Bare to Heysham Walk

Go Naked to the Grave !

Bare to Heysham along Morecambe  Prom. 5.5 Miles

Walkers :- Harry Paddy, Vic, Martin, Anthony, Mike John R, John W. 

With the rain hammering down on the conservatory roof and pools of water growing by the minute todays "steamed" (esteemed surely ? No !) leader had grave doubts about the wisdom of a walk along the windswept Lancashire coast. The BBC however assured us that the day would improve. As we gathered for the day  this forecast was confirmed by Harry an even more reliable and authoritative  source of weather information. Sure enough as we decamped near Bare and set off along the promenade the rain ceased and blue patches appeared amongst the clouds.

As we headed towards our destination we could not of course pass by without paying homage to "ERIC" and we turned aside to have the usual souvenir shots taken.

The sky was now blue and the rain merely a memory but we were under constant challenge from a fierce, cold wind sweeping in across the grey white-tipped waves of the bay. After a short stop to discuss the whereabouts of the old "Lido" we soon arrived at the "Stone Jetty" Here we stopped for our "coffee" and Martin's welcome "Libation"   Public toilets were at a premium but our ever resourceful "Meanderthals" each solved the problem in their own way.

As we quenched our thirsts we spent some time investigating the various "elements" of the Jetty and admired the exterior of the "Midland Hotel" which is a "Art Deco" masterpiece visited by enthusiast from all over the country and even beyond our borders. Paddy, ever the "Sophisticate", informed us that he had "Taken Tea" there on a number of occasions

Martin's Huntsman's hot stuff was even more appreciated on this walk as some of us were being chilled by the constant strong wind

As we had our coffee we were entertained by some lunatic purporting to be the the famous (infamous) Scot "Jimmy"  "

See Yu !"




The wind continued to filch its' way through our garments as we strode onwards towards Heysham Head which we could now see in the distance. Paddy the "PHARMACIST" left us briefly to visit a "PHARMACY" where he sought "Ibuprofen" tablets. A little further along the prom a head suddenly popped up from behind a low wall. It was Harry who with Anthony had discovered a well sheltered spot for us to huddle down with our butties.

Comestibles comested (???) we began the final part of our walk. Ahead of us Anthony pointed out the Ancient parish church temporarily wrapped in white tarpaulins as workmen repaired the roof. The promenade ended and a short flight of stone steps led us up into the under appreciated delightful quaintness of Heysham village.

The Church was unavailable to us so we quickly made our way to the ruins of St Patrick's Chapel and the stone cut graves. An information board informed us that the site was founded in the 8th Century but the this 

meant that the connection with St Patrick was hardly possible. Here we met two ladies who informed us they were members of a society that worked to preserve significant historical buildings and sites. They were also "Birders" and had spotted 59 (69 ?) different feathered friends during the last two days. After climbing to view the magnificent prospect of the Nuclear power station which, of course, enhanced the beauty of the maritime vista. So much so that we all felt a warm glow !!!
Returning from the hillside we visited the old walled garden  (some garden)  Once again Harry was a mine of information and told us about Rose Gardens, Parrots and Bears which once populated this area. Pierrots were mentioned too.  As children we would have found this such an exciting place to explore and still as children- we did !!

Out of the garden and through the pretty main street of Heysham 'till Vic urged us to get to the bus stop as a bus might be imminent (16.40 he told us). He was right and a few minutes later we were trundling back towards Bare. 

Got it wrong again we departed the 'bus too soon. Climbing into our cars we set off home BUT not all of us. Toilets beckoned and so one car pulled into a car park across the railway and had hot drinks in a seaside cafe. The facilities were used. Home............

A straightforward well known walk but still worth doing.