Take a step back in time with our photos of Morecambe beach
The bank holiday is coming - but what did the summers of the past look like?
Morecambe's journey as a seaside resort began in Victorian times.
This was thanks to a new railway link which brought visitors from across Lancashire and further afield hoping to escape the daily grind with seaside excitement and a dose of fresh air.
It became a popular destination for workers from industrial places like East Lancashire and Preston during the annual holiday known as 'Wakes Week.' This was an official period of closure when the mills and factories ground to a halt and workers would travel by train to coastal resorts for a break.
Lido Promenade, Sandylands, Morecambe in 1920
Thanks to the influx of tourists, iconic buildings sprang up to cater for the crowds in Morecambe, like the Winter Gardens theatre and the Park Hotel, to be quickly followed by a lido and two legendary piers.
By the 20th century, the town had become a popular coastal hotspot, and a glamorous art deco hotel, The Midland, was built in the interwar years, replacing an older, Victorian hotel. Meanwhile Morecambe's Pontins was said to be the biggest in the country by the mid 20th century.
Morecambe Sands, pictured in 1927
The ensuing decades saw something of a decline in the town's popularity as people eschewed the British seaside for more far-flung locations abroad. Meanwhile, further setbacks were the loss of Morecambe's Central and West End Piers to storm and fire respectively.
However, the Morecambe of today offers a host of summer fun, from seaside fun on the beach, to a coffee and a walk along the charming promenade, or a chance to view the statue of the town's most famous export, comedian Eric Morecambe. Alternatively, visitors can pop into Happy Mount Park, or they can check out what family and budget friendly fun is on offer at Morecambe Family Hub and Morecambe Library.
The clock tower on Morecambe Promenade, gifted to Morecambe 1905, pictured next to the skeleton of Morecambe Tower on the left
And the town could be set for further revival in future, thanks to Eden Project Morecambe, a planned contemporary and innovative new visitor attraction focusing on education, ecology and community, aimed at attracting visitors, creating jobs and new opportunities for local business.
In the meantime, as Eden Project Morecambe is awaited with bated breath, we take a step back in time to revisit the summers of Morecambe's past thanks to the Lancashire Archives.
Storm at Morecambe Pier West End circa 1900
*If you're interested in finding out more about the past in Lancashire, why not visit the Lancashire Archives?
They're based at Bow Lane, Preston, Lancashire PR1 2RE, and their opening times are 9.30am to 5pm from Tuesday to Friday, and until 4pm on the second Saturday of every month.
They can be contacted on Tel: 01772 533039 and at archives@lancashire.gov.uk
- Find out what's happening at our museums this summer by visiting our What's On page, navigating to the left hand column and selecting dates, locations and types of activities that interest you LCC Events
- You can also find out how we can help you make the most of our services this summer, via our #LancsSummer campaign website: www.lancashire.gov.uk/summer