THE BRITISH GOLF OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP 2012

ROYAL LYTHAM & ST ANNES 19^th to 22^nd July 2012 

The 141^st British Golf Open Championship takes place at Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club, 19^th – 22^nd July 2012 so why not afford sometime exploring the surrounding areas. 

Blackpool has a huge variety of hotels, guest houses, bed and breakfasts and apartments. From a comfortable budget 1 star hotel, right through to stunning 5 star properties for an extra special treat! As Blackpool is only a few miles from Lytham you can either drive or take public transport from one resort to the other. Blackpool has bus, train (only from Blackpool South Station) and coach service links to Lytham, many running hourly so commuting is easy and very affordable.

Blackpool 

Blackpool is the premier destination town on the Fylde Coast, the UK’s favourite beach resort and holiday destination of choice since Victorian times, home to the World Famous Blackpool Tower with it’s opulent, world-class ballroom.  The town has an entertainment history to rival the best in the world: Pleasure Beach Resort and Nickelodeon Land, Sandcastle Waterpark, Madame Tussaud’s, Blackpool Dungeon, Sealife Centre and in contrast the gentler aura of the Winter Gardens, to name but a few. 

It has a newly designed promenade with grassy knolls and huge headland areas to be utilised for many different and special events. The new sea defence wall has Spanish style steps running from South to North Piers making the beach more accessible for all. The town’s outside café culture happens at St John’s Square, a large central plaza with water fountains and space for specialist markets and other big, important civic events and Birley Street, just round the corner, also home to “Brilliance,” a music to lights feature . Blackpool offers a wide variety of shopping and eating establishments to cater for every palette with enviable nightlife from theatre and cabaret to bars and clubs accommodating all ages and tastes.  Hosting some of the world’s most impressive Victoria architecture and many hidden treasures in and around the Blackpool area waiting to be discovered - Blackpool has it all!  

Cleveleys

Cleveleys is a small seaside town that sits North between Blackpool and Fleetwood, ideal for a family day out. The modern promenade has been completely rebuilt and after winning many awards for its user friendly design is now fondly known as The People’s Promenade. The Spanish style steps allow access to the beach with ramps for wheel chairs and prams and the two tier lower level allows for the inclusion of a “bench” which runs the full length and is supplemented by cast picnic tables and chairs so you’ll always find somewhere to sit. Cleveleys also boasts the latest in designs with their brand new, seafront, ice skating arena and shopping couldn’t be easier with one long high street offering a wealth of shops, restaurants and pavement cafes.

Fleetwood

Fleetwood is a sleepy, Victorian, easy-paced seaside town boasting the art deco Marine Hall which hosts a full programme of shows throughout the year, set in sculptured gardens on the water front. Learn about the town’s heritage as a famous port at the museum and shop till you drop at the traditional Fleetwood Market founded in 1840, or for bargain hunters don’t miss Freeport Outlet Village, which has been cunningly designed to enhance one of the old docks.

Getting Around

The easiest way to see all these places is to jump on one of our new trams. They will be operating from April 2012 and will run from Starr Gate, just south of the Pleasure Beach, to Fleetwood taking in all the wonderful coastal scenery. There is also a regular bus service from Lytham to Fleetwood.  You’ll also get to see the Illuminations being erected ready for the Switch-On Ceremony, always held the first weekend in September.

Lytham

Lytham is a traditional coastal village steeped in tradition with a landmark windmill situated on the green and now the Tourist Information Centre.  There’s the playhouse Lowther Pavilion located within Lowther Gardens; these idyllic grounds are a place where all ages can find peace and tranquillity. Shopping is a must in the tree lined streets with many designer boutiques and an eclectic mix of places to eat and drink from stylish cocktail bars to traditional pubs.

In 2007 Lytham was voted third best town in the world to live with a population under 20,000.

St Annes

St Annes is a “Classic Resort,” a typical old fashioned holiday town but with a modern twist.  It has an unspoilt beach with the back drop of the sand dunes and is home to a traditionally restored Victorian Pier. For shopping head to the Crescent and Wood Street is where you’ll find lots of places to eat and drink to suit any budget.