Lytham to Blackpool and Blackpool to Fleetwood running route guide — beaches, promenades, drinking-water stops, toilets, seaside attractions and everything I discovered along the way.

As part of my challenge to complete the North West Coastal Path over approximately 18 months, I continued my journey along the Lancashire coast, taking on the section between Lytham and Fleetwood.

I split the route into two runs:

• Lytham to Blackpool
• Blackpool to Fleetwood

Together, they offer a fascinating mixture of natural coastline, traditional seaside resorts and increasingly urbanised promenades. Running alongside me, as always, was Austin, my energetic Jack Russell and enthusiastic running companion.

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Lytham to Blackpool

I arrived at Lytham railway station on a warm summer’s day. The weather wasn’t excessively hot, making it ideal running conditions, although the coastal breeze was noticeable.

Lytham immediately provided a welcoming introduction. The town had quite literally put out the bunting, with colourful flags and Union Jacks creating a lively atmosphere.

There was an opportunity to refill my water bottle with fresh drinking water before setting off, although I would later discover that water supplies become increasingly important as the day progresses.

We made our way through Lytham town centre towards the promenade.

Lytham: More Than a Retirement Resort

Lytham has a reputation as a popular retirement destination, but it doesn’t conform to the stereotypical image of a sleepy retirement resort.

The town has a surprisingly cosmopolitan feel, with cafés and restaurants serving quality Italian coffee alongside attractive outdoor seating.

On the day of my run, Lytham Car Show with a Hurricane fly‑past was taking place, while an outdoor performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream was also attracting visitors.

Lytham regularly hosts events, with the Lytham Festival being the largest. The annual music festival has attracted major performers including Rod Stewart and Diana Ross.

For runners, Lytham is also a useful place to stock up on food and drink, with plenty of cafés, shops and places to buy sandwiches.

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Running Lytham Beach

The promenade was extremely busy, so we headed down onto the beach.

The coastline around Lytham is considerably more natural than the developed promenades further north. Grasslands and coastal habitats provide an important environment for wading birds and wildfowl.

This isn’t somewhere I would recommend for swimming, as the shoreline becomes extremely muddy around the water’s edge when the tide is out.

For running, however, it offered something I particularly enjoy: a feeling of escape.

It isn’t a classic golden-sand beach, but it provides a welcome break from the crowds. The promenade is also backed by substantial flood-defence structures designed to protect the coastline during severe weather.

Further along, Stanner Bank provides parking and a shop for drinks and refreshments, as well as a boating lake featuring swan-shaped pedal boats.

We eventually returned to the beach, which became one of my favourite parts of the entire route.

Austin was able to run off the lead, exploring the grasslands and finding water along the way. Driftwood, grasslands and natural coastal features provided plenty of opportunities to explore.

As we approached St Annes, the landscape gradually changed from grassland to golden sand dunes.

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St Annes to Blackpool

St Annes brings a much more traditional seaside atmosphere, with beach huts, crazy golf, cafés, shops and other attractions.

It is also a useful stopping point for anyone running this section of the North West Coastal Path.

There are public toilets, although one facility requires 40 pence, so carrying some change in your running belt is advisable.

More useful was the supply of refrigerated drinking water, which was available free of charge for refilling bottles.

There is also a small pier, amusements, refreshments and plenty of parking.

As the promenade headed inland, we continued through the sand dunes and onto the beach. The tide was well out, leaving a huge expanse of compact sand that was surprisingly good for running.

The beach stretches for miles, although the strong coastal wind could make this section considerably harder during colder or unsettled weather.

There are further public toilets and drinking-water facilities at North Beach.

I also discovered one of the more unexpected aspects of this coastline: an unofficial naturist area. It wasn’t something I had anticipated encountering, but it was another reminder of the unconventional character of Britain’s seaside resorts.

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Starr Gate and Into Blackpool

Eventually, we reached Starr Gate, on the southern edge of Blackpool.

Starr Gate is particularly useful for anyone completing the North West Coastal Path because it is the southernmost tram stop on the Blackpool tram network, with services running north towards Fleetwood.

From here, the landscape becomes increasingly urbanised.

As we approached South Shore, the attractions of Blackpool became increasingly prominent. The Pleasure Beach was busy, the Big Dipper dominated the skyline and Blackpool Tower provided the unmistakable landmark ahead.

Various sculptures and artworks line the route, including a large mirrored ball that was one of my favourites.

I eventually reached Blackpool Tower, marking the end of my Lytham to Blackpool run.

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Blackpool to Fleetwood

The second run began back at Blackpool.

The weather was warm but cloudy, and we returned to the waterfront where the previous run had ended.

From here, the route follows a well-developed promenade towards Fleetwood. If you prefer road or promenade running to uneven trails, this section of the North West Coastal Path is likely to suit you.

Blackpool to Cleveleys

The promenade continues for much of the journey towards Fleetwood, passing wall-like coastal structures, plazas, food stalls and traditional seaside businesses.

Yet something struck me almost immediately: it was surprisingly quiet.

This was a sunny weekend at the beginning of the children’s summer holidays, but many businesses and attractions appeared almost deserted.

It made me reflect on the changing fortunes of Britain’s traditional seaside resorts.

The Hole in the Wall Café was particularly striking. The building appeared almost derelict, with an old kiosk and deteriorating graphics that seemed to belong to another era.

