For our first trip in Freddie, we went to visit some friends who had just returned back to the UK from St Helier in Jersey having bought a house in Knott End-on-Sea, a place we have not heard of before. But, if you’re looking for a quirky and fun day out in Lancashire, why not follow in the footsteps of one of Britain’s most famous artists, L.S. Lowry? You may know him for his paintings of industrial scenes and crowds of “matchstick men”, but did you know he also had a fondness for Knott End-on-Sea?
Knott End-on-Sea is a small coastal village on the opposite side of the Wyre estuary from Fleetwood. Lowry visited Knott End frequently in the 1940s and 1950s, staying at boarding houses on the sea front and sketching whatever caught his eye. He used anything he could find as his canvas, from hotel note paper to toilet paper!
He was particularly drawn to the ferry slip and the jetty, where he captured the comings and goings of the locals and the visitors. He also painted the Lunevale, a scenic view of the river and the hills beyond. You can see some of his Knott End paintings on various websites, but be careful not to buy any fakes!
To celebrate Lowry’s connection to Knott End, a sculpture of his “matchstick man and dog” was unveiled in 2015 by the ferry jetty. It was made by apprentices at a metal work company in Darwen, using stainless steel and laser cutting. The sculpture is a great photo opportunity and a tribute to Lowry’s distinctive style.
You can also enjoy a walk around Knott End, following the Wyre Way path along the estuary and through fields and woodland. You’ll pass by Hackensall Hall, a historic manor house, and cross the old railway line that used to run from Garstang to Knott End. The walk offers stunning views across the bay to the Lakeland Fells and Blackpool Tower.
So why not hop on the ferry from Fleetwood and discover Knott End for yourself? You might even find some inspiration for your own sketches. Just don’t forget to bring some paper!
