When you plan your next visit the seaside be sure to include the Fylde Coast town centres too. Each of the towns between Fleetwood and Lytham is very different, with a lot more than just shops to see and experience! (Pictured above: Cleveleys)
In this page we’ll take you on a whistle stop tour of Fylde Coast town centres. Follow the links to find out much more information about each place. The big annual events are also included, but there’s always something happening – find details in the events calendar.
We’ll start in the north, in Fleetwood.
Fleetwood – the most northerly Fylde Coast Town Centre
Fleetwood is at the very northern tip of the peninsula of land bounded by the River Wyre and Irish Sea. Find Fleetwood town centre running right through the middle of it.
Take a walk through the town in this video, filmed in July 2020 –
From the pretty, Victorian seaside of The Esplanade, North Albert Street cuts inland. Around St Peters Church and the area of the market it turns into Lord Street. The long, straight high street goes right through to Fisherman’s Walk at the Asda end of the town, not far from Affinity Lancashire.
Before you get to the end of Lord Street, Poulton Road turns off at right angles to weave its way past the Strawberry Gardens to Aldi and Gee Tees.
There’s plenty of free on-street parking in Fleetwood, along with pay and display car parks. Plus of course, you can use Blackpool Transport buses and the tramway, which shares North Albert Street and Lord Street.
Things to Do in Fleetwood
There are three really big annual events held each year in Fleetwood. There’s Fleetwood Carnival, Tram Sunday and Fleetwood Festive Lights. Each are big community events which take place throughout the town.
When you’re at this Fylde Coast town centre you must of course go ‘to the seaside’ and visit the seafront. While you’re there, visit Fleetwood Museum which you’ll find on Dock Street, in one of the town’s oldest buildings.
Take a walk around the Victorian seafront and soak up the atmosphere. See the two lighthouses, take a trip on the Ferry and visit the newly restored Euston Gardens.
Cleveleys Town Centre
This is a popular Fylde Coast town and Cleveleys town centre is a busy and vibrant place all year round.
The main shopping street is Victoria Road West which runs at right angles to the coast. The tramway and main road from Fleetwood to Blackpool runs parallel to the coastline, straight through the centre.
Take a look at the high street, from sea to Sainsbury’s, in this video filmed in June 2020 –
Cleveleys has just about all of the shops for you to buy pretty much most of the things you might want. There are supermarkets, clothes, homewares, independent food shops (butchers, bakers etc) and much more. This town centre is looked after by an active Coastal Community Team, who keep it looking nice.
Things to do in Cleveleys
Throughout the year you can enjoy a spot of shopping, then sit and watch the world go by – maybe at a pavement cafe. You’ll often catch the tunes of a busker, playing in the town centre.
Depending on your preference, you might want to visit the cinema or the children’s playground at Jubilee Gardens. Or maybe head to The Venue for a meal or an evening out. Head to the seafront for a lovely walk where you can sit and enjoy the view and visit the Mythic Coast artwork trail.
and a little inland… Poulton
The market town of Poulton le Fylde was once the commercial centre of north Fylde, hundreds of years ago. Ships once came along the River Wyre to Skippool Creek and their goods traded in Poulton market square.
There’s still a weekly general market on Mondays, and it’s a busy little town. There’s a good mix of high street names and independent stores, all centred around the market square itself and the pretty St Chad’s Church.
This short clip pans around the Market Square, taken from St Chad’s –
Things to do in Poulton
There are two big annual events in the town centre each year. Poulton Gala takes place in summer. The Christmas Festival is held on the first Friday of December.
Blackpool – the biggest of the Fylde Coast Town Centres!
Right at the center of the Fylde Coast is the place with something for everyone! Blackpool town centre blends shopping with entertainment, fun, theatre, bright lights and food!
Let’s start with the first thing you think of in a town centre – the shopping. There’s the indoor Houndshill Shopping Centre and the surrounding streets where you’ll find large high street names and independent retailers. Abingdon Street Market is near to St John’s Square.
In this video we took a walk through the town centre just after the first lockdown of 2020 came to an end –
Head on towards Blackpool North railway station and you’ll come to Bickerstaffe Square. This area is undergoing regeneration – Sainsbury’s supermarket and Bickerstaffe House have already been completed.
