A Relaxed Seaside Escape with Teddy Swims at Lytham Festival

Sometimes the shortest trips leave the biggest impression.

This visit to Lytham was all about music and formed part of a Christmas present to see Teddy Swims perform at Lytham Festival. With the concert taking place on Lytham Green, it made perfect sense to stay in the town itself and turn the event into a little seaside getaway.

Although we were only visiting for one night, Lytham immediately felt different from many of the seaside towns nearby.

Quieter than Blackpool and more relaxed than neighbouring St Anne’s, Lytham has an elegance that’s hard to ignore. Wide green spaces overlook the estuary, the historic windmill stands proudly on Lytham Green and the beautiful Victorian houses make you slow down and appreciate your surroundings.

This wasn’t a sightseeing holiday. It was very much a concert, an overnight stay and then home the following morning. Yet even in just 24 hours, Lytham left me wanting to return and discover much more of what this charming seaside town has to offer.

Where I Stayed

Seagull View Apartment

For this trip we stayed at Seagull View Apartment, and the first thing that surprised me was just how spacious it was.

From the small private entrance on the ground floor, stairs lead up to a fully equipped apartment consisting of a modern kitchen, comfortable lounge, large double bedroom and generous bathroom with shower and WC.

The décor was simple, modern and inspired by the seaside, with light colours and beach-style touches throughout. It created a calm and welcoming atmosphere from the moment we arrived, and after unpacking it quickly felt like home.

Although the apartment isn’t located in the centre of Lytham, it’s in a great position. Lytham Green is around 3 km away and only a short taxi ride, while the beach itself is less than a five-minute walk from the apartment. There are also regular bus services nearby offering easy access into Lytham town centre, St Anne’s and Blackpool, making it a convenient base for exploring the Fylde Coast.

The only slight downside during our stay was hearing dogs barking from downstairs. As we weren’t sure whether they belonged to the owners or another guest, it’s impossible to know whether this is something future visitors would experience, but it did interrupt the otherwise peaceful atmosphere.

Overall, I really liked the apartment itself and couldn’t fault its size, facilities or location. Sadly, the persistent barking from the dogs downstairs took away from what should have been a peaceful stay. As I can’t say whether this was a one-off or a regular occurrence, I can only review my own experience, and unfortunately it would stop me from booking this property again

Exploring Lytham

With only 24 hours to spend here, there wasn’t enough time to properly explore everything Lytham has to offer, but sometimes that’s enough to know you’ll be coming back.

Walking through the town, it’s easy to see why so many people love it. Independent cafés, boutique shops and beautifully maintained streets give Lytham a relaxed atmosphere that feels worlds away from the bright lights of Blackpool.

Lytham Green stretches along the waterfront and is undoubtedly the heart of the town. Sitting proudly on the Green is the iconic Lytham Windmill, one of Lancashire’s most photographed landmarks and a reminder of the town’s rich history.

Even on a short visit, I found myself slowing down and appreciating the quieter pace of life. It felt like the sort of place where people come to unwind rather than rush from one attraction to the next.

Food & Drink

As we stayed in a self-catering apartment, we prepared most of our meals ourselves during this trip.

The only food we bought was while attending Lytham Festival, where we came across PB Lytham (Phil’s Bakery).

Operating from one of their distinctive gold festival vans, they offered a fantastic selection of freshly made sandwiches, pies, pastries, cakes and excellent coffee.

I opted for a latte and a gingerbread treat, both of which were excellent. What stood out most, though, was the service. Despite serving a constant stream of festival-goers, every member of staff still had time for a smile and a friendly chat.

PB Lytham also has a permanent bakery in the town itself, and it’s already on my list to visit properly next time I’m back.

Lytham Festival

The main reason for this trip was, of course, Lytham Festival.

Held each summer on Lytham Green, it’s one of the UK’s most relaxed music festivals and feels very different from many of the larger events I’ve attended.

With one main stage overlooking the coast, there’s no rushing between different arenas or trying to choose between acts. Instead, everyone gathers together to enjoy the music, creating a really friendly atmosphere that’s perfect for families, couples and groups of friends alike.

This year we were there to see Teddy Swims, and despite the weather trying its best to spoil proceedings, it turned into a brilliant evening.

After weeks of sunshine across the UK, this happened to be the first festival where I’d experienced proper rain. Standing on the seafront with strong winds wasn’t ideal, but thankfully we’d packed waterproof jackets and even managed to sneak umbrellas into our bags.

The rain only really arrived during the final hour and certainly didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits. Thousands of people stayed put, singing every word alongside Teddy Swims until the very end.

Lytham Festival takes place over five consecutive days every summer and regularly attracts an impressive line-up of international artists. If you’re looking for a festival that’s a little more relaxed, beautifully located and suitable for all ages, I’d definitely recommend adding it to your list.

Final Thoughts

Would I return to Lytham?

Without hesitation.

Although this visit was centred around the festival, it gave me just enough time to realise how much more there is to discover.

Lytham has a completely different feel from many traditional seaside towns. Rather than arcades and amusement rides, you’ll find elegant houses, independent businesses, peaceful green spaces and a coastline that encourages you to slow down and simply enjoy where you are.

Walking past some of the stunning homes overlooking Lytham Green, I couldn’t help thinking, “I’d love to live somewhere like this one day.”

Next time, I’d definitely stay longer. I’d spend more time exploring the town, visit PB Lytham’s bakery, enjoy a few more cafés and make the most of everything this beautiful part of Lancashire has to offer.

Sometimes all it takes is 24 hours to know you’ll be back.