I've watched your channel James pretty much from its beginning and have enjoyed watching it grow, and while your videos have never failed to entertain me, may I just say that it's plain to see how your filming and editing skills have both blossomed. The opening of this video, with the haunting melancholic tones of Morrissey would have graced any mainstream TV programme and you should be rightly proud of it.
Wonderful opening cinematography, James, and the legend that is Morrissey adds to the feeling of loss and decay (coming from Wallasey I can appreciate it). Plus we get young Helen to cheer us up after a minute or two. Keep up the great work!
James that intro without doubt the best intro I’ve seen in 6 years well done mate. How gorgeous is Helen and you both just bounce of each other …. Never change both of you I’ve been there from day 1 qualityxx
The best days in all these types of Seaside Towns / places are long long gone, I often wonder IF it was possible to bring back the dead what they would think 🤔 It's such a shame how Britain now looks, and it's crystal clear where it's heading. Thanks again fella.
Exactly I’m glad you see the truth not like these idiots on TH-cam saying how great city’s are their absolutely blind to the truth how can people be so stupid
Great vlog. Loved the Morrissey playing over the opening titles. I totally agree with you regarding the gentrification of seaside towns ( I'm a Scarborian). Keep up the good work 👏👏
Sadly Morecambe, in my opinion, has suffered the same fate as many seaside towns up and down the country.....lack of investment and forward planning by property owners and numerous bad planning decisions by council leaders over the years. The same people who quite happily took their bags of silver when times were good.
I think the plans for the Eden Project in Morecambe actually look like they could be really good. As for the small shops, yes it's a bit sad that they'll have to move premises, but I suspect they'll have more custom once more people start coming to Morecambe and there's higher footfall in general. Also....great intro 👌
You’re right about rich second home owners buying up the houses and the locals suffering but…… it was the locals in the first place that sold out cos someone dangled a big fat cheque book in front of them . They can’t really complain that these places are ghost towns in the winter when it was them that’s the root of the problem!!!. Sadly money talks …. Great vlog you two!
No rich person is buying second homes in Morecambe. Trust me, I live there and nobody in their right mind would buy a holiday home. It's full of drug addicts and nonces.
your 💯 % right, look at the moaners in Cornwall, they need to look at their own who chose to stuff their bank accounts and then found they'd have to pay double to get another local home ..rich Londoners are the ones that won there !
Morecambe is horrible there is no night clubs no good bars no nightlife at all zero infact its all run down,there is no peirs ,no theme park no nothing, the place is a tip ,nothing to do whatsoever even blackpool has things to do bars ckubs ,peirs attractions etc ,and Blackpool is a dump aswell but at least there is stuff to do,the eden project north will be tiny lol if there putting it on the plot of waste land where the seasonal fair is placed you can walk through the eden project plot it in 3 min the plot is no bigger than a carpark lol and who cares about 3 shitty small greenhouses with booody plants in
In peak season Morecambe is busy and buzzing, of course it looks dead in winter, in a storm 🙄 If you're not made of money, Morecambe is affordable, and in this cost of living crisis that's got to be welcome for less well off families ❤
Sad really Morecambe ....I went there as a kid in the 1960s and it wasn't that good then.... all I can remember about it was a Large pirate ship on the front promanade which kids loved .... but even then, you compared it to Blackpool which in that era was fantastic (not anymore)
Eden Project Morecambe has been awarded £50m from Government’s Levelling Up Fund to help pay towards the 100m pounds that the Eden Project will cost to build. and three huge bio spheres dropped on the prom is going to look so out of place. surely there are better things to spend that huge amount of tax payers money on around Morecombe
Heysham, Morecambe, Lancaster like many other Towns and City's are struggling with the economic down turn after COVID. They are all nice in their own way and feel better in the warmer weather. Glad the footage came out, considering the wind and pending storm. I agree the Eden Project will encourage more tourism but unfortunately and likely to the detriment of local businesses. James, nice to see you and Helen in my neck of the woods and I hope to see more of you in the area perhaps in the summer months. 😎👍
Enjoy your honesty, unfortunately normal people say there not bothered with politics, but it affects every single person and every aspect of life. Ie morecambe small businesses etc such a shame. Dave
It isn't just you,no, my whole family and friends feel the same,but don't dread it.we have to deal with and conquer and overcome things that will happen that we don't agree with or accept.
Please try going to Italy when you have the budget.its no dearer than Spain and Italian people are a experience in themselves especially Naples and Palermo. For a truly ecsquite experience though with beautiful food and drink Go to the Italian riviera
When I was a road cyclist around 12 years ago , I used to set off from Grange Over Sands and Morecambe Bay always used to be my first stop of the day ,,and I can’t ever recall a time there wasn’t a gale force wind on that sea front at Morecambe ,,it’s sad to see it in deep decline but the whole country’s heading that way at a astonishing rate.
Ive been a silent watcher for a while, but had to comment about the seagulls and the music you put with them.. absolutely brilliant, made me laugh out loud … 😂
Visited just over a week ago from NZ🇳🇿Did the bracing walk along the prom and also the carvery.Had a great couple of days.Very fond memories of Morecambe and Heysham,enjoyed a couple 🍻in the old railway station.Midland was looking a bit tired even after the recent makeover.Would love to see the town get back on its feet.Get back to Lancaster,had a great day sightseeing too.
