Heysham is a small, coastal village near Lancaster in the county of Lancashire. It overlooks Morecambe Bay and has two nuclear power stations which are visible landmarks from hills in the surrounding area. Heysham's hidden gem is the shoreside Heysham Village, centred on a group of charming seventeenth-century cottages. Settlement here can be traced back to prehistoric times, though proudest relic is the well-preserved Viking hog's-back tombstone in Saxon St Peter's church, set in a romantic churchyard below the headland. Just up the lane, on the headland itself, the earlier ruins of St Patrick's chapel occupy a superb vantage-point over the bay and to the lakeland hills beyond. The harbour was opened in 1787 and as trade expanded so did the village. A walk around the harbour is an interesting and rewarding experience, and the short stroll up Tithebarn Hill is rewarded with stunning views.
Transportation in Heysham
By Car: Exit M6 J34 & follow A589 to Morecambe & Heysham for 3.5 miles. At 2nd roundabout take A683 to Heysham which is 3.5 miles away. Follow signs for Ferry Port which is at the west end of Heysham village.
By Rail: North Western Trains run a train service connecting with most daytime arrivals and departures. The train links with Inter City services which serve both Preston and Lancaster year round and during the summer the train serves Stockport via Manchester, Bolton and Preston. The station platform at Heysham Port is less than 50m from the Passenger Terminal.
By Coach: Stagecoach Ribble operate a bus service from Combermere Road in Heysham. This is approximately a 10-minute walk to the passenger terminal.
By Ferry:
Heysham ferry port is a major 24 hour Passenger & Freight Ferry Port located on the southern edge of Morecambe Bay, offering sailings from Northern Ireland and Douglas in the Isle of Man. Passenger services operate from the South Quay, whilst Freight Services operate from both the South & East Quays. The ro/ro service is located at the eastern end of the 460 metre long South Quay, and is used daily for passengers and freight travelling to Heysham, operated by Steam Packet.
You will find all of Heysham's fascinating history superbly captured in the displays and exhibitions at the Heysham Heritage Centre, a converted grade II listed 17th century barn, right in the heart of the village.
The parish church of St Peter, was first consecrated in the year 976 and is therefore over 1000 years old. Most of what can be seen there is younger than that, the belfry added in the 1600s, the South doorway which replaces the original Saxon doorway - still visible in the West wall. St Peter's church was built to replace this chapel which stands just above it on the hillside. By the time the Vikings raided Heysham in the 900s this chapel was already around 300 years old. They left it without a roof and the villagers, presumably too numerous anyway for this tiny chapel, decided to build the new church. The chapel was dedicated to St Patrick, who was rumoured to have been shipwrecked here in the 5th Century, on his way to Scotland after fleeing from his Roman captors in Ireland.
