Sittin’ on the dock of the bay
JAMES PEARCE uses his little grey cells to detect a certain Belgian detective has been to Morecambe
YOU’VE seen it on TV, although you may not realise it. The Midland Hotel is the jewel of Morecambe Bay’s seafront. The Grade II listed building with its art deco design is striking. It’s been the focal point of the promenade in the Lancashire town since the 1930s.
Walking into the four-star hotel for a weekend getaway with the family was like stepping back in time.
Once a favourite haunt for the likes of Coco Chanel, Sir Laurence Olivier and Noel Coward, the place oozes history.
No wonder it was used as a setting for Agatha Christie’s Poirot.
The Rotunda Bar close to the reception area offers idyllic views of the bay and the winding grand staircase leads up to boutique-style rooms.
The Midland was returned to its former glory by a £7 million restoration which saw the hotel reopen in 2008 – a decade after shutting its doors.
There are 44 rooms and we had the luxurious top floor suite with a large balcony overlooking the sea. It was perfect for a family of four.
Attractions nearby include Williamson Park, Bowland Wild Boar Park, the Lake District and Blackpool Pleasure Beach, but the kids wanted to stick around and explore the beach below.
A walk along the promenade is the Eric Morecambe statue. Created by Graham Ibbeson, it’s a fitting tribute to one of the town’s most famous sons.
Having worked up an appetite, we returned to experience what the Midland is truly renowned for – its contemporary cuisine.
The award-winning Sun Terrace restaurant offers a selection of locally sourced dishes in a relaxed environment and provides panoramic views across the bay. Starters cost from £6.50, mains from £16.50 and desserts from £6.
As well as being packed by residents, it was clear that the restaurant attracts visitors from far and wide and it was
soon clear why.
Frank Benson’s warm Morecambe Bay shrimps, served with brioche, lemon and dill, didn’t disappoint. That was followed by an exquisite roast rump of lamb in a rosemary sauce with crushed Jerseys and broccoli purée.
I declared at that point but the feedback on the sticky toffee pudding and the treacle tart was also glowing.
The Midland Spa offers a range of luxury treatments to help guests unwind, while you can also make use of the Sandpiper Health Club at sister hotel Lancaster House.
And that’s where we headed the next day as the rain lashed down, pretty much ruling out any outdoor pursuits. It’s a 25-minute drive away but the kids – aged six and 10 – absolutely loved it.
The pool at Lancaster House was packed with floats and inflatables aplenty and provided a few hours of great fun. The outdoor hot tub was a particular favourite.
From there, we headed into Lancaster itself and a hearty meal at Marco’s Italian restaurant ensured that the smiles on faces remained.
Our final evening was spent relaxing in the Rotunda Bar back at the Midland.
Morecambe may not be an obvious choice for a weekend away. The town itself has certainly seen better days, but the Midland is rightly thriving.