From the quiet leafy resort of St. Annes , through the golden bustling resort of Blackpool, to the fishing port of Fleetwood.
Before I set off from the pier at St. Annes I pay my respects to the great comedian, Les Dawson who was born here. They have erected a statue in his memory in the garden next to the pier.
I walk along the sand dunes at first but it is hard going so I end up walking along the coastal road. I can see the airport to my right which was sadly closed last year as an international airport but is still used for non-commercial activity.
Squires Gate is at the start of the southern end of Blackpool where the trams turn round, I notice a couple of drivers under instruction. I am sure that there used to be a Butlin’s Holiday Camp at Squires Gate, but it looks like it has been sold off and new houses have been built on the site.
Blackpool is either one of those places you love or hate. It can seem quite grand with the Winter Gardens and the Tower Ballroom but also quite cheesy with its cheap B & B’s and seafront amusements. The Promenade looks like it has been smartened up and is a pleasant walk with trams, new and old passing by. The view is dominated by the tower for miles around.
Once you pass the North Pier the seafront is a lot quieter. Considering the number of times I have been to Blackpool, I had never been to Cleveleys. It had a pleasant clean feel to it with lovely sandy beaches.
At Rossall the promenade was closed off for major repairs to the sea wall, so I walked past the golf course on the road to the beach at Fleetwood. I notice that the ferry across to Knott-on-sea was suspended until 5:30 probably when the tide would be in.