Getting bloody arty 😂, what a fantastic opening , at least Helen was standing next to a slippery surface sign , I got Jean standing next to a “ no dogs on the beach “ obviously went on Facebook 😂great video
Need to find some easide towns that are turning this decline around and how they are doing it. Coastal towns and cities in the UK. Historically, many coastal towns in the UK relied heavily on industries such as fishing, shipping, and manufacturing, which have experienced decline in recent decades. This economic shift may have contributed to the decline of these areas. The shift in holidays in the sun over decades has a massive impacct , its so sad to see all this decline everywphere. Luckily we have you to loveley people who can brighten up the dullest of days wherever you are.❤❤❤❤
Hi James and Helen, only recently subscribed to your channel and loving the content, trips and travels. Crazy really I have been to the majority of the places you have been. I am hooked on north wales, south wales at the moment. Llandudno, Conwy north tenby saundersfoot south. Llandudno has Victorian charm, the great orme tram to the top with the cable car down. Won’t go on and on but I’m pretty sure the best place to park the van would be the car park past the grand hotel overlooking the pier, Irish Sea. Keep up the brilliant content Shaun +Pammy
Hi Both of you, love your vlogs, back in the early 80's I used to work on Heysham Power Station once every six months. I used to stay in the Famous Midland Hotel and it was fantastic. The town was buzzing, full of contractors working on the Power Station so there was plenty of money about. You couldn't go in a pub without hearing the song The Crystal Chandelier being blasted out. Happy memories of my youth. Thank you.
Another fabulous video from yourself & Helen. Used to go Morecambe years ago, you’ve brought back so many lovely childhood memories. Luckily the buildings on the front are still the same
James...its all just too sad what is happening in the north of England...I lived in Hebden Bridge in Yorkshire and it became "bought up" by southerners who could sell a house down south and afford to but 3 in my town with the proceeds..then they live in one and air b&B or rent out the other two. You would be hard pressed to hear a northern accent in that part of Yorkshire now...very sad...
Loved the opening of this video, you've out done yourself with this one James. Keep doing what you're doing, you're an amazing work in progress. Sad to see these cities losing their small businesses and I think a lot of people would agree, it's such a shame. I've been in the desert traveling around for 16 days now in the van, I love it. It was an awesome full moon rise over the mountain range tonight. So glad I am doing this kind of life, it suits me.
If you’d gone along the seafront in the other direction there is a lovely little park/gardens with a nice cafe of season, too busy on season. We go there as my husband’s mums boyfriend is in a care home near it. I love seaside resorts off season. I just want the sea and a quiet cafe.
Opening sequence fab. I was there in my Motorhome a couple of years ago and there were hundreds of Vans and Motorhomes right the whole length of the beach. Many many people about.
Back in the late 70's i played in a band..did a season in Morecambe....it was really posh..tea dances...jackets and ties at dinner...what a shame...but great to see you two cheering up the town...great quote from the Yorkshireman..."flat cap on tightest setting".....
Yorkshire Street in 70s when I was a kid was bustling, loads of shops. That church yer mentioned we stayed at what was the hotel next door called "inglenook hotel" morecambe was a very very different place back then even had 2 piers.
Helen is nuts, but lovely. James is fantastic as always providing this great content. I believe Tyson Fury (heavyweight world boxing champion) lives in Morcambe and plans to stay.
I love Morecambe. It has still retained that friendly feel, which I love. I’ve lived here for 7 years, moved from Blackpool, and life is so much better here. I can walk along the promenade and feel totally safe. I live in the West End, which has been allowed to get run down but it never feels dangerous. There is a strong community spirit here, and lots of events are organised for the whole family to enjoy. Yes, it needs some investment and let’s hope it gets it. Housing developers are already renovating many of the properties around here. They are good strong buildings with lots of potential. I hope the Eden Project does good things for Morecambe, and doesn’t cause it to lose its charm.
The beginning of this video was artistically brilliant ❤❤❤ Fantastic and so excellent. That was the best footage ever James. I was a photographer for 25 years before becoming a carer so being an image maker myself I thoroughly appreciated that superb footage ❤🎉 wow! So I have to congratulate you 😊
Another great vlog. Shame to see the coastal towns of Britain struggling so much hopefully they can bounce back but it will need a lot of investment especially in small businesses.
Boy oh Boy , Morecombe makes Southend-on-Sea look like ST Tropez . Rough town . Glad you didn't film the Nuclear Power Station. Nice Vlog , take care Guys .
If i remember right, they were saying Morcambe's on it's last legs in the 70's, when the cheap package flights fired up, Laker et al. Well, it's still theer. Bit of plug bait by ya man going on a day like that, i fancy. Though, to be fair, a lot of towns are struggling up and down the land. It's always gone on. Not boom n bust, but economies shift, " like the very wind".
Maybe you guys should have a look at the Eden Project . Have to say , it would be very high on my list of Over-rated attractions (probably 1st , actually) . As a northerner , £150 for a family of four to look round a big greenhouse feels a bit steep !
