a sunny day, the kids can join the others who are likely to be flying their kites on the green that surrounds the landmark.

We feel like Lytham Hall is something of a secret, as it’s one of those beautiful settings visitors tend to stumble upon and then count their lucky stars that they do. Set in acres of picturesque grounds, Lytham Hall’s known as the finest Georgian house in Lancashire, and we have it on very good authority that it’s a lovely spot for a walk with the dog and breakfast in the tea rooms. The house is slowly being restored to its former glory, thanks to lottery funding, and if you visit on a Wednesday, a Thursday, a Friday or a Sunday you can take of the guided tours.