This old villages dates back to the 16/1700’s. It’s in a prime spot midway between the bustling towns of St Annes and Lytham. Come and take a look around Ansdell.
In 2019, Visit Fylde Coast contributor Sue Massey began this page. Sue is based in the borough of Fylde and kindly provided the summer photos and some information on this page.
In January 2021, just as the country entered the third lockdown because of the Covid-19 pandemic, we went for a walk to make you this video. What a lovely village it is – come and take a look –
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Look Around Ansdell
It’s a short stroll inland from the beautiful Fairhaven Lake, with its many family friendly activities, the RSPB Discovery Centre, and Granny’s Bay.
The Fairhaven United Reformed Church (opened in 1912) is a well known building here. Known locally as The White Church, it’s an impressive and distinctive landmark, close to Granny’s Bay.
Ansdell has a genteel, leisurely feel about it as locals and holidaymakers explore its hidden gems. Antique hunters are well catered for. Those wanting a bit of glamour will find hair and beauty salons galore.
- Searching for a tasteful gift?
- On the hunt for a bargain?
- Looking for a bridal outfit?
- Need a new carpet?
- Fancy bespoke soft furnishings?
Ansdell has it All!
Tourists and locals won’t be disappointed. Ansdell has it all, including a library, post office, well-stocked Co-op, butchers and bakers.
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Places to Eat and Drink
Once you’ve found what you’re looking for, the popular Blackbird Café offers a comfortable rest over a cuppa and delicious home-made treats.
With cafes, chip shop, Chinese restaurant, and hostelries at both ends of Ansdell (the newly refurbished The Fairhaven, and The Blossoms), there’s plenty of choice for eating-in or taking-away. And it’s all on Woodlands Road.
Getting to Ansdell
Ansdell & Fairhaven Railway Station is also on Woodlands Road.
It’s a pretty journey by train from Preston to Blackpool South, crisscrossing fields of cattle, sheep, and arable crops. Trains stop at Kirkham & Wesham, Moss Side, Lytham, Ansdell & Fairhaven, Blackpool Pleasure Beach, and Blackpool South.
Ansdell Railway Station opened in 1873. Because it passed behind Richard Ansdell’s house it was also known as Ansdell’s Gate and Ansdell’s Halt. Originally it had its own signal box, a tiny booking office and a small house for the station master, complete with Gothic windows.
Today it’s an immaculate local station, well looked after and loved by the Friends of St Annes Stations – you can find them on Facebook.
Travelling by Road
It’s always a fun journey to see who’s first to spot The Blackpool Tower!
Arriving by car you’ll find on-street parking close to the shops, and a little further afield.
Why not leave the car and take the bus? Blackpool Transport has bus stops convenient for visitors to Ansdell.
Did you know? Back in the day a tram service from Blackpool continued its journey to St Annes, Ansdell, and Lytham.
The preserved tram stop outside The Fairhaven is a reminder of bygone days.
Blooming Lovely
The town is bright and colourful during the summer months thanks to the dedicated volunteers of Ansdell in Bloom. The floral displays at the railway station and along Woodlands Road is attractive and welcoming to all who pass by.
Do visit Ansdell, and while you’re here why not take a leisurely stroll to Fairhaven Lake and Granny’s Bay, and perhaps visit The White Church. You’ll have a lovely day out.
Why is it called Ansdell?
Liverpool artist Richard Ansdell was living in London, when in 1849 he was commissioned to paint for Squire Thomas Clifton. Afterwards he found that he missed the area so much, that he called his London home ‘Lytham House’.
In 1860 he leased a plot of land from the Clifton Estate to build a summer house which he called ‘Starr Hills’. The area was so empty back then that it became known as Ansdells. He sold Starr Hills in 1873, but the area kept his name.
Starr Hills was used in the war effort in both World Wars 1 and 2. In WWI it was a Voluntary Aid Detachment Hospital and in WWII the Lytham St Annes Central Hospital Supply Depot. Later, it opened in June 1958 by Methodist Homes for the Aged.
The Lytham St Annes Art Collection began with the presentation of a Richard Ansdell painting to St Annes Town Council. In 1925 John Booth gave the painting, titled “The Herd Lassie”, intending it to be the start of a collection. John Booth was son of EH Booth, who founded the supermarket chain Booths.
While you’re here…
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I lived in Ansdell till I got married in 1977 and attended Ansdell County Primary School under the auspices of Lottie Miles ( Head Mistress) and the well loved Mrs.Barclay. The train line was double tracked in those days with two London trains a day from Blackpool Central and regular commuter services to Manchester. There were many excursion trains passing through in the summer . Spent much of my early years at Ansdell Institute and Social Club (which at one time had a bowling green.) playing snooker. Granny’s Bay was a regular haunt for me and my mates fishing and setting night lines and of course in the 60s ships passed by on their way to Preston Docks. My grandparents and parents told me that the White Church had to be blacked out during WWII as the German Luftwaffe used it as a circling marker when bombing raids on Liverpool. I call back on occasions and the front at Granny’s Bay is lovely now. Shops have changed naturally but we always had a Post Office,bakers,butchers and grocers and the Library was built on the site of the old Tin Tab where we had Sunday Schools and dances with regular beat groups like Bruce and the Spiders.
Great memories!👍 FB
Having known Ansdell as a child whose relatives were lucky enough to live there looking at it now it looks just the same welcoming and always sunny
I really enjoyed the visit to
Ansdell having been a resident during my younger life but now living in the London area for 40 years nearly. I never knew the origin of the name until now!
Things have changed a bit — the station used to have an upstairs ticket office and landing and the Co-op was a Booths but it was good to see that many of the shops are still open albeit they have of course changed hands. I used to cycle up through Ansdell daily on my way to school so it was good to relive old memories. Thank you. Gareth
Thanks Gareth, glad you enjoyed it!
Love the whole area. Only spent an afternoon in Ansdell in 2020 but intend to re visit. Clean, open and fresh. Am seriously considering upping sticks and moving to the area. Can’t wait for better days for my next visit.