The advent of the cheap jetliner package holiday abroad put the nails in the coffin lid for the UK resorts, so over the years UK people have unwittingly destroyed the UK seaside holiday venues. Gaz Yorkshire
I've lived in Morecambe all my life and its been dying for years, everything that was good has gone....hotels and B&Bs are just full of asylum seekers ( all male ), very deprived town these days....used to be heaving in the 90s, had loads of festivals and music events all year round and Yorkshire street was absolutely heaving with a wide variety of shops, its a real shame how it is now
If or when the Eden Project opens it will undoubtably re-invigorate interest in Morecambe. It will attract a different profile of person to that which came to Morecambe for their summer holidays over fifty years ago. For that is the time this once vibrant town has been going downhill. In that period of decline the local authority only applied sticking plaster to the wound instead of major surgery. The hotels promised, to house the visitors will not be long stay but maximum of 2 or 3 days and then people may move onto the Lake District. All the 3 - 4 storey 9 bedroom guest houses in the west end have had their day and either need demolishing or a company like Urban Splash to get their hands on them and apply their imagination. Morecambe's main asset, after the newly opened Eden Project, that will never change is the bay and that view over to Grange-over-Sands and the unbelievably beautiful sunsets. It has so much going for it, with the much improved road network to the town giving much improved access to the M6 and thence to the Lake District. It has been left very late to regenerate but not too late. I wish it all the luck in the world and for the return of it's 'Glory Days' albeit not in the same format.
Morecambe used to be brilliant when i was growing up in the 80s and 90s.There's not as much for kids as there once was though my niece who's from london loves the arcades 😂 I agree with the fella you met about the view!
That intro 😍 was really artistic - you're so accomplished at those moody yet beautiful shots, and having (the God that is) Morrissey as the accompanying music is F A B U L O U S 💫🙌. Helen that dress is so gorgeous! As for the gentrification of the seaside towns ( you missed a trick there James - 'Everyday is like Sunday ' by Mozz describes seaside towns perfectly) it's really sad. They say it's progress, but I think they are ripping out the character of those towns and England as we knew it, it's gone. So sad 😢. Great video as usual - you two are a tonic. Thank you for taking us with you 😊✌
You walked all that way and you missed, in my opinion at least, the best part of Morecambe front. Sandylands promenade and the walk up into Heysham. Especially with the sun going down. Come back in Summer and start from the big building on the seafront behind you when you were stood at the boarded up church. There are pubs and places off the front, but if you keep on the front to Heysham there are at least 3 decent food serving pubs in a quirky little village with the ruins of Saint Patricks church on the headland. Dates back to 800ad. Apparently it's where St Patrick landed from Ireland the actual snake guy. It's less distance than where you walked in this video too 🙂It's just a shame you missed it after the sorry state of the West End. The West End is a pretty rough spot. When I used to live there years ago it was a thriving resort. But with the rise of cheap flights it basically became a shell of itself and it basically was seen as a soft touch for people coming out of prison and going to live at the seaside. The costa del dole was a real thing back then. But people on benefits don't keep a resort afloat so over time it's just declined. They moved a lot of the original locals out into a housing estate by Morecambe FC new stadium. I found the video to be very honest. You're not blind but manage not to be condescending. You can ignore things about a place, but it's good to know where is ok and where is best left alone. You might also get a better view of the other side of Morecambe Bay than was visible that day you went. and if you dont see a sunset from Sandylands across half moon bay...... Then you've only seen a part of Morecambe and in my humble opinion not the best bit. I spent the last 5 years in my van. I've been to most of the places you've been too. Sorry for the long ramble, your video made me thoughtful 😀
Yup that’s the midland hotel I remember when the station was a station and hundreds of people used it when I was a kid I was lead to believe the Eden project was been built on the old swimming pool area so like you say why build a massive hotel leave them to the locals and maybe some of those streets would live again
Ps, about my comment on UK people and package holidays, thing is now if people do go on holiday here in UK they are ripped off something chronic, which puts off even more people using staycations, end of the day they will only cater for rich people who are not bothered about warm sunny climbs, but those will be few and far between😎 Gaz Yorkshire.
My ex and her sister bought a static near Morecambe for a few years (until they realised what a money pit it was) and we spent many a time in the campsite as Morecambe was just in such a depressing state (and I used to live near Rhyl!). Almost every UK seaside town have had to improve to battle against cheap flights abroad and / or turning into a 'buy & die' area. Most have failed and have ended up as depressing places, with no future and, unfortunately, drug problems.
Sad to say but morecombe is what u see empty no shops lifeless and there is nothing there to see . You thought Bolton was sad and empty here is worse to be totally truthful . All shops boarded up only thing there is pound shops n charity shops . I recall first time I visited and we drove down the main road and thought to ourselves is this it? We then ventured to the main centre and even more boarded up shops or take away shops . The locals look at you like your aliens as if to say who are you and what you doing in our town. Even in the local pub the feeling was the same . I personally felt like I was invading their space and building so felt very uncomfortable 😢& uneasy totally from the min we got there to the min we left. I won’t be going back sadly.