At the other end of town towards Blackpool seafront, promenade and Central Pier is Bonny Street Market and the promenade shops. These sell general gifts and the types of things loved by tourists.
Things to do in Blackpool
But this Fylde Coast town centre is about so much more than just shopping!
It’s a place to enjoy yourself. Soak up the atmosphere and feel alive! There’s a special atmosphere in summer and winter alike. Take in a show at The Grand Theatre, Winter Gardens, or Viva Showbar. Or enjoy watching the world go by in St John’s Square (below).
There are plenty of places where you can enjoy a coffee, light snack or an evening out too. From cafes and coffee shops to bars and clubs, there’s plenty to do in Blackpool town centre if you like entertainment.
The capital of the organised event!
There’s always something happening throughout the year. From the pigeon fanciers take-over in January to legions of ballroom dancers, lots of big organised festivals take place. Plus all of the big free events like the Airshow, World Fireworks Championships and Switch On weekend.
Speaking of Switch On, Blackpool does, of course, come to life each autumn for the Illuminations. Most of the display is along the promenade but the lights do extend to the town centre. Follow Brilliance from the promenade not far from North Pier to Birley Street for a sound and light installation.
Brilliant beaches
Blackpool town centre extends right to the seafront. There are shops and attractions all along the promenade. No page about this particular town centre would be complete without mention of the spectacular seafront and all those miles of amazing beach!
Redevelopment of Blackpool town centre
There is a lot of redevelopment and construction work taking place in Blackpool town centre.
The Talbot Road end of town near the railway station is undergoing a transformation. Work is taking place at the back of the Winter Gardens around the new Winter Gardens Conference Centre. The new Sands hotel is being built on the promenade. Central car park is being redeveloped as a major new attraction. It’s all very exciting and will transform the town for the future. However, it is causing some disruption in the short term.
All in all, Blackpool is one of the Fylde Coast town centres that everyone should visit!
St Annes Town Centre
Once you’ve left the bright lights of Blackpool, next stop south is St Annes. It has its roots in the days of the original, traditional Victorian seaside, with grand hotels, stone buildings and wide streets. It’s a very attractive town, and very popular with families.
St Annes town centre is more or less a ‘T’ shape. The long stretch of seaside seafront joins the main high street at right angles, adjacent to St Annes Pier (below). It’s quite a compact place where you can nicely incorporate a look around the town centre with a trip to the coast!
St Annes Road West is a very attractive high street, with gardens and shelters and places to sit awhile and watch the world go by. Enjoy your shopping and stop for a bite to eat.
This is another place where you’ll find plenty of free on-street parking. Pay and display facilities are both on the main street and the nearby NCP.
Things to do in St Annes
Like the other Fylde Coast town centres, St Annes is also taken over several times a year by big community events. There’s St Annes Carnival and Christmas events each year. Plus the Kite Festival, and a number of other events throughout the year.
And don’t forget to take a stroll through nearby Ashton Gardens!
Lytham – the most southerly of the Fylde Coast Town Centres
Last stop in our north to south exploration of town centres is Lytham.
Here, the main shopping street runs parallel to the coast road. Once you’re at Lytham Green all you have to do is turn inland to arrive in Lytham town centre.
It’s a very attractive town, where good looking buildings run along both sides of the tree-lined street. Lytham town centre is home to many independent retailers, with fewer national names than found in most towns these days. Even the department store is an independent.
Join us in this walking tour of Lytham town centre, filmed in September 2020 –
Interspaced with the shops are cafes, restaurants and bars, including proper seaside fish and chips! Whether you’d like to fuel your shopping trip during the day, or fancy an evening out, there are plenty of places to eat and drink.
Clifton Square (above) is a nice spot to sit for a while on a sunny day. Enjoy watching the world go by and, in summer, the beautiful displays of flowers from Lytham in Bloom.
Things to do in Lytham
You’d be right in thinking that Lytham is also home to large community events throughout the year. Lytham Club Day takes over the town, as does the Wartime Weekend and Lytham Festival. In Winter the Christmas Lights Switch On is another big event.
Not far from the high street, just past the railway station is the beautiful Lytham Hall. Take a walk in the grounds, look around the house and enjoy a drink in the cafe.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our round-up of Fylde Coast town centres. If you think there’s anything we’ve missed please let us know.
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