Visit Lancashire

2017 Highlights #Wherelifefeelsgood

With new restaurants, hotels, unusual accommodation offerings and a host exciting events, 2017 is already shaping up to be another exciting year for Lancashire. Here’s a quick preview of the highlights but you can read more in the 2017 Lancashire Visitor magazine

New gourmet destination
Led by award winning chef Mark Birchall the brand new Moor Hall Restaurant with Rooms in Aughton will open its doors in March. Lancashire born Mark Birchall, who was most recently the Executive Chef of 2 Michelin Star L’Enclume in the Lake District, is at the helm of this new Lancashire gourmet experience. Read more

Hamlet and Huts
After opening the Shepherd Hut Hamlet in 2016, Samlesbury Hall will be adding more new Shepherd Huts in 2017. These colourful huts provide a rustic and carefree alternative to a traditional hotel room. Beautifully handcrafted, complete with two double beds, electricity and cosy en suite. Read more

New life for the Mill
Holmes Mill, on the edge of Clitheroe town centre, is already part way through its transformation into the town’s latest food and drink experience. In addition to the stunning Beer Hall (with the longest bar in Britain), café, gelateria and shop, a first phase of hotels rooms will open in May. Read more

My Lancashire by Nigel Haworth

Chef Patron of the multi award winning Northcote and Ribble Valley Inns group, and all round Lancashire food champion, Nigel Haworth tell us about his Lancashire.

Q. What do you love about living in Lancashire?
A. I am very fortunate that I live in a beautiful village called Ribchester in the Ribble Valley and have access to the Trough of Bowland and the beautiful Bowland Fells. Despite living in a small village surrounded by farmland and hills we’re not that far from Blackburn and Preston – its great being able to get around the county so quickly.

Q. What do you do to relax when you’re not in the kitchen?
A. Watching Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park is a big passion of mine, although it’s not very relaxing. I also enjoy running and walking through the fi elds and lanes around Ribchester. My wife and I take our Golden Retriever, Rocky up to Longridge Fell and Jeffrey Hill, all the space is so reinvigorating and the views across Lancashire and out to the coast are amazing.

Lancashire Visitor Magazine 2017

We are very excited to reveal our brand new Lancashire Visitor Magazine

 

Take a look - It's packed full of features, interviews and listings including

• A Lancashire Feast from our award winning chefs
• 24 hour Short Break Guides
• Brewing up a Storm – the award winning Bowland Brewery in its new home at Holmes Mill
• Lancashire Spa Guide – you deserve it!
• Lancashire from above – some of the stunning photography captured by SkyOptics
• Walk in the Footsteps of Literary greats
• 2017 Events & Festivals guide

Happy reading!

We look forward to welcoming you to Lancashire in 2017

For more information go to visitlancashire.com

If the link above doesn't work try - https://issuu.com/visitlancashire/docs/lancashire_visitor_magazine_2017_-_

 

 

January in Lancashire

Treat yourself with a spa break • fly a kite on the beach • go bird spotting • visit an art gallery • drink hot chocolate • go to a traditional
Lancashire market • see the ballet • have a weekend break • build a log fire • go dry slope skiing • face your fear and tackle an indoor climbing wall • build a snowman • take a taste of Lancashire cookery course at Northcote.

 

Event Highlights

OBSESSION - Northcote, 20 Jan - 5 Feb 2017

17 years of culinary excellence at Northcote. It’s a feast in every sense of the word, a celebration, a fiesta, a festival of incredible food and wine.

The Nutcracker - Grand Theatre, Blackpool, 16 Jan 2017

Performed by The Russian State Ballet of Siberia and accompanied by a live orchestra The Orchestra of the Russian State Ballet. As snowflakes fall outside, the warm glow of the open fire sends flickering shadows across the boughs of the Christmas tree and all the presents beneath.

Sing-a-long-a Sound of Music - Grand Theatre, Blackpool, 21 Jan 2017

Sing-a-Long-a Sound of Music is a screening of the classic Julie Andrews film musical in glorious, full-screen Technicolor, complete with lyric subtitles so that the whole audience can sing along.

5 Pubs with a Fire

With the winter chill in the air what better way to spend one day keeping warm in front of a roaring fire. We've compiled a list of five pubs that have just that, so sit back, relax and enjoy the festivities.