Time for a rant...🤣🤔 Agree 100% with your own tirade outside the charity shop, about the "gentrification" of our old faded-glory seaside resorts. As someone who lives in one (Ramsgate...though I am a Londoner...retired down here), I've seen it over and over again at the resorts all around the Kent coast. Whitstable, Margate, Cliftonville, Deal, Folkestone, Hastings, St Leonards...theyve ALL become INFESTED with "hipsters", with their "Heritage Quarters", vegan delis, and "art installations" (...god preserve us 😂). Morecambe looks SO LIKE Margate (...or..."Margs" as the hipsters now call it 😖). Anyhoo...you will find EXACTLY the same down here when you visit James...but...there ARE still some nice old-fashioned resorts where the crooked councillors and property developers havnt got their grubby mits into yet... Sheerness, Tankerton, Herne Bay, Westgate on Sea, Sandwich, Bexhill, and a few others. When you decide to come down here (...its a LONG way from Barnsley...probably similar distance to Padstow), do a bit of circumspect research before you visit, as its very easy to end up visiting the "honey pot" town resorts, when often the towns in-between are much nicer. I'd recommend...Tankerton and Broadstairs to start with? 😊 We've also got a nuclear power station down here...at Dungeness...another place worth visiting for its weirdness. It's the ONLY "desert" in the U.K. Also definitely worth visiting, nearby, are Camber Sands and Rye. There are two channels I want to recommend to you James... JOHN ROGERS and... STEVE MARSH. Both are travel vloggers, like yourself. I think you'd really enjoy their videos. Well done mate...really enjoyed this one. More "faded glory" 😊
Love Costa del Morecambe lived there as a child, when frontier land closed and the blue lagoon ( which was an open air swimming pool with wave machines with slides sunbathing areas) they killed the town and all those small businesses, then Lancaster got most of the money out the pot for rejuvenation probably the last 20 years money has started trickling in and I can't say they haven't tried, they even aloud some fairground rides on the front but it's nothing that would draw a annual visit, I think there is word of some plans to reopen frontier land in some way, so it's a watch this space situation back in greater Manchester, maybe in the future I'll go back, would love too oh and the natives a such lovely people.
I wish you had given me a warning about the inclusion of jazz music at 10:05........Babee!. If you had I could have watched this video dressed like the poet you met.
@@bythecurbI'm taking my son and daughter to Morecombe today. Did you come across the place that does knickerbockerglorys? They do really good burgers too from what i've heard. I cant find it on tinternet. Would really appreciate it if you reply 👍 All the best guys !
Me and my son did the cycle ride Way Of The Roses in 2022 stayed in Morecambe bay hotel for night. All I can say is the town is awful and that was in summer. by the way hotel was dire .
Another of our seaside resorts dying. Only visitors are Asylum Seekers. LEVELLING UP!!! Don't think it will ever happen.
you mean the illegal immigrants.
It’s not dying. Morecambe died in the 90s - it’s actually
Slowly - very slowly - reviving! Really needs Eden to get built asap tbh
I've watched your channel James pretty much from its beginning and have enjoyed watching it grow, and while your videos have never failed to entertain me, may I just say that it's plain to see how your filming and editing skills have both blossomed. The opening of this video, with the haunting melancholic tones of Morrissey would have graced any mainstream TV programme and you should be rightly proud of it.
Thank you so much, that means a lot and thank you for sticking with me 🙂
I totally agree, James has blossomed and doing great with his channel. I’m proud of him, I looked forward to his uploads 😃
I agree.your filming is good and uplifting James.
Wonderful opening cinematography, James, and the legend that is Morrissey adds to the feeling of loss and decay (coming from Wallasey I can appreciate it). Plus we get young Helen to cheer us up after a minute or two. Keep up the great work!
Thank you, I thought the song was perfect for it 🙂
James that intro without doubt the best intro I’ve seen in 6 years well done mate. How gorgeous is Helen and you both just bounce of each other …. Never change both of you I’ve been there from day 1 qualityxx
Helen your hair was lovely not a strand out of place and must have cost a fortune … then you went for a walk …. Love it xx
Thank you, I appreciate that 😊
Love the music James👍 such a pity about our decaying coastal towns though. 🙄
Absolutely brilliant loads of love from Morecambe
The best days in all these types of Seaside Towns / places are long long gone, I often wonder IF it was possible to bring back the dead what they would think 🤔
It's such a shame how Britain now looks, and it's crystal clear where it's heading.
Thanks again fella.
You are welcome 😊
Exactly I’m glad you see the truth not like these idiots on TH-cam saying how great city’s are their absolutely blind to the truth how can people be so stupid
Great vlog. Loved the Morrissey playing over the opening titles. I totally agree with you regarding the gentrification of seaside towns ( I'm a Scarborian). Keep up the good work 👏👏
Thank you, will do
Sadly Morecambe, in my opinion, has suffered the same fate as many seaside towns up and down the country.....lack of investment and forward planning by property owners and numerous bad planning decisions by council leaders over the years.
The same people who quite happily took their bags of silver when times were good.
I think the plans for the Eden Project in Morecambe actually look like they could be really good. As for the small shops, yes it's a bit sad that they'll have to move premises, but I suspect they'll have more custom once more people start coming to Morecambe and there's higher footfall in general.
Also....great intro 👌
You’re right about rich second home owners buying up the houses and the locals suffering but…… it was the locals in the first place that sold out cos someone dangled a big fat cheque book in front of them . They can’t really complain that these places are ghost towns in the winter when it was them that’s the root of the problem!!!. Sadly money talks …. Great vlog you two!
Thank you
Greed Can't Be Satisfied
No rich person is buying second homes in Morecambe. Trust me, I live there and nobody in their right mind would buy a holiday home. It's full of drug addicts and nonces.
your 💯 % right, look at the moaners in Cornwall, they need to look at their own who chose to stuff their bank accounts and then found they'd have to pay double to get another local home ..rich Londoners are the ones that won there !
