Where is Morecambe?
Why it's in Lancashire of course! Morecambe, Lancaster & The Lune Valley are holiday destinations that may not get the big prizes for the most visited tourist spots in the UK, but personally I think this is a big plus for the area. Its sister resort Blackpool receives much of the attention, but Morecambe is less than an hours drive north of Blackpool and offers a quieter, more laid-back atmosphere for those who prefer their holidays minus the glitz and non-stop energy of the Golden Mile. Lancaster caters for all tastes.
Morecambe doesn't discriminate on budget either so if you don't want to break the bank, but need to escape for a while, you can pitch your tent from just £16 per night at the Venture Caravan Park. The other end of the budget scale is well represented. In 2008 the luxury, Art Deco Midland Hotel was opened to the public after a £7 million restoration. Situated at the west end of Marine Road, the hotel is only 2 minutes walk from the Morecambe Railway Station. Trains run from Leeds & Lancaster to Morecambe, so you can even have a green holiday and leave the car at home. The Midland oozes 1930s style with its curved facade following the coastline, the stunning Rotunda Bar that wouldn't feel out of place in an Agatha Christie novel and the Sun Terrace Restaurant where you can take advantage of the picture-perfect sea views.
Finding a bite to eat and something fun to keep you occupied shouldn't be a problem in Morecambe either. Head for James Baxter & Son who specialise in the town's famous potted shrimps. The Baxter family have been potting shrimps for over 200 years no less. Happy Mount Park hold events throughout the summer (May to September) or just sit back and listen to the brass band that plays every Sunday at 2.30pm. The Promenade is the place to be in Morecambe with regular Summer Festivals including the Sandcastle Festival, Worldfolk Festival and the Seaside Festival. Of course we have to mention Eric Morecambe, a man loved by millions across the world, but nowhere moreso than in Morecambe where his statue graces the Promenade and in 2012 the Eric Morecambe Weekend will be celebrated mid May.
Venturing out of Morecambe, Lancaster & the Lune Valley boast some beautiful waterways so a trip on a canal boat, a visit to the Maritime Museum or perhaps a cycle ride alongside the River Lune might be in order. Lancaster Castle, the City Museum and the 19th century St Peter's Cathedral will keep those in need of a little culture perfectly content. If it's something a bit more challenging you're longing for and the thought of sitting in a café or looking at heritage architecture sends you to sleep (a bonus for some), then birdwatching, walking along the stunning canals or tackling the Lancashire Coastal Way might do the trick. Or even a walk up to Warton Crag overlooking Carnforth, if hills are your thing.
If the only way you have seen Lancashire to date is to drive through it en route further north or Blackpool is as far as you've explored, then you should definitely put it on your must visit list for the near future - it's a relatively undiscovered British treasure. Maybe you are wondering when you will be able to afford going on holiday again - Lancashire has this covered too, with a handful of top tips for holidaying on a budget. See? They've pretty much thought of everything.