Award winning parks, gardens and the coast

The Fylde area is a regular winner of a wide range of awards for its beautifully presented parks and gardens and great pride is taken on the presentation of these public spaces. You’ll see gardeners out come rain or shine and there’s many volunteer groups that work tirelessly to upkeep these special areas – whether the beach, dunes, parks or gardens. Plus, do look out for the coastal ranger team who are out and about patrolling the area and delivering wildlife activity and educational projects.

lytham in bloom

In Bloom

You’ll find many parks, open spaces, residential gardens right throughout the Fylde borough that are regular winners of the North West In Bloom awards. This means that the towns and villages of Fylde are beautifully presented and there’s much dedication, passion and team work from the In Bloom volunteer groups that comes together to achieve fantastic results.

Lytham has received well-earned recognition at the 2023 Britain in Bloom national community gardening competition, winning both a Gold Award and the joint Category Winner Award in the Coastal category. Well done to everyone involved!

The current Fylde In Bloom winners who should be very proud of their efforts can be found here

Green Flag

The Green Flag Award is the benchmark national standard for parks and green spaces in the United Kingdom. The Green Flag scheme was set up to recognise and reward green spaces in England and Wales that met the laid-down high standards. The range of parks and gardens in Fylde with a Green Flag flying confirms that you are never too far from a great outdoor space anywhere in the borough, with many having had significant improvements over the years. These are as follows:

  • Lowther Gardens, Lytham
  • Fairhaven Lake, Fairhaven
  • Promenade Gardens, St Annes
  • Ashton Gardens, St Annes
  • Memorial Gardens, Lytham
  • Elswick Village Hall and Gardens
Green flag

Beautiful parks and gardens

There are some absolutely stunning parks and open spaces around Fylde and well worth a visit. These include:

  • Ashton Gardens, St Annes. Located close to the centre of the town, the Grade II listed Ashton Gardens has a popular Pavilion for coffee or bite to eat, crown green bowling, toddler and junior playground, rose garden, war memorial rock and water garden. Access guide HERE
  • Lowther Gardens, Lytham. These gardens include NEW Padel Tennis courts, playground, crazy golf, the popular Lowther Theatre and café, mature gardens and the well known Shrimper statue in the central water feature. In August 2022 a statue of the late comedian Bobby Ball was unveiled in the gardens – Bobby lived close and would often be seen at the theatre or in the gardens. Webcam views of the gardens can be seen HERE.
  • Promenade Gardens. Take a stroll through the Grade II listed Promenade Gardens from St Annes Pier along to the Beach Terrace Café. There’s a beautiful Victorian bandstand and shelters, Mexico disaster monument, boating pool, pulhamite rock work, lake, waterfall, play area and adjacent mini links golf course.
  • Peace and Happiness Garden, St Annes on the Sea. Located close to the pier in St Annes, you’ll find a statue of former local resident, the much loved comedy legend Les Dawson. Also you’ll see some artwork relating to famous entertainers who have a close connection with the area.
  • Fairhaven Lake. Nestled between Lytham and St Annes, you’ll find Fairhaven Lake and Gardens featuring the Spitfire memorial, café, tennis, bowling greens, boats for hire, RSPB Discovery Centre and it is a haven for birdlife, popular with migrating species. Don’t miss the Fairhaven Adventure Golf course (open year round), the adventure playground, the Japanese Garden and much more . There’s plenty of parking. For information about the Friends of Fairhaven Lake group, click here
  • Lytham War Memorial Gardens. Located in the centre of Lytham adjacent to Hastings Place, you’ll find the War Memorial Gardens, beautifully planted and there’s benches for a quiet moment of reflection too.
  • Park View 4U, Lytham. There’s sports pitches, an Eco Pod, sand and water play area, coffee shop, popular adventure playground, popular BMX track. The very popular park is run by a trust established in 2003 and there’s many events throughout the year.

Coast and Conservation Team

You may see  rangers and coastal patrol staff if you spend some time out and about on the beach or in some of the green spaces around Fylde borough. Undertaking regular patrols and protecting wildlife, they are delivering environmental education, a comprehensive programme of guided walks and children’s activities as well as getting people involved in volunteer schemes. They are working hard to look after our wonderful natural environment, so do say hello to them and take the opportunity to find out about their excellent work and the beautiful coast and countryside that we are so very lucky to enjoy.

We have more information about our Ranger Service, how to be a volunteer Ranger and get involved. More information HERE

For more information on Ranger School workshops and other outdoor education opportunities across Fylde please download the Fylde Outdoor Education Pack HERE

ranger fraser

Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee Gardens

In the 1890’s shops were erected on the Crescent in St Anne’s and the St Annes On The Sea Town Council embarked on a scheme that would provide a permanent and fitting memorial to Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. St Anne’s resident Monica Pople has put together some interesting background of the history of these gardens in conjunction with local authors, libraries, heritage groups and historians. For more information click here

Memorial benches

For memorial benches in Fylde, in the first instance, please contact listening@fylde.gov.uk

For benches at Fairhaven Lake and Gardens, please contact fairhavenbookings@fylde.gov.uk 

Memorial bench
allotments fylde

Allotments

There are numerous allotment locations around Fylde and are a great way to grow your own and meet new people too. Allotment locations are:

  • Moss Hall Lane – managed by Fylde Council
  • Mythop Road – managed by the Mythop Road Allotment Association
  • Shepherd Road and Blundell Road – managed by St Annes Town Council
  • Croft Butts Lane and Naze Lane – managed by Freckleton Parish Council
  • Kirkham – managed by Kirkham Town Council
  • Wesham – managed by Medlar with Wesham Parish Council

Please see this link for contact details for the various allotments listed above

brass in the grass