@@kathchandler4919 yep. 100 percent
Loving the new opening footage Style 7 Music overlay , The Editing has gone up another level . superb.
Thank you :-)
Morecambe is horrible there is no night clubs no good bars no nightlife at all zero infact its all run down,there is no peirs ,no theme park no nothing, the place is a tip ,nothing to do whatsoever even blackpool has things to do bars ckubs ,peirs attractions etc ,and Blackpool is a dump aswell but at least there is stuff to do,the eden project north will be tiny lol if there putting it on the plot of waste land where the seasonal fair is placed you can walk through the eden project plot it in 3 min the plot is no bigger than a carpark lol and who cares about 3 shitty small greenhouses with booody plants in
Amazing that you bumped into Garry Glitter in that cafe.
In peak season Morecambe is busy and buzzing, of course it looks dead in winter, in a storm 🙄
If you're not made of money, Morecambe is affordable, and in this cost of living crisis that's got to be welcome for less well off families ❤
Sad really Morecambe ....I went there as a kid in the 1960s and it wasn't that good then.... all I can remember about it was a Large pirate ship on the front promanade which kids loved .... but even then, you compared it to Blackpool which in that era was fantastic (not anymore)
They don't like to do up small businesses, because they don't care about the general public having money. It's all about shuffling money upwards.
Eden Project Morecambe has been awarded £50m from Government’s Levelling Up Fund to help pay towards the 100m pounds that the Eden Project will cost to build. and three huge bio spheres dropped on the prom is going to look so out of place. surely there are better things to spend that huge amount of tax payers money on around Morecombe
Heysham, Morecambe, Lancaster like many other Towns and City's are struggling with the economic down turn after COVID. They are all nice in their own way and feel better in the warmer weather. Glad the footage came out, considering the wind and pending storm. I agree the Eden Project will encourage more tourism but unfortunately and likely to the detriment of local businesses. James, nice to see you and Helen in my neck of the woods and I hope to see more of you in the area perhaps in the summer months. 😎👍
Thank you, we can't wait to come back. We want to visit Lancaster and Lytham st Annes
@@bythecurb Both are very nice. LSA is in the top 5 for the most wealthy people in the country!!!
Thanks for getting back to me, and take it easy. 👍😎😊
Coming from Bolton morecambe and Lancaster are like a dream. So glad I moved up this way
Enjoy your honesty, unfortunately normal people say there not bothered with politics, but it affects every single person and every aspect of life. Ie morecambe small businesses etc such a shame. Dave
Is it just me or is anyone else feeling really drained and waiting for something bad to happen ? ? The Great reset is for real 😮
I’m still feeling like this,James and Helen always cheer me up ❤
It isn't just you,no, my whole family and friends feel the same,but don't dread it.we have to deal with and conquer and overcome things that will happen that we don't agree with or accept.
Please try going to Italy when you have the budget.its no dearer than Spain and Italian people are a experience in themselves especially Naples and Palermo.
For a truly ecsquite experience though with beautiful food and drink Go to the Italian riviera
When I was a road cyclist around 12 years ago , I used to set off from Grange Over Sands and Morecambe Bay always used to be my first stop of the day ,,and I can’t ever recall a time there wasn’t a gale force wind on that sea front at Morecambe ,,it’s sad to see it in deep decline but the whole country’s heading that way at a astonishing rate.
Helen you you don't have a bad side to look at.
Left side , right side , or b------de.😂
Great effort on a difficult day thanks guys still enjoyed it.
Ive been a silent watcher for a while, but had to comment about the seagulls and the music you put with them.. absolutely brilliant, made me laugh out loud … 😂
Thank you, glad you liked it
Visited just over a week ago from NZ🇳🇿Did the bracing walk along the prom and also the carvery.Had a great couple of days.Very fond memories of Morecambe and Heysham,enjoyed a couple 🍻in the old railway station.Midland was looking a bit tired even after the recent makeover.Would love to see the town get back on its feet.Get back to Lancaster,had a great day sightseeing too.
Getting bloody arty 😂, what a fantastic opening , at least Helen was standing next to a slippery surface sign , I got Jean standing next to a “ no dogs on the beach “ obviously went on Facebook 😂great video
Need to find some easide towns that are turning this decline around and how they are doing it.
Coastal towns and cities in the UK. Historically, many coastal towns in the UK relied heavily on industries such as fishing, shipping, and manufacturing, which have experienced decline in recent decades. This economic shift may have contributed to the decline of these areas.
The shift in holidays in the sun over decades has a massive impacct , its so sad to see all this decline everywphere.
Luckily we have you to loveley people who can brighten up the dullest of days wherever you are.❤❤❤❤
Hi James and Helen, only recently subscribed to your channel and loving the content, trips and travels.
Crazy really I have been to the majority of the places you have been.
I am hooked on north wales, south wales at the moment. Llandudno, Conwy north tenby saundersfoot south. Llandudno has Victorian charm, the great orme tram to the top with the cable car down. Won’t go on and on but I’m pretty sure the best place to park the van would be the car park past the grand hotel overlooking the pier, Irish Sea.
