Visit Lancashire

Lancashire Christmas Markets

Make this Christmas special by visiting a local market or fair to some extra special gifts. Wrap up warm, grab a hot a drink and soak up the festive atmosphere.

Here’s some of many great Christmas markets taking place across Lancashire.

Lancashire Christmas Markets - Preston until 3 January 2016

The Lancashire Christmas Market returns to the Flag Market with log cabins selling festive food, drink and gifts. Open for an extended period of time this year, there's even more opportunities to get those presents in.

Meet the main man in the red

There's nothing more exciting for your children than meeting Santa at Christmas. Luckily, he's making appearances all over Lancashire this year.

Take a look at some of the many stops he will be making this year!

• Thornton Hall Farm - 28 Nov – 23 Dec - book in for breakfast, lunch & tea with Santa whilst enjoying lots of other festive fun on the farm

• Brockholes – weekends from 5 – 20 Dec - meet Father Christmas in his grotto at Brockhole’s floating visitor centre

• Rufford Old Hall – weekends from 5 – 20 Dec - Father Christmas is coming to Rufford Old Hall bringing gifts and to take your letters back to the elves

• Hoghton Tower – 13 & 20 Dec – the tower will be beautifully decorated for Christmas, visit Father Christmas and receive a gift from under the tree

• East Lancashire Railway – 28 Nov – 24 Dec - Ride a steam train, get into the spirit with mince pies, sherry, presents and cheer and meet the man himself, Father Christmas

Fascinating Lancashire Stories and Secrets

Lancashire is steeped in history, fascinating stories and secrets.

We thought we would share with you some of our fascinating facts to show you what is waiting for you to discover in Lancashire #WhereLifeFeelsGood.

Did you know?

• Lancashire was established in 1182 – making it one of the youngest historic counties in England
  
  
• The Preston Bypass / M6 was the first motorway to be constructed in the country which opened 5 December 1958
  
  
• Lancashire is 80% rural and covers an area of 3,075 sq km - making it one of the larger shire counties
  
  
• Dunsop Bridge in the Ribble Valley is the centre of the British Isles
  
  
• Lancashire has two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty – Forest of Bowland AONB and Arnside & Silverdale AONB
  
  
• The Forest of Bowland AONB covers 802 square km - making it the same size as New York City in terms of land mass. This includes over 500 listed buildings and 18 scheduled monuments
  
  
• Pendle Hill is only 165ft shy of also being called a mountain
  
  
• Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II is also the current Duke of Lancaster. Since 1399, the title Duke of Lancaster has been held by the reigning Sovereign
  
  
• Lancaster Castle belongs to the Queen. The Shire Hall (within Lancaster Castle) has the country’s largest display of coat of arms shields on view to the public.  Visitors can take an award winning guided tour of the castle
  
  
• Lancaster Castle was the location for the famous witch trials of 1612 which saw 10 people hung for crimes associated with witchcraft
  
  
• The 40 mile Lancashire Witch Driving trail goes from Pendle Hill to Lancaster Castle – and follows the route taken by the accused witches from their home villages to the prison and court in Lancaster
  
  
• Queen Street Mill Textile Museum in Museum is the last surviving, operational steam powered mill in the world
  
  
• Europe’s largest collection of Tiffany Glass can be found at the Haworth Art Gallery in Accrington
  
  
• Still fighting after 200 years, the Tiger & Python, at the Whittaker Rossendale Museum & Gallery in Rawtenstall is considered to be on the world’s finest piece of taxidermy. It’s so famous that there’s a painting, inspired by it, hanging in The Louvre, Paris
  
  
• The Lancaster Canal has forty one miles of waterway without a lock. Making it the longest lock-free stretch of man-made waterway in the country
  
  
• Stonyhurst College and the surrounding Ribble Valley is said to be the inspiration for Tolkien’s Middle-earth from `Lord of the Rings` – his son boarded at the college which he visited regularly
  
  
• Iconic British film Brief Encounter, staring Trevor Howard and Celia Johnson, was filmed on Carnforth station early in 1945. The film was voted the most romantic film of all time and the film’s location was Carnforth Station & Heritage Centre and celebrates its 70^th anniversary on 26 November
  
  
• The Blackpool Tower is half the size of its Parisian cousin, the Eiffel Tower, at 518ft 9in. It takes 7 years to paint Blackpool Tower using 9 tons of paint
  
  
• Britain’s first electronic tram, which revolutionised transport in the whole county, made its debut appearance on the streets of Blackpool on 29 September 1885
  
  
• 1879 was the first year of the world famous Blackpool Illuminations with just eight arc lamps
  
  
• In 1965 the first UK Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant opened its doors in Preston
  
  
• There are 10 Lancashire Cheese Makers all situated within 10 miles of Forest of Bowland AONB. All the cheese makers make Lancashire Cheese in the traditional method using Lancashire milk
  
  
• Beacon Fell traditional Lancashire cheese carries the ‘Protected Designator of Origin’ marquee. (made by Grandma Singletons)
  
