Heysham Beach at Half Moon Bay is a sandy beach with pebbled areas and rock pools surrounded by dramatic cliffs. Located along the tidal sands and mudflats of Morecambe Bay in the North West of England, Heysham Beach is a popular spot for sunbathing, swimming and beachcombing.

Each year, thousands of people flock to the beach during the season to take advantage of opportunities to swim and soak up the sun with the family. Beachcombing is also popular due to the abundance of sea glass that can be found near the water.

Heysham Beach (Half Moon Bay) - one of the highlights of 8 Best Beaches around Blackpool (Read all about Blackpool here)

photo by G Laird (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified

Heysham Beach highlights

Heysham Beach has a half-moon space of soft, flat sand, perfect for families with kids to relax in the sun and enjoy the shallows. The edges have rock pools that reveal vibrant marine life at low tide, so you can feel free to let your kids explore and play in the area.

Beachcombing is one of the most popular activities at Heysham Beach. People often find unique sea glass and shells in the sand. You may also come across ambergris, a valuable substance produced in the digestive system of the sperm whale that’s used in producing perfume.

photo by Craig Sunter (CC BY 2.0) modified

Good to know when visiting Heysham Beach

Though Heysham Beach is a popular place for families, the bay is known to have occasional fast-moving tides and shifting sands. Without lifeguards on duty, it’s important to exercise caution and pay attention to the weather conditions during your visit.

Several archaeological sites are located near Heysham Beach, including the ruins of the 8th-century St Patrick’s chapel. You could also see the remains of a 17th-century farmhouse and the Rock-Cut Graves, a set of body-shaped hollows in the cliffs that were reserved for kings and religious figures. Seafaring equipment, charming seaside cottages and other heritage artefacts dot the coastline.

Heysham Beach (Half Moon Bay)

Location: Heysham LA3 2XY, UK

This article includes opinions of the Go Guides editorial team. Hotels.com compensates authors for their writings appearing on this site; such compensation may include travel and other costs.

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