Keep up the brilliant content
Shaun +Pammy
We know who’ll end up filling those hotels anyway 👀
I live in Morecambe beautiful in sunshine best eva n close to all ,lakes or night life cities ✌️😜🏴
Helen you need a hat my love to keep you nice n warm ❤p.s I'd rather stay in a bed n breakfast than a big noisy hotel with doors banging all night 😊
Eden will be a game changer 🎉 fab prom for cycling to Heysham when the sun shines x
Hi Both of you, love your vlogs, back in the early 80's I used to work on Heysham Power Station once every six months. I used to stay in the Famous Midland Hotel and it was fantastic. The town was buzzing, full of contractors working on the Power Station so there was plenty of money about. You couldn't go in a pub without hearing the song The Crystal Chandelier being blasted out. Happy memories of my youth. Thank you.
Thank you 😊
Yorkshire street was once a wonderful shopping street
Another fabulous video from yourself & Helen. Used to go Morecambe years ago, you’ve brought back so many lovely childhood memories. Luckily the buildings on the front are still the same
I enjoyed youre video especially siting here with my glass of wine nice and warm . Thanks a lot keep going !
James...its all just too sad what is happening in the north of England...I lived in Hebden Bridge in Yorkshire and it became "bought up" by southerners who could sell a house down south and afford to but 3 in my town with the proceeds..then they live in one and air b&B or rent out the other two. You would be hard pressed to hear a northern accent in that part of Yorkshire now...very sad...
It is very sad, I agree
I've never known anyone to get out of breath by just walking 😂😂
I was out of breath just by watching!😊
Despite morecambe being a hole now, you will see some of the best sunsets in the country across the bay behind the hills of the lake district.
Another cracking intro with a great choice of music. Some great editing.
Thank you
Loved the opening of this video, you've out done yourself with this one James. Keep doing what you're doing, you're an amazing work in progress. Sad to see these cities losing their small businesses and I think a lot of people would agree, it's such a shame. I've been in the desert traveling around for 16 days now in the van, I love it. It was an awesome full moon rise over the mountain range tonight. So glad I am doing this kind of life, it suits me.
Thank you. That sounds amazing. Id love to come over sometime
If you’d gone along the seafront in the other direction there is a lovely little park/gardens with a nice cafe of season, too busy on season. We go there as my husband’s mums boyfriend is in a care home near it. I love seaside resorts off season. I just want the sea and a quiet cafe.
We love the seaside in the winter 😊
That’s where they started walking from… Happy Mount Park.
Opening sequence fab. I was there in my Motorhome a couple of years ago and there were hundreds of Vans and Motorhomes right the whole length of the beach. Many many people about.
Back in the late 70's i played in a band..did a season in Morecambe....it was really posh..tea dances...jackets and ties at dinner...what a shame...but great to see you two cheering up the town...great quote from the Yorkshireman..."flat cap on tightest setting".....
cultural vandalism of our resorts
Hola from sunny Spain 24 degrees and full sunshine today. Many years since I visited Morecambe and it was sad then. Wrap up well amigos xx
Thank you, enjoy the sunshine
Yorkshire Street in 70s when I was a kid was bustling, loads of shops. That church yer mentioned we stayed at what was the hotel next door called "inglenook hotel" morecambe was a very very different place back then even had 2 piers.
I've got to say you are getting very good at this game my friend ❤
Thank you mate
Helen is nuts, but lovely. James is fantastic as always providing this great content. I believe Tyson Fury (heavyweight world boxing champion) lives in Morcambe and plans to stay.
He does 😊
I love Morecambe. It has still retained that friendly feel, which I love. I’ve lived here for 7 years, moved from Blackpool, and life is so much better here. I can walk along the promenade and feel totally safe. I live in the West End, which has been allowed to get run down but it never feels dangerous. There is a strong community spirit here, and lots of events are organised for the whole family to enjoy. Yes, it needs some investment and let’s hope it gets it. Housing developers are already renovating many of the properties around here. They are good strong buildings with lots of potential. I hope the Eden Project does good things for Morecambe, and doesn’t cause it to lose its charm.
The beginning of this video was artistically brilliant ❤❤❤ Fantastic and so excellent. That was the best footage ever James. I was a photographer for 25 years before becoming a carer so being an image maker myself I thoroughly appreciated that superb footage ❤🎉 wow! So I have to congratulate you 😊
Great intro the good the bad & the Morecambe, would a wise man come in a winters gale.
Tyson Fury the boxer lives in Morecambe.
Another great vlog. Shame to see the coastal towns of Britain struggling so much hopefully they can bounce back but it will need a lot of investment especially in small businesses.
They are going to take back all the 1p and 2ps back. I think they need all the copper 🤔 for what??? Mmmm 🤔 they need the copper
If they continue with ulez every seeside will suffer . In Wakefield today Thursday not busy . 😢
Gorraluv Helen's stalker-voice 😮.
Boy oh Boy , Morecombe makes Southend-on-Sea look like ST Tropez . Rough town . Glad you didn't film the Nuclear Power Station. Nice Vlog , take care Guys .
Hi guys. Have you tried durridge bay up in northumberland. Beautiful beach. Free parking.
