New book reveals West Bay’s Royal Connections.

A fascinating new chapter in West Bay’s history has just been published!

Mike Malley, from Garstang, Lancashire, has completed Forever Memories, telling the story of John Harris, lessee and later owner of Nos. 1 and 2 Pier Terrace in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Researching the Harris family story for 30 years, Mike has uncovered a remarkable collection of original letters, photographs and family memories — including stories of the many distinguished visitors who stayed at Harris’s establishments.

👑 Princes and Princesses
🎓 Oxford University students and academics
👒 A real-life “Mary Poppins” who was governess to Princess Louis of Battenberg
⚓ And the young Lord Louis Mountbatten, whose visits to West Bay are said to have helped establish a lifelong friendship with the Harris family.

Family folklore records eleven visits by members of royalty to West Bay!

There is also a very special connection with West Bay Discovery Centre. Mike first contacted us last year while our Pier Terrace Through Time exhibition was running. Some of his research featured in the exhibition, and although the exhibition has now closed, visitors can still see some of the Harris research in one of our exhibition folders and in one of our films.

The story is particularly personal for Mike, whose late wife and mother-in-law were direct descendants of the Harris family.

📚 Forever Memories is a wonderful reminder that there are still stories waiting to be discovered about the people, families and visitors who helped shape West Bay.