More and more holidaymakers are choosing to explore Britain rather than head overseas. Mark Tallentire heads off to Morecambe in the North West.

SITTING within an hour’s drive of the treasures of the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales, a train ride from the sights and sounds of Merseyside and Manchester and under two hours from the North-East, Morecambe is blessed by location.

And that’s without mentioning what the seaside town itself has to offer visitors – or the superb qualities of our destination for a two-night weekend stay in mid-October: The Midland Hotel.

A four-star, iconic art deco hotel, the gleaming white, bow-shaped Midland stands proud on the Lancashire seafront, even water side of the coast-hugging Marine Road, and right next to Morecambe Leisure Park.

There is ample space in the hotel’s own free car park and, having passed the charming oversized deck chairs that stand either side of the glass entrance, visitors are greeted by a sumptuous, elegant lobby. It’s as though the futurist dreams of the late 1940s and early 1950s never failed to come to be. It’s smart, it’s stylish, it’s chic. But it’s warm and welcoming too.

My wife and I arrived shortly after lunch on a Friday, in the hope of dropping our bags and spending the afternoon exploring the town. We were in advance of our guaranteed check-in time, but the room was ready and we were kindly allowed in: a pleasant start after the drive over.

Sadly, the lift was broken. Well, not broken, but apparently not reliable enough to let guests use it without being accompanied by a member of staff. What help they were supposed to be if it broke down, I’m not sure. Perhaps they tell jokes.

Regardless, our chaperoned one-storey journey with suitcases passed without disruption and we looked round our home for the next two evenings. I liked it; my wife loved it.

Everything was hidden away: the television, tea and coffee making facilities, wardrobe and even the bathroom were cleverly concealed behind pull-back bits of “wall”. I wouldn’t be surprised if some guests had come and gone without ever knowing they had an en-suite. But while I thought it clever and quirky, Sarah was completely won over. I think it brought out her inner geek. To paraphrase Doctor Who’s travelling companions, it certainly seemed bigger on the inside.

There was also a seafront balcony, offering stunning sunset views over Morecambe Bay. And, having dropped our bags, it was out onto the seafront that we went in search of saucy postcard-like scenes and men wearing socks and sandals with handkerchiefs on their heads.

In the event, there were no such outdated curiosities and what we found instead was a pleasant, if brisk, promenade, a lovely little beach café (although sadly not selling any of its long list of ice creams on that particular Friday afternoon), one or two interesting book shops and a statue of Eric Bartholomew, who chose the name of his birth place for his stage name and became one half of the legendary Morecambe and Wise. The attractive statue shows Eric in classic pose, although with night falling the Lancashire climate left me humming “Bring Me Sunshine” for an entirely unrelated reason.

Back to the hotel, then, for a warm-up shower and coffee and what turned out to be a wonderful dinner. The Midland may be famed for its afternoon teas – there were certainly plenty of pleased-looking pensioners tucking in as we arrived a few hours earlier – but The Sun Terrace restaurant does a quite wonderful evening menu too.

Looking out through tall glass windows over the Bay towards the twinkling lights of the Furness peninsula, Sarah and I were immensely pleased by the pea and sun blushed tomato risotto and onion tart for starters, cornfed chicken with fondant potato and stone bass for main course and double chocolate brownie with orange and marshmallow and cardamom crème brulee with shortbread for dessert.

There were plenty of local fish dishes to choose from, a strong wine list and an impressive selection of British cheeses, each with precise descriptions. Breakfast the next morning was superb too and the service we received was excellent throughout.

There is a spa on site, though it is distinct from the hotel. Guests have use of a swimming pool at Lancaster House Hotel, but that’s eight miles away, so one would have to be pretty keen for a swim to take advantage.

The bar also boasts a seafront view and special mention must be made of the grand staircase, which snakes round the domed atrium, under the watch of a Greek mythology-esque mural on the ceiling above. It made me feel quite the noble coming down for dinner.

The Midland is perhaps not accustomed to many family visits. A cot and high chair were available, but with no bath in the room the absence of a borrowable baby bath made things somewhat difficult and starting breakfast earlier than 8am would be welcome.

Sadly, our 13-month-old was somewhat under the weather that weekend (apologies if you were in room 106) so we had to cut short our stay by a few hours, but The Midland is a superb destination; well worth resisting the temptations of sunnier climes.

TRAVEL FACTS

The Midland, Marine Road West, Morecambe, Lancashire, LA4 4BU.

Website: englishlakes.co.uk

Reservations: 0330-4042-674

General Enquiries: 01524-424-000

Email: themidland@englishlakes.co.uk

Tariff: From £116 per room per night, based on two adults sharing a twin/double room and are inclusive of bed and full English breakfast