Visit Lancashire

Celebrate Lancashire Day at the Museum of Lancashire

What connects the man who invented the term ‘dinosaur’, a 16 metre long First World War trench, an archaeological dig and Les Dawson?

Believe it or not, all of them feature in the brand spanking newly re-opened Museum of Lancashire in Preston which celebrates all things great in Lancashire. And what better time to visit than on Sunday 27^th November – Lancashire Day!

Of course we know Lancashire’s great, but I didn’t really appreciate the breadth of scientific discovery, heritage and culture in Lancashire until I’d visited the Museum of Lancashire this week.

Finding out about Lancashire through the discovery of ancient artefacts was a personal favourite, and Lancashire’s history of law and order had me muttering in disbelief at the
sentences served to what seem to be very young offenders. The sights, sounds and smells of the First World War trench are thought provoking and chilling to experience, but on a lighter note, the fun of seaside holidays and music hall entertainers brought a smile
to my face.

I enjoyed listening to authentic ‘lanky’ dialect in the Lancashire’s people gallery and the ‘What I love about Lancashire’ exhibition was fascinating (apparently Lancashire’s countryside is a firm favourite with most people).

As a bonus the whole museum is completely free, so you can dip in and out at your whim. And with a new trendy cafe (I just love the chairs) and gift shop I can see it being a popular for all ages.

Sally

 

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.

Full Steam Ahead!

We recently visited Ribble Steam Railway, based just by Preston docks. With two youngsters with an interest in all things steam, based on their upbringings on Thomas and Friends, we were all looking forward to our trip. There are well known steam heritage lines around the country and the nearest one I think to us is the East Lancashire Railway linking Rawtenstall and Heywood. This one however, is a little hidden gem. There’s a museum full of heritage engines with plenty of easy to follow information, a workshop where you can see what’s being currently done to restore some of the past, a shop, cafe, lots of hands on things for the youngsters and of course, a steam service that takes you about one and a half miles going behind Preston marina and alongside the River Ribble. Car parking is also free. The weekend we visited was their fifth birthday and even got some free cake too!

Embarking on a journey through Lancaster

Armed with a newly printed trail map, my wits and an army of loyal tourist board members, I set forth to try out the new Lancaster Heritage themed Treasure Trail – a heritage themed walking trail through the city of Lancaster with clues to solve along the way.......

Do ghosts roam around Lancaster Maritime Museum?

Do ghosts roam around Lancaster Maritime Museum? Well, personally I remain unconvinced, but the team from Living TV's 'Most Haunted Live' were certainly giving it their best shot to find them. They came to the Maritime Museum as part of the 2009 Halloween special 'Eight Faces of Evil'. As it is live TV, I think they were asking a lot to expect ghosts to perform on cue and for much of the evening they appeared to be in hiding. But Ouija board activity in our fisherman's cottage display and the sense of a murder in the stores of our 18th century warehouse maybe suggested otherwise.  The next day a perceptive visitor remarked that our ghosts 'had all been upset' by the TV crew's interference the night before – but I've yet to find any evidence. Nothing has moved, there are no orbs or spooky groans and, for me, Lancaster Maritime Museum remain a very friendly place to be. But if people want to come down and test the atmosphere for themselves and see if sprits are at play, that's fine by me. All visitors are welcome!

Michelle Cooper, Assistant Keeper, Lancaster Maritime Museum.

My Lancashire Travels...

October is officially heritage month for me – I have visited a number of Lancashire heritage attractions and there’s more to come. At the beginning of the month I visited Whalley Abbey in the Ribble Valley. Unfortunately the rain stopped me having a tramp around the Abbey ruins but I did call into the exhibition and looked around the conference centre. I have to say it is quite exciting driving through the gatehouse into the cobbled courtyard of the Abbey and the village of Whalley is a real ‘English’ village. The Monks tours sounded very interesting – might have to go back for that one.

Jason & the Argonauts in Williamson Park

 

Tuesday evening saw Anna and I heading up to Lancaster for the Dukes Promenade theatre production of Jason and the Argonauts in Williamson Park. The volatile British weather had turned from midsummer heat wave the week before to torrential down pours but that didn’t stop us theatre goers donning our cagoules and heading to the park for an evening of outdoor theatre.

 

Lancaster Lunch

I visited The Borough in Lancaster on Tuesday for lunch with an Irish journalist. I had fish & chips (Fleetwood fish battered to perfection) whilst the journalist had steak & ale pie, with a half of Hen Harrier ale. Great service and lovely food– well worth a visit if you are in Lancaster!