About the reserve

What makes Rossall so special?

Sometimes, at low tide you will find the remains of a petrified forest on the beach. It dates back to prehistoric times when sea levels were much lower and the country was covered in trees. The sea is said to have gained 3 yards of land every year dating back as far as 1788 which means a lot of ‘land’ is now submerged. 

There’s also said to be a sunken village off the coast. The flooding is thought to have occurred in the mid-1500s, when the inhabitants of Singleton Thorpe had to flee their homes. It was one of 12 villages destroyed between Carlisle and Southport.

What to do

The beach is backed by a promenade and the Jubilee Gardens all of which have benefitted from a recent large scale renovation project. Whilst traditional activities such as building sand castles, flying kites and promenading are as popular as ever there are now art installations and a new focus on the coast's abundant wildlife.

Along the sea front an artwork trail follows the story of the Sea Swallow, a specially commissioned story book which combines local folklore, myth and the legends around Wyre’s coastline. Look for the Shipwreck Memorial, the Sea Swallow, the Ogres Paddle, the Ogre himself and Mary’s Shell. The Ogre is a huge stone sculpture on the beach, but you can only see him when the tide is out.

Across the road are the Jubilee Gardens with a children’s play area, a multi-use games area and skate park.

Why not go for a walk or cycle along the sea front, or stroll along the promenade and watch one of the stunning sunsets?