It felt like a snapshot of a British seaside holiday from decades ago that had been left behind rather than preserved.

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Cleveleys and Coastal Regeneration

Approximately one-third of the way into the route, we reached Cleveleys.

The area gave a more positive impression, with evidence of regeneration and improved facilities. There was plenty of parking and a number of places where runners could purchase snacks and refreshments.

By this point, my water bottle had fallen to around two-thirds full. Taking Austin into a café wasn’t practical, so I approached a lifeguard and asked for some water.

He was extremely helpful and topped up my bottle with tap water. Austin also appreciated the dog-water bowl that had been provided.

Further along, various artworks and structures had been installed around the beach and promenade.

However, they also raised a bigger question for me:

How much development is too much when it comes to the British coastline?

Some sections appeared to have undergone significant urbanisation, with natural coastal habitat replaced by promenades and built structures.

I found myself questioning the contradiction between promoting wildlife conservation while simultaneously reducing the natural habitat in which that wildlife would ordinarily exist.

Regeneration can bring clear benefits to coastal communities, but some areas might be more attractive if their natural character were retained.

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A Surprising Visitor Centre

While running with the golf course to my right, I spotted what initially appeared to be part of a demolished building.

As I got closer, I realised it was actually a visitor centre. Rossall Point Observation Tower is a 4 story building with the visitor centre on the Ground Floor.

The architecture was impressive, although from a distance it looked abandoned.

The centre provides drinks, snacks and seaside gifts. I stopped for a much needed toilet stop, costing just 40 pence.

The toilets were clean and well maintained, but I was surprised to notice a dedicated disposal system for hypodermic needles.

Given the wider discussion about addiction and deprivation in parts of the region, seeing such a facility was a sobering reminder that the challenges facing coastal communities can exist beneath the surface of the traditional seaside image.

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The Final Miles to Fleetwood

The final stretch continued along the promenade towards Fleetwood.

The route passes several attractions, including a substantial boating lake, while naturally occurring seaweed became increasingly noticeable as Fleetwood approached.

Fleetwood provides plenty of cafés and shops for runners needing food, drinks or supplies.

And, naturally, Austin found something else to investigate — a statue featuring a dog.

Fleetwood has a very different character from Blackpool. It is a smaller coastal town and ferry port, with a more restrained seaside atmosphere.

We stopped for lunch overlooking the harbour wall before heading into the town.

On the day of our visit, Fleetwood was hosting a carnival, with classic cars and fairground rides creating a lively community atmosphere.

The carnival had temporarily disrupted the tram service, but following the tramlines made it relatively easy to identify the temporary starting point.

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Lytham to Fleetwood: My Verdict

The Lytham to Fleetwood section of the North West Coastal Path is an incredibly varied coastal running experience.

Lytham

A particularly attractive combination of town and natural coastline, with excellent cafés, restaurants and a quieter beach environment.

St Annes

A traditional seaside resort with beach huts, crazy golf, a pier, cafés and useful facilities for runners.

Blackpool

The dramatic urban highlight, with the Pleasure Beach, Big Dipper and Blackpool Tower providing unforgettable landmarks.

Cleveleys

A more regenerated section of coastline, although the contrast between improved infrastructure and relatively low visitor numbers was noticeable.

Fleetwood

A smaller and more traditional coastal town, with its harbour, boating facilities, shops and cafés providing a pleasant endpoint.

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Tips for Running Lytham to Fleetwood

Carry enough water. There are several opportunities to refill, but don’t rely on every facility being available.

Carry some change. At least one public toilet requires 40 pence.

Consider the tide. The beaches can provide excellent running surfaces when the tide is out, but conditions change considerably.

Expect wind. The exposed coastline can be surprisingly windy, even on warm days.

Be prepared for different surfaces. Expect beach, dunes, promenades and urban sections.

Plan your transport. The Blackpool tram network is particularly useful when completing the route in stages.

Use St Annes and Cleveleys for supplies. Both provide useful opportunities to purchase food, drinks and other essentials.

Check local dog restrictions. The quieter beach sections are enjoyable with a dog, but always consider wildlife and other beach users.

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Final Thoughts

The Lytham to Fleetwood section of the North West Coastal Path isn’t simply a run between two seaside towns. It is a journey through several very different versions of the Lancashire coast.

The route begins among the natural grasslands and quieter beaches of Lytham, passes through the traditional seaside environment of St Annes, enters the spectacle of Blackpool and then follows a more urbanised coastline through Cleveleys before reaching Fleetwood.

For me, Lytham to Blackpool was the highlight, particularly because of its combination of natural coastal habitat, dunes, beaches and quieter running.

Blackpool to Fleetwood is a different proposition, better suited to runners who enjoy long stretches of promenade running and easy access to facilities.

It also raises difficult questions about the future of Britain’s seaside resorts, with clear signs of regeneration in some areas but also evidence of economic decline, environmental pressures and changing holiday habits.

Perhaps that’s what makes this section of the North West Coastal Path so interesting.

It isn’t a postcard-perfect coastal route from beginning to end. Instead, it presents the Lancashire coast as it really is: beautiful in places, eccentric in others, heavily developed in parts, occasionally run-down, but always interesting.

And with Austin alongside me, another stage of my 18-month North West Coastal Path running challenge was complete.