IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
The Esplanade, FLEETWOOD, FY7 6BN

Opened in 1841 to serve rail passengers from London Euston to Glasgow. As there was no railway line through the Lake District at that time, rail passengers could take the train to here, stay overnight and catch the ferry the following day to Scotland. All this ended in the 1850s when through trains from London via Carlisle to Glasgow started running. But the hotel survives.

The hotel was built in 1841. It was intended to serve overnight guests making the rail journey from London Euston, and who intended to continue to Scotland by steamship. The point of departure being nearby. It was at one time, in the Victorian period, owned by the War Department and used for military purposes. Later it reverted to use as an hotel, and has been through many changes of ownership. It is now owned by a local family who have been updating it. At the front of the semi-circular building, is what appears to be a modern entrance to the hotel's Victoria Bar. That doesn't seem to blend particularly well with the rest of the exterior, but that's a purely personal view of course. Image

Long ago, in the early 1970's, I visited the bar of this hotel, with a group of friends. I recollect there was a pool table there, and it was very much a locals' place. We all felt very uncomfortable and were glad to leave. Since then, it has been through many changes, including ownership, and I'm sure the atmosphere now is very different to all those years ago! Image

Viewed from Euston Park, Fleetwood. So called because it is at the opposite end of the railway from London Euston. Unfortunately, the passenger railway no longer serves Fleetwood.

The North Euston Hotel, a fine semi-circular building, was built in 1841 overlooking Morecambe Bay and the estuary of the River Wyre. The hotel was close to the departure point for the steamers to Scotland and was built principally to serve overnight guests making the railway journey from London Euston. By the mid-1850s the completion of the western railway link between London and Scotland over Shap Fell rendered Fleetwood's role as a transport terminus obsolete. The town’s railway station closed in 1966.

The North Euston Hotel, a fine semi-circular building, was built in 1841 to a design by Decimus Burton. It overlooks Morecambe Bay and the estuary of the River Wyre. The hotel was close to the departure point for the steamers to Scotland and was built principally to serve overnight guests making the railway journey from London Euston. At the time it was thought that a rail route could not be built through the Cumbrian fells. The passengers would start from Euston Station in London, so this would be 'North Euston'. By 1850 the line to Scotland had opened. In 1859 the hotel was sold to the Government as a School of Musketry for the military. Forty years later it resumed its role as a major hotel and is currently owned by a consortium of local families On the right is the Lower Lighthouse Image

Opened in 1841 and designed in the Greek classical style by Decimus Burton. The original hotel manager was Xenon Vantini, a Corsican, who had been a courier to Napoleon Bonaparte. Luxury and full board accommodation originally cost less than 50p a day. In 1859 the hotel was sold to the Government as a School of Musketry for the military. Forty years later it resumed its role as a major hotel and is currently owned by local business families. Amongst famous visitors was the Right Honorable Margaret Thatcher, Britain's first woman Prime Minister. (Taken from Council notice)