  
• The Sirloin cut of beef was created in Lancashire in 1617 when King James I stayed at Hoghton Tower and Knighted the beef he had enjoyed at dinner. Visitors can see the banqueting hall where James I dined and the menu from the famous ‘Sir Loin’ meal
  
  
• Baxters of Morecambe have been producing Morecambe Bay potted shrimps since 1880 – and have retained the Royal Warrant since 1967. The traditional dish is made with brown shrimps and nutmeg
  
  
• There are 23 breweries in Lancashire serving up a variety of award winning cask ales including Hen Harrier and Pendle Witches Brew. Real Ale fans can join the ‘East Lancashire Railway’s ‘Real Ale Trail’ sampling real ale at various stops along the route from Bury to Rawtenstall
  
  
• Fitzpatrick's 1890 - Britain's Last Original Temperance Bar is in Rawtenstall, Lancashire
  
  
• The town of Burnley sells the most French Benedictine per year in the world. They Burnley Miners social club goes through 1000 bottles a year. East Lancashire soldiers drank it in Normandy in First World War, they liked it that much they brought it home.

Enjoy Christmas in Lancashire

Why not make your festive season extra special this year with a Christmas break in Lancashire?

You’ll discover a warm welcome and a touch of sparkle on your visit – along with enough events and special offers to fill a Christmas stocking!

Join us throughout the festive season and make sure you don't miss out on some great prize draws, festive events, including Christmas markets and craft fairs, shows and pantos galore for all the family to enjoy.

Award-winning Lancashire

With contrasting landscapes, diverse heritage and plentiful food and drink, the 3,075 km2 of England’s North West that Lancashire covers is bursting with award-winning accommodation, attractions and experiences.

On 5 November at the stunning Empress Ballroom, Winter Garden Blackpool we celebrated some of the county’s finest tourism businesses and Tourism Superstars.
Be sure to include the winners on your next visit to Lancashire!

A full list of all finalists with the winner in each category highlighted follows:

#WhereLifeFeelsGood

A week tomorrow we will celebrate Lancashire Day - 27th November. 

Lancashire Day allows us the opportunity to declare that we are proud to be Lancastrians!

Lancashire Day commemorates the day in 1295 when Lancashire sent its first representatives to Parliament by King Edward I of England to attend what later became known as The Model Parliament.

We need you! Lets get #LancashireDay #WhereLifeFeelsGood trending!

Avenue Q and Guild Hall Experience

 
Wondering what to do on these long winter nights? Discover Preston’s Guild Hall and Charter Theatre as it undergoes major renovation transforming this cultural Preston City venue into a modern and vibrant hub of activity. Stepping into the imposing brick building an array of shops and trendy bars welcome guests.

Take a stroll through the sweeping corridors into the delightful aromas of authentic restaurants and bars like Mundo Tapas and the irresistible coffee shop Leaf or Bean. Catch up with friends or relax at your leisure tasting Tapas from around the world with only the highest quality and locally sourced ingredients used.

Haunted Lancashire

Lancashire has got a fascinating haunted past, which makes it a great place to visit throughout the year, not just for Halloween. Lancashire is said to be one of the most haunted county in the UK. Take a look through if you dare!

Pendle Hill and Sculpture Trail

The story of the Lancashire witches is one that still evokes intrigue and mystery over 400 years later, aided by the striking natural beauty and often shadowy presence of Pendle Hill. Climb to the top for stunning views or take a stroll through the nearby Pendle Sculpture Trail which includes tributes to the accused witches.

Lancashire Witch Trails

Whilst most of us have heard of the Lancashire witch trials of 1612 but did you know that several ‘Samlesbury witches’ were tried within this trial and found to be innocent. To find out more head to Samlesbury Hall.

Built in 1325 Samlesbury Hall is steeped in fascinating history. With the turbulent history of catholic families, the haunting of Lady Dorothy Southworth (and others), a captivating insight into life from the early 14th to the early 20th Century is all waiting to be discovered.

Or how about scaring yourself silly? Scare attractions such as Farmaggedon near Ormskirk and Scare Kingdom Scream Park - Seven Deadly Sins near Blackburn guarantee to terrify and entertain you in equal measures throughout October and early November. Only for the very brave (or foolish).

Heretics, Halls & Hallowed Ground

Uncover Lancashire’s turbulent religious history via ghostly tales, priest holes, sacred relics, castle cells and holy buildings.

Uncover 500 year old tales at the fine Tudor Rufford Old Hall with its fantastic arms, armour and tapestries and the carved oak screen, a rare survivor from the 1500s. Stay nearby at Cross Farm Holiday Cottages.

Lancaster City of Heritage & Culture

Discover one of England’s Heritage Cities. Discover a small city with a big story - Lancaster.

Visit Lancaster’s castle and museums to uncover the city’s ancient stories hidden in its walls and buildings, and find out more about the people who shaped its history.

Stroll the meandering towpaths of the canal or along St George’s Quay, marvelling at the Georgian architecture which lines the banks of the River Lune.