1. The Fleece Inn, Dolphinholme - Lancaster

Welcoming people to the idyllic and historic village of Dolphinholme is the Fleece Inn, situated on the edge of Forest of Bowland an area of natural beauty. Wash down some top quality food with a wide range of craft ales. Sit in front of any of the four roaring fires in the rustic inn and enjoy the relaxing beauty of the countryside.

10 Unusual Gift Ideas

With Christmas around the corner and Santa soon on the way you might be in that ‘last minute present panic’ but don’t worry here’s a list of 10 unusual but amazing gift ideas in Lancashire.

 

1. Zookeeper for the day at Blackpool Zoo

Become a zookeeper for the day at Blackpool Zoo and get up close and personal with some of the most endangered creatures on the planet. They can expect to bathe an elephant and feed a range of the breath taking species such as giraffes, penguins and lemurs. An opportunity like no other to experience the thrills of this amazing job. Vouchers are available to buy on the website but for more info on Blackpool Zoo click here.

The dog blog for Samlesbury Hall

Woof woof, here am I the fantastic Cookie, the naughtiest black Labrador.  I like to think of myself as Cookie of Samlesbury Hall.  

My owner is Sharon Jones (THE BOSS!) She’s a bit of a softie sometimes but she can’t half shout at us when she wants!! 

My auntie Billie lives with us and we come to Samlesbury Hall to work every day.  

There is also Belle the ginger Patterdale terrier, she belongs to Catherine.  Catherine counts the money that comes in and goes right back into the charity (not sure what that is!)

This last week we have been very excited, there have been lots of Christmas trees delivered and there has been a lady who has put lots and lots of sparkly things and fruity things and spicy things on…there are also lots and lots of lights on all of them and they look very pretty.

I have been told off for pinching the oranges off the trees and eating them... I only nibbled at a little bit.

Anyway woof…I’m off now, going home for my tea… I’ll be back soon woof woof.

There’s lots happening in Lancashire over the Christmas period – See what's on our page for full listings.

 

Top 5 Santa Experiences in Lancashire.

Top 5 Santa Experiences in Lancashire.

Despite the bitter winds and chill in the air it’s the most exciting month of the year. With Christmas fast approaching and a feeling of nostalgia lingering what better way to get the family into the seasonal spirit than by taking the little ones to see Santa himself. The annual Christmas visit plays a huge part in Childhood memories so why don't you check out what's on offer nearby and let the magic come to life...

 

1.The Lapland Experience – Thornton Hall Farm, Skipton.

All aboard the Christmas Express! A festive experience like no other! Head over to Thornton Hall and take a trip to Lapland to meet Santa and his Elves in his Grotto. Prepare to be fascinated in the enchanted storytelling area and enjoy tales by the cosy fire away from the cold. This Santa experience also includes a personalised gift for your little ones to take away. On until 23^rd Dec, more info about tickets here.

December in Lancashire

Go to the panto • see a historic house decorated for Christmas • listen to a choir • visit a Christmas market • ice skating • indulge in festive foods • make a wreath for your door • go beach combing on Fleetwood beach • join a guided walk • enjoy a quiet moment at a nature reserve • visit a craft fair

Event highlights

WHALLEY PICKWICK FESTIVAL, 1 December
A Dickensian evening festival with stalls, live music, a visit from Father Christmas and plenty of warming festive foods to try. 

CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR GALA CONCERT , Blackburn Cathedral, 10 December
The choirs of Blackburn Cathedral join with an orchestra to present their ever popular gala concert.

GARSTANG VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS MARKET, 12-13 December
An annual festive treat with stalls, food, live music and entertainment with a Victorian theme.

 

Be Prepared for a Wild Christmas

 

December is a time when we all have a lot on our minds – pantomimes, presents and parties. It’s also a time when our wildlife needs a bit of help to survive the colder conditions.

Yes, even on Christmas Day I will remind myself that the bird tables need to be stocked up with food before I open my gifts.

Food is scarce at this time of year with insects hiding away in deep crevices. Foraging time is reduced as the days are shorter and a good supplementary supply of food is necessary.

Of course winter will be quickly followed by spring so birds and mammals must build up energy supplies not just for cold nights but for a whole season of mating, something to look forward to when you are shivering in a leafless tree.

Some of our younger birds and animals are also fending for themselves for the first time this winter, so a bird table is a major part of their survival.

You will probably see robins, blackbirds, sparrows and starlings. Tits and finches are also still around. Watch out for flocks of starlings, jackdaws and pied wagtails. It appears the mild conditions so far are going to make this a great winter for waxwings too. These beautiful birds will flock to berries in your garden.