Visit Lancashire

‘ave an horrible day at Blackpool Tower Dungeon

A preview of the new Blackpool Tower Dungeon before it opened to the public was not a decision taken lightly (I usually require someone to hold my hand when faced with the average fairground ghost train) but there I was in the brilliant Blackpool sunshine standing outside the entrance, waiting for the scariness to start.  

The Blackpool Tower Circus

My husband and I and our two grand children aged 11, visited the Blackpool Tower Circus this month. We were not too enthusiastic and were half expecting the same old drawn out acts and slap stick clowns we had experienced with our own children many years ago. We were also concerned that the children, more used to modern forms of entertainment may have found the performance tame. How wrong we were. The show was vibrant, exciting, breathtaking and continually full of surprises. There was never a dull moment with Mr Boo and Mooky, their antics had us all laughing. It is so refreshing to see a class act which is good family entertainment.

Merlin & The Legend of King Arthur - walkabout theatre from The Dukes

A few of visit Lancashire team saw Merlin last night.... this is what we all thought.

"After a busy day in the office you don’t always fancy going out – or is that just me?  But last night I was so glad I headed (with some friends) to Lancaster for the Duke’s walkabout production of Merlin  in Williamson Park. The threat of rain having passed and with clear, stunning views over Morecambe Bay we embarked on a mini adventure around this enchanting park.

Sally goes cycling in Blackpool

Collecting bikes from the South Pier cycle hire station in Blackpool was very easy once we’d registered and with a firm tug we released our trusty bikes from the automated racks and headed off along the promenade. The new wide open spaces created along the promenade are great for cyclists creating plenty of room for everyone (including the donkeys when the tide was in) and we were soon zipping along with the wind in our hair. 

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

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.

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!

The changes at Samlesbury Hall

It’s a place I went to often as a child and a regular day out whenever the relations came over from Italy; they loved the hall, to them it was the epitome of an English house (and a fine example of one to boot!) which they still talk about to this day.  So, going back to Samlesbury Hall after some time and having the benefit of Director Sharon Jones as guide, was a bit of a revelation.

Things have changed at Samlesbury.  Not the wonderful moment you turn the corner on the drive to see the splendour of the black and white timbers or, the beautifully kept gardens (literally springing-into new life after our seemingly endless winter) no, the real changes are within the hall itself.

Obsessed with Ken Hom

Having met the legend that is Ken Hom today at Northcote during the Obsession 10 festival, we asked Ken your questions posed on Twitter...

What is your favourite wine?
Mr Hom said, “People often think that wine doesn’t go with Chinese food but I disagree; one because I like drinking wine and if you are having a Chinese dish of duck or pork I think a red wine really complements the dish.  A red wine from France or the new world would be my choice!