There is no weather British people will not endure for a nice pint! Great entertainment!😊 Thank you James and Helen❤
By the way the Eden Project in Cornwall is spectacular and well worth a visit
I’ve never seen Morecambe spelt so many different ways. 😂😂😂
It’s an example of destroying England by the the t pots of the country
Miss you two . The blog is great 🎉don’t worry, love a mention guys x
If i remember right, they were saying Morcambe's on it's last legs in the 70's, when the cheap package flights fired up, Laker et al. Well, it's still theer. Bit of plug bait by ya man going on a day like that, i fancy. Though, to be fair, a lot of towns are struggling up and down the land. It's always gone on. Not boom n bust, but economies shift, " like the very wind".
Maybe you guys should have a look at the Eden Project . Have to say , it would be very high on my list of Over-rated attractions (probably 1st , actually) . As a northerner , £150 for a family of four to look round a big greenhouse feels a bit steep !
The advent of the cheap jetliner package holiday abroad put the nails in the coffin lid for the UK resorts, so over the years UK people have unwittingly destroyed the UK seaside holiday venues.
Gaz Yorkshire
Can't understand why they are building a hotel. Thought Brritish resorts had problems filling them.
I've lived in Morecambe all my life and its been dying for years, everything that was good has gone....hotels and B&Bs are just full of asylum seekers ( all male ), very deprived town these days....used to be heaving in the 90s, had loads of festivals and music events all year round and Yorkshire street was absolutely heaving with a wide variety of shops, its a real shame how it is now
If or when the Eden Project opens it will undoubtably re-invigorate interest in Morecambe. It will attract a different profile of person to that which came to Morecambe for their summer holidays over fifty years ago. For that is the time this once vibrant town has been going downhill. In that period of decline the local authority only applied sticking plaster to the wound instead of major surgery. The hotels promised, to house the visitors will not be long stay but maximum of 2 or 3 days and then people may move onto the Lake District. All the 3 - 4 storey 9 bedroom guest houses in the west end have had their day and either need demolishing or a company like Urban Splash to get their hands on them and apply their imagination. Morecambe's main asset, after the newly opened Eden Project, that will never change is the bay and that view over to Grange-over-Sands and the unbelievably beautiful sunsets. It has so much going for it, with the much improved road network to the town giving much improved access to the M6 and thence to the Lake District. It has been left very late to regenerate but not too late. I wish it all the luck in the world and for the return of it's 'Glory Days' albeit not in the same format.
Morecambe used to be brilliant when i was growing up in the 80s and 90s.There's not as much for kids as there once was though my niece who's from london loves the arcades 😂 I agree with the fella you met about the view!
Morcambe for now is bleak. Hope it becomes a wonderful town xx
That intro 😍 was really artistic - you're so accomplished at those moody yet beautiful shots, and having (the God that is) Morrissey as the accompanying music is F A B U L O U S 💫🙌. Helen that dress is so gorgeous! As for the gentrification of the seaside towns ( you missed a trick there James - 'Everyday is like Sunday ' by Mozz describes seaside towns perfectly) it's really sad. They say it's progress, but I think they are ripping out the character of those towns and England as we knew it, it's gone. So sad 😢. Great video as usual - you two are a tonic. Thank you for taking us with you 😊✌
Thank you so much :-)
You walked all that way and you missed, in my opinion at least, the best part of Morecambe front. Sandylands promenade and the walk up into Heysham. Especially with the sun going down. Come back in Summer and start from the big building on the seafront behind you when you were stood at the boarded up church. There are pubs and places off the front, but if you keep on the front to Heysham there are at least 3 decent food serving pubs in a quirky little village with the ruins of Saint Patricks church on the headland. Dates back to 800ad. Apparently it's where St Patrick landed from Ireland the actual snake guy. It's less distance than where you walked in this video too 🙂It's just a shame you missed it after the sorry state of the West End.
The West End is a pretty rough spot. When I used to live there years ago it was a thriving resort. But with the rise of cheap flights it basically became a shell of itself and it basically was seen as a soft touch for people coming out of prison and going to live at the seaside. The costa del dole was a real thing back then. But people on benefits don't keep a resort afloat so over time it's just declined. They moved a lot of the original locals out into a housing estate by Morecambe FC new stadium.
I found the video to be very honest. You're not blind but manage not to be condescending. You can ignore things about a place, but it's good to know where is ok and where is best left alone.
You might also get a better view of the other side of Morecambe Bay than was visible that day you went. and if you dont see a sunset from Sandylands across half moon bay...... Then you've only seen a part of Morecambe and in my humble opinion not the best bit.
I spent the last 5 years in my van. I've been to most of the places you've been too. Sorry for the long ramble, your video made me thoughtful 😀
Yup that’s the midland hotel I remember when the station was a station and hundreds of people used it when I was a kid
I was lead to believe the Eden project was been built on the old swimming pool area so like you say why build a massive hotel leave them to the locals and maybe some of those streets would live again
Ps, about my comment on UK people and package holidays, thing is now if people do go on holiday here in UK they are ripped off something chronic, which puts off even more people using staycations, end of the day they will only cater for rich people who are not bothered about warm sunny climbs, but those will be few and far between😎
Gaz Yorkshire.
Eden project for Vegans almost fell of my chair. Eden projects all about the planet 🌍 But ha lets rip our history down for a giant green house 😂😂😂
My ex and her sister bought a static near Morecambe for a few years (until they realised what a money pit it was) and we spent many a time in the campsite as Morecambe was just in such a depressing state (and I used to live near Rhyl!).
