Winter Gardens Theatre

Polly Checkland Harding
Winter Gardens Theatre Morecambe
Courtesy of Lancaster City Council

The Winter Gardens theatre is a truly extraordinary Grade II* listed building on Morecambe’s waterfront, run entirely by volunteers. It’s an exceptional piece of architecture, with detailed interiors including carved marble staircases, mosaic flooring, tiled walls and ornate plasterwork. At a height of 65 feet and with a roof spanning 118 feet, the auditorium is one of the largest in the country – but what makes Morecambe’s Winter Gardens theatre really special is its long history, one that reflects the varied fortunes of its home town.

Opened 17 July 1897, it was originally known as The Victoria Pavilion, a grand variety theatre and concert hall that was built on the site of a much bigger, and older, complex. With a capacity of 2,500, the theatre alone was one of the largest in the North West and cost nearly £100,000 to build. Morecambe’s original Winter Gardens dated back thirty years earlier, and was first envisioned as a swimming baths on the waterfront. Surrounded by the growing winter gardens it was named after, and with the later additions of restaurants and an aquarium, the original building had two glass domes with a huge glazed arch roof and semi circular windows.

The ambitious roof ended up causing problems, freezing the exotic foliage in the winter and roasting visitors in the summer: it was later converted to slate, leaving only a few glass openings for light. Innovative at the time, with three medicinal baths (sulphur, hot air and electrical), the site’s fortunes declined over the years and the entire complex was closed in 1977. Five years later, the original Winter Gardens were demolished, leaving the theatre standing alone and in an extremely vulnerable position.

The theatre is now undergoing renovations, with the ornate ceiling next to be repaired and a new heating system set to be installed. In October 2020, the building – which has played host to the likes of Laurence Olivier, Julie Andrews and The Who over the years – was granted £20,800 from the government’s £1.57billion Culture Recovery Fund, helping the volunteer team to meet the monthly costs and continue with restorations. It’s scheduled to reopen in March 2021.

209 Marine Road CentralMorecambeLA4 4BU View map
Telephone: 01524 409009 Visit Now

Opening Hours

  • Saturday11:00am - 4:00pm
  • Sunday11:00am - 4:00pm

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

What's on near Winter Gardens Theatre

Of Mice and Men at Octagon Theatre Bolton
Until
TheatreBolton
Of Mice and Men at Octagon Theatre Bolton

This gut-punching tale – with themes of loyalty, migration and prejudice – still strike a chord with a contemporary audience. Check out this new large-scale production of Steinbeck’s iconic story.

from £15.00

Where to go near Winter Gardens Theatre

Morecambe
Theatre
Morecambe Winter Gardens

The Grade II listed Morecambe Winter Gardens opened its doors to the public on 17 July 1897 designed to be both a grand variety theatre and a concert hall.

Morecambe
Tourist Attraction
SHIP
at Half Moon Bay

A striking Corten steel sculpture by artist Anna Gillespie celebrating Morecambe’s maritime heritage. Outdoors, and perfect for walkers.

The Bay Cycle Way is a perfect introduction to long-distance cycling. Morecambe Bay is one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the UK.
Morecambe
Tourist Attraction
Bay Cycle Way

The Bay Cycle Way is a perfect introduction to long-distance cycling, and passes through some of the UK’s most beautiful coastline.

Lancashire
Music venue
The Platform

Music, comedy, dance, drama and children’s shows in an Edwardian railway station, opposite The Midland Hotel.

Morecambe
Morecambe Bay

A significant natural landmark along the west coast, Morecambe Bay is home to an open-water swimming group who have over 2000 members.

White Elephant Gallery, Morecambe
Morecambe
Gallery
White Elephant Gallery

White Elephant gallery is a radical art space that has set out to bring cutting-edge contemporary art to the seaside town of Morecambe.

Culture Guides

the artist
Music in the North

The outsiders, the oddities and the outrageous – we’re keeping it weird with a hot new batch of underground gigs about to hit Manchester, Leeds, and Liverpool.

A woman with black curly hair sings on stage in front of a red curtain
Cinema in the North

David Lynch, International Women's Day and Manchester Film Festival are amongst our cinematic highlights this March.

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

DaDaFest’s 40th anniversary line-up, contemporary reimaginings and outlandish fringe, check out our top theatre picks for spring onwards.

A large sphere floats in a dark room with an ornate wall pattern, flanked by two arched windows and a checkered floor.
Exhibitions in the North

From precarious ceramics to photography festivals, spring is here and brings with it a breath of fresh air in visual art and exhibitions.

Poet Imtiaz Dharker. Photo by Ayesha Dharker
Literature Events in the North

It's like the Woolies pick'n'mix counter this month in live literature land – so much choice, we're not sure where to start digging in.

Classical Music in the North

Read our latest highlights from the live classical music offer in Manchester and the North, taking in a number of the region's most cherished orchestral forces and venues.