Fairhaven Lake Visitor Centre

You’ll find Fairhaven Lake Visitor Centre set against the Inner Promenade (close to the junction with Lake Road) on the edge of the lake itself. The Pagoda building is a stylish, heritage building, dating back to the origins of the lake. Inside is a new visitor facility – the building is sited in the heart of the lake and gardens – a lovely spot with plenty to see and do for all ages. It’s also just a few minutes’ walk from the saltmarsh and sands of the River Ribble where it adjoins the new Fairhaven sea wall. The perfect place to discover the seaside, amazing views and watch the fascinating wildlife which lives here.

After a £25,000 refurbishment, Fairhaven Lake Visitor Centre will reopen in Spring 2026. It will have an exciting new look, following the closure of the RSPB facility in November 2024. The building is owned by Fylde Council, who will take on it’s operation in-house as a visitor centre. The Fairhaven operational team is also relocating to the Pagoda.

The new Fairhaven Lake Visitor Centre

Expect a warm, inviting space where you can get refreshments, pick up information about the lake’s activities and purchase tickets for upcoming events. Choose from a range of high-quality Fairhaven souvenirs. Plus RSPB branded products including garden bird feed. So you’ll still be able to purchase your favourite items. The centre will also retain the park’s interactive timeline, a fantastic educational resource that brings Fairhaven’s rich history to life.

Previously known as the RSPB Ribble Discovery Centre, it reopened on 29 April 2021 as Fairhaven Lake Visitor Centre. Unfortunately, in November 2024 it was announced that the RSPB Fairhaven Lake visitor centre and shop would close. On 30 June 2025 the RSPB run visitor centre, retail facility and education delivery to schools all stopped, although other facilities around the lake remained unaffected by RSPBs departure.

A series of information boards around the centre told the story of Fairhaven’s development from a shingle bank to boating lake. Inside the fully restored building with original vaulted ceiling and heritage features, the interactive timeline will be retained. It’s a fantastic educational resource that brings Fairhaven’s rich history to life.

You’ll see the Visitor Centre in this 2021 video about the Lake –

• If you’ve enjoyed this video, why don’t you subscribe to the Visit Fylde Coast YouTube channel?

A Space for Nature

The Ribble is the most important single river estuary in the UK. It’s a fantastic home for nature and more than a quarter of a million birds visit every year. In fact it’s one of the top estuaries in the UK for birds. Up to 300,000 birds use the estuary as either a winter home or a refuelling stop during their migrations from the Arctic to Africa. There is always plenty to see, especially in autumn and spring.

• More about migratory birds visiting the area
• Much more about Fairhaven Lake

You can really help the birds in a few simple ways to avoid disturbing them:

• Look out for any flocks of birds at high tide and keep a significant distance from them.
• Keep your dog on a lead when you are near high tide bird ‘roosts’ so there is less danger of alarming the birds.
• Keep well away from the water’s edge at any state of the tide because this is the area where the birds will do most of their feeding.
• Don’t fly model aircraft or kites over the saltmarsh.

The Visitor Centre isn’t far from St Annes sand dunes. That natural habitat is also full of wildlife. Why don’t you visit there next?

Opening times at Fairhaven Lake Visitor Centre

The grounds surrounding Fairhaven Lake are open all-hours, pram and wheelchair-friendly, with toilet and cafe facilities.

Opening times for the new Visitor Centre to follow.

• Dogs are allowed anywhere, but please keep them on a lead.
• Find the Visitor Centre at Inner Promenade, Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, FY8 1BD
• Grid ref – SD340273 and What3Words – swells.grounding.abacus

• Contact Fylde Council for more information.

The History of the Pagoda Boat House

You’ll see this blue plaque on the Pagoda Boat House when you visit.

Fairhaven Lake dates back to 1895, formed by sealing off the ‘Double Stanner’, trapping sea water in the enclosed area. It was enlarged in 1901 because it was thought to be too shallow, and at the same time the Pagoda Boat House was built.

Built in 1901 in the Japanese style by the Fairhaven Estate Co when boating became popular on their new Marine Lake. It included a workshop and accommodation for the boatman. The architect was H&W Wade of St Annes. The builder James Shepherd & Sons, also of St Annes.

From 1906, a portion of the lake was even used as an open air swimming pool. Complete with diving boards, slide and changing huts!