Things to do in Lanchashire

England’s north-west is probably best known for the Lake District as a holiday destination, or for the seaside resort of Blackpool. Nestled between those unlikely partners, is the rest of Lancashire. With the Irish Sea to the west and the Pennine hills to the east, the county has plenty of geography to give it a sense of place. It’s also relatively unspoilt as most people hurtle through en-route to Scotland.
Walking in Lancashire
So why stop hurtling? The scenery and the walking are just two of the reasons. The Forest of Bowland is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The rolling moorland is peaceful and the are is very good for bird watching. Morecambe Bay is designated as a Ramsar site for the wealth of birdlife that come to feed on the mudflats. There are also many river walks, including the Wyre Way and along the banks of the Lune, historically revered as a beauty spot. Combine walking with a visit to one of the many country pubs or tea shops that serve the best of local produce.Garstang holds an annual Walking Festival with guided walks in May that is a good introduction to the area.
Lancashire's Canals
The loops of the Lancaster Canal provide some of the best views of the area. Pleasure cruises are popular and the vista of the Bowland Fells, viewed whilst quietly puttering along through the fields, eye-to-eye with the local herons or even kingfishers, is second-to-none. Traditional canal boats are also available for longer hire and make a good family holiday, particularly if someone needs to be ‘doing something’ whilst relaxing...
Lancaster
The city of Lancaster also has plenty to offer. It has the oldest working prison in the country; still located in the castle and the children can experience the dungeon first-hand. There are Roman ruins behind the castle and for breathtaking views of the Lake District across Morecambe Bay, Williamson Park is the place to be. On a clear day, from the top of the Ashton Memorial the hills of the Lake District across Morecambe Bay, Blackpool Tower and Snowdonia are visible, although clear days are probably the rarest thing in Lancashire. Williamson Park also stages outdoor theatre events each Summer.
Lancaster was a very wealthy place during the 18th century. Imported cotton fed the mills in exchange for goods and slaves from the Empire, allowing the city to flourish. This heritage can be seen in the architecture and the grim truth behind the wealth is well-explained at the Maritime Museum. The British obsession with tea is encapsulated in Atkinson’s - an old tea shop with all the original fittings, a stove to roast coffee beans and fragrant, old tea caddies makes a worthwhile detour from the typical high street shops.
Garstang
A typical market town between Preston and Lancaster, Garstang has many historic features including a traditional High Street with many small, speciality shops. A weekly market is held on a Thursday and the Market Hall has a superb cheese stall with local delights including Garstang Blue. Cheese is a local speciality due to the prevalence of dairy farming in the area although some have diversified into that most delicious of holiday pleasures... ice cream. For a small town, there are many events throughout the year. There is an Arts Festival in August, a Victorian Christmas Fayre and a Childrens' Festival in May. Fairtrade Fortnight is also a time for events because Garstang is officially the World's First Fairtrade Town.
Blackpool
If this all sounds too sensible, head to Blackpool. Visit the Pleasure Beach, stroll down the prom, walk on the pier and admire the exciting new landscaping, complete with glitter ball. Finish off on a tram and take in the Illuminations at the beginning of September to get the full northern experience, with wind-swept fish and chips for tea.
Accommodation
Lancashire has holiday accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets. Blackpool, as a family holiday destination has many caravan parks where it is possible to rent a holiday home in the form of a static caravan. Campsites are numerous. Holiday cottages are also available in the area. Hotels and country clubs offer a more luxurious stay. One of the nicest places is the Inn at Whitewell, a traditional country pub with beautiful rooms in the heart of Bowland. It also offers a high standard of food in the restaurant. It's not cheap, but makes a fantastic weekend break or a treat just for a night.
Travelling to Lancashire
There are two major airports within easy reach, Liverpool John Lennon and Manchester. By car, Lancashire is approximately four hours from London, depending on the traffic, but much faster by train. Major stations on the west-coast mainline are Preston and Lancaster and the journey from London is less than three hours long. Car-hire is widely available from major companies.
Lancashire is a diverse and interesting part of the UK and well worth visiting. The local tourist information centre can give more information about things to do and places to stay. Don't just drive past...