(click here to see an Ordnance Survey map of the area)

Areas of sand dunes are thinly distributed along the Fylde coast from Lytham in the south to the outskirts of Fleetwood in the north. There has been a drastic and tragic loss of these dunes in the past 150 years due to the expansion of Blackpool and the building of St. Annes. The Blackpool to Lytham dunes are estimated to have covered 505 hectares in 1839 compared with about 80 today. The remaining dune areas are fragmented and likely to be damaged by leisure activities, small scale piecemeal developments and lack of appropriate management.

These coastal sand dunes are considered as "priority habitats" under the EC Habitats Directive and are also designated as "priority habitat" under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan.

(Text extracted from the Lancashire County Council Biodiversity Action Plan.)

As well as being an important part of the Fylde's heritage, these dunes are the only form of defence against sea flooding along this particular stretch of coast.

This SSSI, which has an area of 25 hectares and includes the St. Annes Local Nature Reserve, is the largest intact sand dune system in Lancashire and it adjoins additional stretches of sand dunes that are part of the Lytham Foreshore SSSI. These areas support a wide range of flora and fauna which need to be protected from development, fragmentation, mineral extraction, excessive recreational use and any inappropriate use if they are to survive.

The management of the dunes is the joint responsibility of Fylde Borough Council and Blackpool Borough Council who are currently working together to produce a Management Plan.

Defend The Dunes has consulted widely with experts on coastal management and has produced its own Coastal Management Plan which highlights several measures which need to be implemented immediately.

The Lytham St. Annes Nature Reserve is an important site, rich in wildlife. It was once part of a much more extensive dune system along the coast, and is the best remaining example of a sand dune habitat in the County.

Established in 1968, the reserve is now robust enough to accept visitors, and a small visitor centre was added in 1993 following designation of the area as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

There is no charge for admission, and a warden attends the site regularly. Local bus services between Blackpool and Lytham stop at the visitor centre.

A casual visit may take an hour but specialist interest visits may require longer. Party visits (10-15) may be made by appointment, and illustrated guide books are available, for a small charge, from the Tourism & Leisure Department, Fylde Borough Council, 292 Clifton Drive South, Lytham St. Annes FY8 1LH, telephone 01253 724141, and at the Visitor Centre.

For more information on the guided walks please contact the Tourism Information Centre, 290 Clifton Drive South, St Annes, telephone 01253 725610, or the Nature Reserve Warden at the Visitor Centre.