Morecambe Bay Eric Morecambe Statue Midland Hotel Winter Gardens Morecambe Attractions

Morecambe Tourist Guide, Attractions & Eric Morecambe Statue

With a host of regeneration projects now bearing fruit, Morecambe is a classic English seaside resort that is set to boom again. Pulling on its natural assets - a spectacular sandy beach, long glorious 5 mile level promenade overlooking the Lake District and selection of outstanding listed architecture including the Winter Gardens and Midland Hotel, the resort is a busy family hub particularly in peak summer season.

Morecambe's iconic and internationally acclaimed Grade II Listed Art Deco Midland Hotel has been carefully renovated by Urban Splash and opens its doors again in Summer 2008 offering 44 bedrooms, a rotunda cafe, restaurant and new roof terrace. Morecambe's promenade can proudly claim to be one of the most attractive in the UK, lined as it is with flower gardens, children's play areas and a rather good series of sculptures which form part of the Tern Project. Renowned for its sunsets, one of the best spots to watch the sun go down is on Morecambe's stone jetty which pushes out from the Midland Hotel and contains a selection of the Tern Project's bird sculptures. Indeed the Tern Project was inspired by the fact that Morecambe Bay is an internationally important site for wintering wildfowl and wading birds on the vast expanse of sands exposed when the tide goes out. Guided Cross Bay Walks are available (checkout the Cross Bay Walks webguide right for details on how to book). Morecambe Bay is actually the second largest bay in the UK and the largest intertidal area in Britain. The tide can fall back as far as 12km here!

Visitor numbers to Morecambe's tourist information centre have doubled since the unveiling of the superb Eric Morecambe Statue on Morecambe Promenade in 1999. A great success, Eric now serves as obligatory photo take for any visit to Morecambe. Eric was born in Morecambe in 1926 and around the statue are some of his most famous comedy lines and catch phrases etched in stone. A fitting ode to one of Britain's great comedians. Other famous born Morecambe born stars include Dame Thora Hird who was patron to the regeneration of Morecambe's Winter Gardens for many years and Wagne Hemmingway of 'Red or Dead' designer clothes label. Read Wagne's childhood memories of Morecambe (and great photos) via the Winter Gardens webguide link right. Off the promenade and into the town centre, Morecambe boasts a fine choice of pubs, bars, lively cafes and restaurants. Quirky and stylish gift and book shops are numerous - the Pier bookshop in Morecambe is a treasure trove as is the nearby Shell Shop. Around the Platform music venue, which faces onto the Midland Hotel, sits a host more attractions including a large Apollo cinema, Megazone Laser Adventure, Superbowl and various retail outlets. Popular Happy Mount Park, now with new Splash Park paddling pool is situated at the east end of the promenade. Here sits wonderfully peaceful gardens, bowling, swing boats, trampolines and an indoor play area. The West End of the promenade also offers a delightful green space with water fountains, play areas and performance plaza. Two main Morecambe venues - The Platform and The Dome offer a choice of all year round musical shows, concerts and comedy.

The Dome, Marine Road West, Morecambe, Lancashire. LA4 4BY. Tel. 01524 582803. The Platform, Station Buildings, Central Promenade, Marine Road West, Morecambe, Lancashire, LA4 4DB Tel.01524 582803.

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Morecambe Tourist Information & The Tern Project

Morecambe Visitor Information Centre, Old Station Buildings, Marine Road Central, Morecambe, LA4 4DB. Tel. (01524) 582808.

Morecambe's award winning Tern Project, part of extensive renovations of the seafront, has proved a considerable boost to this historic seaside resort. With a bird theme throughout, befitting this birdwatching hotspot, a comprehensive Tern Project leaflet is available from the TIC guiding you round the assortment of sculptures and features.

Start at Morecambe's Stone Jetty which boasts six stunning pieces of artwork by local Bay Artists. At the jetty entrance sits a large maze in the shape of a bird. Other highlights include 'Panorama' on the promenade - a sculpture which identifies the Lakeland peaks it looks across to, with detail on bird links.

The Eric Morecambe Stage is part of the Tern Project situated on Morecambe Promenade. Fast growing as Morecambe's iconic feature, second only to the Midland Hotel, Eric's statue in 'Give me Sunshine' pose is surrounded by a selection of his most famous quotes as well as some stunning bronze seagull statues. At night the Eric Morecambe Stage lights up to great effect.

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Midland Hotel & Winter Gardens Morecambe

Now open again and beautifully refurbished, Morecambe's stunning art deco Midland Hotel first opened on 12th July 1933. It wasn't the first hotel on the site - The Northwestern Hotel opened in 1848 and later changed its name to the Midland when the Midland Railway took over the North Western Railway in 1871. By the end of the 1920s Morecambe had evolved into a popular seaside resort with demand far exceeding what the old Midland Hotel could offer. With the onset of the 1930s depression a cheaper preference for English seaside holidays saw the commissioning of the new Midland hotel in 1932 by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway Company.

Designer Oliver Hill had only recently converted to modernism and took total control of the project both inside and out. The Midland was to be essentially the first modern hotel evolving out of its natural environment. Magnificently white, three storey and concave shaped with seaviews from all rooms, Hill was meticulous about detail from the stunning seahorse carvings on the front entrance to the interior Ceiling Medallion artwork and windows with a hint of blue glass. The Midland quickly rose to fame, attracting numerous famous guests including many celebrities who performed at the nearby Morecambe Winter Gardens including George Formby. Other famous guests included Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson, Winston Churchil and Noel Coward. Read more of the Midland's fascinating history and see photography of past and present via the Midland weblinks right.

Midland Hotel Morecambe, Lancashire, LA4 4DB Tel. 01524 582808.

See also The Winter Gardens (Victoria Pavilion), Marine Road Central, Morecambe, Lancashire LA4 4BU. Correspondance to Evelyn Archer (Chair of The Friends & Trust), 17a, South Grove, Morecambe, Lancashire, LA4 5RL. Tel. 01524 422180. 01524 409009 (office hours). Tours of the Winter Gardens are available - see the Winter Gardens weblink right for details and a history of this famous Morecambe theatre. For Art Deco Walking Tours of Morecambe which depart from Morecambe Visitor Information centre usually at 2pm, contact the Tourist Information Centre or Peter Wade - Tel. 01524 420905.

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