The New-Look Granny’s Bay

It’s official name is Stanner Bank. But Granny’s Bay is the name that this popular bit of seafront and beach usually goes by.

It’s the cove-like area, near to the White Church at Fairhaven. In summer 2020 it reopened after a multi-million pound rebuild of the sea wall.

Where is Granny’s Bay?

Not too familiar with this lovely spot? The easiest way to find it is where Ansdell Road South turns a corner to become Inner Promenade. It’s at the right hand side of the map below.

The main crossroads at the A584 (Clifton Drive) and Ansdell Road South is where you’ll see the huge, landmark White Church.

The bay and sea beyond open out in front of you with a big, wide view of the horizon. You can even see the Southport coastline beyond the water where the River Ribble meets the Irish Sea.

Take a Look at Granny’s Bay

Take advantage of free seafront parking to enjoy the amazing view – and of course the spectacular sunsets.

We went for a look on a hot, but slightly overcast day in August 2020. Take a look in our video –

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It’s a lovely, small sheltered cove against the promenade. A golden quartz footpath tops off the new pre-cast concrete stepped revetments. Safety bannisters provide even easier access to the beach.

It’s the same style as the sea defences at nearby Blackpool and Cleveleys seafronts. They’ve stood the test of time really well, holding onto their good looks long after completion.

Pack a picnic, build sandcastles, watch the wildlife or go for a walk. Whatever you choose to do here, it’s a lovely spot in which to do it!

There’s free on-street parking along the whole length of Inner Promenade, and at Granny’s Bay. So on an inclement day you could just park up with a hot drink and enjoy the view from the shelter of your car.

If you prefer, you can head a little further north to the seafront pay and display car park at Stanner Bank, adjacent to Fairhaven Lake. In the next photo, Granny’s Bay is to the left and Fairhaven Lake the right.

Why Granny’s Bay?

As we said, the official name for it is Stanner Bank. The name ‘Granny’s Bay’ comes from Lady Clifton of Lytham Hall. She often brought her grandchildren here to play, many years ago.

Strengthening Granny’s Bay

A major sea defence scheme in Fylde completed in 2020.

New sea walls have also been built at Church Scar headland to the south and around Fairhaven Lake in the north.

Granny’s Bay opened to the public on 5 June 2020. The final section at Fairhaven Lake opened a few weeks later, in summer 2020.

Granny’s Bay is part of the Fylde Sea Defence Project. The Environment Agency had already awarded grant funding for the works at Church Scar and Fairhaven. This work had been carried out quickly and efficiently.

The savings from the first phase, along with an extra grant of £2m, meant that Granny’s Bay could be rebuilt while contractors VBA were still on site. The additional £2m of funding from the Environment Agency brings the total spend to £21,825,000.

This extra work connects the headlands. It will protect more than 2,400 residential properties against coastal erosion and flooding for the next 100 years. Now finished the works create a natural looking, high quality public realm that blends into the beautiful coastline.

This is what the sea defence at Granny’s Bay looked like before work began.

Works at Granny’s Bay

Work began at Granny’s Bay in July 2019.

We arrived at the site just as the contractors had put the fence in place. Public access to the seafront was removed between Monday 15 July 2019 and 5 June 2020.

The entrance at Stannah Bank car park became a site compound for the works.

The new Rossall sea wall at Fleetwood was also completed in recent years, and built in the same way. Interested in the engineering? There’s much more here.

Fit for the Next Century

Councillor Thomas Threlfall is the appointed representative for the Fairhaven and Church Scar Sea Defence project board. He said: “We are excited to be able to provide a seaside resort in Fylde fit for the next century. A lot of work has gone into completing the sea defence upgrade as one project. I would like to personally thank the project team, VBA and the Environment Agency. They continue to work successfully together to deliver the project.”

The Old, Failing Defences

The Sea Defence Project replaces the previous sea defence walls. Built way back in the 1890s, the old defences have served their time!

Would those Victorian engineers have expected their work to last for more than 100 years? They have done, but nonetheless, lots of emergency repairs have been made. Each year, costly maintenance work has been needed. Otherwise, the time expired sea walls could have had a major breach.

The work provides new coast protection as well as an upgrade to the promenades to help protect from coastal erosion and make sure the area is both a great place to live and visit.

Storm Ellen swept through the UK, soon after the video of Granny’s Bay was filmed. We went out to film those enormous waves. The next video is at Cleveleys, but the principle is exactly the same. Take a look!

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