Visit Lancashire

A day at Farmer Parrs Animal Farm

After a slow Sunday morning, I decided to load the car with the younger members of my family for a trip to Fleetwood to visit Farmer Parrs Animal Farm.

The journey from Preston started off well; however there was a slight ‘diversion’ through Singleton village and some narrow but quaint country lanes. After half an hour sheep spotting from the loaded car we eventually arrived at a very well sign posted Farmer Parrs.

Eat me, drink me!

Fighting our way through the hoards towards the Rose & Crown for the launch of the first Clitheroe food market, I can only say that this is yet another success for Clitheroe. The market town that put the Ribble Valley on the foodie map with the launch of the Ribble Valley Food Trail has hit the mark again with the launch of its’ fine foods street market. Voted official food town of Lancashire the crowds certainly turned up, maybe it was the free samples of sausage, black pudding and cake that enticed people to the stalls, whatever it was the traders were doing a roaring trade. At the mad hatters tea party themed launch in the courtyard of the Rose and Crown, The Mayor of Ribble Valley presented Nigel Haworth with honorary membership of the chamber of trade. Huge cups and saucers, stilt walkers and even the mad hatter himself, added to the festival atmosphere, the instructions to ‘eat me’ and ‘drink me’ on the varied refreshments were certainly followed to the letter... believe it or not -there are only so many cup cakes one can eat!!

Nikki

For more photos of the day, see Clitheroe Advertiser

Food Show – Fantastic!

When I turned up at Ewood Park, home of Blackburn Rovers, last Sunday in my bright green polo shirt, it wasn’t to support some rival premiership team but to work at Nigel Haworth’s first Fantastic Food Show. And, to quote one of the visitors to the show, it was “absolutely fantastic!”

Stay with the stars

Quality is key to an enjoyable holiday and here at visitlancashire we only promote those businesses who have undergone an assessment by a recognised body. This ensures that you the customer can be assured that your accommodation meets set standards agreed at a national level. In Blackpool we are promoting that message using these on-street banners located at train station and other arrival points throughout the town.

Diane

Check out all our quality assessed places to stay on our website: www.visitlancashire.com

A day to remember: Blackpool Airshow 2010

Blue skies and sunshine were the order of the day as my family and I joined the thousands of others heading towards Blackpool’s South Promenade for the annual air show. After finding a space to sit on the new Spanish steps just past Central Pier, we settled down to watch what was to be an amazing range of flying displays.

A Magic Day Out at Camelot

If you’re looking for a fun filled family day out full of rides, adventure and adrenaline, then head for Camelot Theme Park, I have driven past many times, as it is just off the M6, and decided it was about time I took my family and checked out what the park had to offer.
So off we headed, as you enter the park you’ll see a whole host of rides.

Guest Blog: Martin Hargreaves, senior chef de partie at Stanley House

Twenty-four year old Martin Hargreaves, senior chef de partie at Stanley House Hotel’s fine dining restaurant Cassis, was crowned Lancashire Young Chef of the Year in at the LETS Awards (Lancashire Excellence in Tourism Skills) in November 2009 before going on to compete in the finals of North West Chef of the Year 2010.

Martin, from Hoghton near Preston, trained at Blackburn College and has worked at Stanley House since it opened nearly six years ago. He started as a trainee in the Cassis kitchens and then moved to the pastry kitchen as a commis chef for two years. He was promoted to senior chef de partie last year. This is his blog:

A magical evening with Peter Pan

It’s a rare event; an annual pilgrimage; an experience passed from one generation to the next. The Dukes’ walkabout performance is here again, to be precise for the 24th year running and this year it’s Peter Pan.

The production itself was beautifully crafted moving from the Darling household, where Peter Pan first appears to Wendy and teaches her to fly, to Neverland and the Lost Boys with the first half concluding in a spectacular scene of mermaids, bubbles and pirates on the lake. Each scene delighting young and old, who de-camp enthusiastically to each location with their fold out chairs, rugs and in some cases very full picnic baskets!

Working at Clitheroe Castle

Rachel Jackson has been Site Manager at Clitheroe Castle Museum since it re-opened in 2009 following major restoration work. I met Rachel in early 2010 to find out more about one of Lancashire’s newest visitor attractions and what it’s like to work in the museum.

Rachel starts by telling me that they have been very busy since the museum re-opened and that she’s working on a number of projects including two with a local school on a media project to produce a film of the castle and another to organise a one day Norman experience in the grounds of the castle. It is clear that Rachel likes the hands on approach to learning;

Spotlight on: Go Ape!

Go Ape! at Rivington, Nr Chorley has been crowned Lancashire’s Best Tourism Experience of the Year and what an experience it is. Where else can you have such an exhilarating up in the trees adventure? With high-wire tree crossings, zip wires and stomach-hollowing Tarzan drops from a 40 feet platform, all surrounded by the picturesque scenery of reservoirs and woodlands in this beautiful part of Lancashire. 

Having opened in 2009 to add to the many courses throughout the UK, Rivington appeals to a wide range of customers all looking for something different from a day out – a great adventure and of course great fun! They even welcomed a 90 year old lady which proves you are never too old to Go Ape!