Almost every UK seaside town have had to improve to battle against cheap flights abroad and / or turning into a 'buy & die' area.
Most have failed and have ended up as depressing places, with no future and, unfortunately, drug problems.
I laughed so much when you said they are building a 78 room hotel with 2 parking spaces 😂😂😂😂
I think he meant parking areas 😳
Sad to say but morecombe is what u see empty no shops lifeless and there is nothing there to see . You thought Bolton was sad and empty here is worse to be totally truthful . All shops boarded up only thing there is pound shops n charity shops . I recall first time I visited and we drove down the main road and thought to ourselves is this it? We then ventured to the main centre and even more boarded up shops or take away shops . The locals look at you like your aliens as if to say who are you and what you doing in our town. Even in the local pub the feeling was the same . I personally felt like I was invading their space and building so felt very uncomfortable 😢& uneasy totally from the min we got there to the min we left. I won’t be going back sadly.
Helen when your in your Charity shops . Get yourself a Reght coat its bloody winter . Up n Down in flimsy coyt 🤣.
She's from Yorkshire she doesn't own a big coat 😂
@@bythecurb 🤫🤣
Time for a rant...🤣🤔
Agree 100% with your own tirade outside the charity shop, about the "gentrification" of our old faded-glory seaside resorts.
As someone who lives in one (Ramsgate...though I am a Londoner...retired down here), I've seen it over and over again at the resorts all around the Kent coast.
Whitstable, Margate, Cliftonville, Deal, Folkestone, Hastings, St Leonards...theyve ALL become INFESTED with "hipsters", with their "Heritage Quarters", vegan delis, and "art installations" (...god preserve us 😂).
Morecambe looks SO LIKE Margate (...or..."Margs" as the hipsters now call it 😖).
Anyhoo...you will find EXACTLY the same down here when you visit James...but...there ARE still some nice old-fashioned resorts where the crooked councillors and property developers havnt got their grubby mits into yet...
Sheerness, Tankerton, Herne Bay, Westgate on Sea, Sandwich, Bexhill, and a few others.
When you decide to come down here (...its a LONG way from Barnsley...probably similar distance to Padstow), do a bit of circumspect research before you visit, as its very easy to end up visiting the "honey pot" town resorts, when often the towns in-between are much nicer.
I'd recommend...Tankerton and Broadstairs to start with? 😊
We've also got a nuclear power station down here...at Dungeness...another place worth visiting for its weirdness.
It's the ONLY "desert" in the U.K.
Also definitely worth visiting, nearby, are Camber Sands and Rye.
There are two channels I want to recommend to you James...
JOHN ROGERS
and...
STEVE MARSH.
Both are travel vloggers, like yourself.
I think you'd really enjoy their videos.
Well done mate...really enjoyed this one.
More "faded glory" 😊
Thank you for the comment mate and the great recommendations. I watch Steve Marsh and will look up John Rogers too
That fur collar Helen sets your beautiful hair off ❤ awe , from one woman to another 😊🥰
Love Costa del Morecambe lived there as a child, when frontier land closed and the blue lagoon ( which was an open air swimming pool with wave machines with slides sunbathing areas) they killed the town and all those small businesses, then Lancaster got most of the money out the pot for rejuvenation probably the last 20 years money has started trickling in and I can't say they haven't tried, they even aloud some fairground rides on the front but it's nothing that would draw a annual visit, I think there is word of some plans to reopen frontier land in some way, so it's a watch this space situation back in greater Manchester, maybe in the future I'll go back, would love too oh and the natives a such lovely people.
I wish you had given me a warning about the inclusion of jazz music at 10:05........Babee!. If you had I could have watched this video dressed like the poet you met.
😂
@@bythecurbI'm taking my son and daughter to Morecombe today.
Did you come across the place that does knickerbockerglorys?
They do really good burgers too from what i've heard.
I cant find it on tinternet.
Would really appreciate it if you reply 👍
All the best guys !
Urgent! Election day is upon us! Vote BEZ for Bare!
You should go to the dalton armies Glasson dock lArge car park wonderful food and drink
With a pint of Guinness you should really say Slàinte instead of cheers ❤❤
The Morecambe hotel was massively refurbished in the nineties to a high standard.
Just another resort that’s went right downhill, the only one that seems to attract people now is Scarborough
Great show again James and Helen, 10/10 on that opening, I can see why you like 'Socks with Sandals' video style...me too!
Me and my son did the cycle ride Way Of The Roses in 2022 stayed in Morecambe bay hotel for night. All I can say is the town is awful and that was in summer. by the way hotel was dire .
Morecambe as gone down a massive hill over the years, in the 80's it was the place to go for your holiday's no more 😢😢
Nice bit of melancholy Morrisey to open 👌🏴
Love him
Great film, the intro was very good.
Morecambe is a great place to chill out in better weather!
Love the statue tribute to the great eric morecambe it looks very cold down there im not far off retirement may end up there lol another great show 👍
Stunning opening sequence worthy of a bafta😮
"DefCon1" Are you an intelligence services asset James??
Superb editing and content
Thank you 😂
Another grand blog owd lad, it’s great how you and Helen bounce off each other, a smashing couple 😊
the Midland hotel is so overpriced Morecambe is lovely when the sun shines such a shame another old seaside town has gone to look like this