An interpretation & marketing plan for Morecambe Bay

What is interpretation?

Interpretation is anything that helps people to understand and become more interested  in the places and things that they visit.  Examples include informative display boards for the Cumbrian Coastal Way, leaflets for self-guided walks and trails, public art like the Tern project in Morecambe, or even events like the Maritime Festival in Lancaster.

With careful planning, interpretation can increase people's appreciation of the Bay's unique way of life and  wildlife and help to protect them.

Audit & workshop reports

An audit of interpretation around the Bay was carried out between October and December 2001, and we held workshops at our  Morecambe Bay Conference in November 2001 to allow local people to have their say about what and where should be interpreted.  Reports of the audit and workshops are available as PDF files by clicking on the links below:

Audit report (351KB)
Workshop report (521KB)

The audit showed that there is currently very little interpretation relating to the Bay, and it is completely absent in certain key places.

This sunset, looking towards Barrow, captures what is special about Morecambe Bay for many people

The workshops aimed to find out what people who live around the Bay think is special about it, which places they like to take visitors to and which they think should be left undiscovered.  

Those who know the Bay love its views, sunsets, light, wildlife, the fact that it is constantly changing, its history, culture, and many other aspects - something appeals to everyone.  There are special places all around the Bay from Barrow to Fleetwood.  However, there were mixed feelings as to whether the Bay has its own sense of identity.

Interpretation strategy

In April 2002, the Morecambe Bay Partnership completed work on developing an interpretation and marketing strategy for the Bay. 

The findings of the audit and workshops have been taken into account in the development of the interpretation and marketing strategy for Morecambe Bay.  

Interpretation strategy (158KB)

James Carter and David Masters, who have written the strategy in consultation with the Morecambe Bay Partnership, are specialists in environmental interpretation and they have come up with some interesting ideas for new interpretation around the Bay.  These include:

• A Morecambe Bay Discovery Centre with lots of fun, interactive exhibits about the Bay's wildlife - perhaps focusing on the tidal and sub-tidal zones and the bird life - and the unique way of life

• Ideas for public art inspired by the tides and their link with the planet, children's play facilities and an open-air performance space on Grange-over-Sands promenade

• Getting local people involved in developing music, visual arts and writing that celebrates the local environment and builds connections between the communities around the Bay - work could be transported from one place to another using boat, rail and walking routes

• A video or DVD about the “little places” around the Bay which are special to local people, telling their stories

• Renovating existing interpretation or providing new interpretation at key viewpoints and access points around the Bay

• Possibly a series of themed trails around the Bay – celebrating the views, history, and of course the incredible wildlife

If you have any comments on the Interpretation strategy, please email them to us (info@morecambebay.org.uk) or send them to Morecambe Bay Partnership, 32 Market Place, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 4TN.

What next?

We don't want the strategy to become just another document full of ideas that might not be achieved. A well thought-out plan developed in consultation with the local community may help us to attract funding from sources such as the Heritage Lottery Fund to actually implement the recommendations. 

What will the strategy achieve?

When implemented, we hope the strategy will:

Morecambe 1950

• raise awareness and understanding of Morecambe Bay's heritage

• contribute to the distinctiveness of Morecambe Bay

• encourage sustainable tourism throughout the area

• encourage local communities and visitors to value the heritage of the Bay

• enhance the visitor experience 

• inform visitors and encourage visitor spending, thereby strengthening the local economy

• increase protection for nature conservation interests in the Bay.

However, this is a long term project which may take up to 5 years to achieve.

Thanks to our sponsors

Morecambe Bay Partnership wishes to acknowledge the financial support of the following organisations in the development of the interpretation and marketing strategy: