Visit Lancashire

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!

Spotlight On: Newton Hall

The Caravan Holiday Park of the year winner of the Lancashire and Blackpool Tourism Awards for 2010 is the four star family owned Newton Hall Holiday Park. Conveniently located to Blackpool with all the attractions of the award winning seaside resort close by  the site is set in beautifully landscaped parkland and is suitable for families looking for a caravan holiday park with a range of caravans for hire with modern, fully equipped facilities, which are a perfect home from home base.  The holiday homes are available to hire for a week or for a short break.

Industrial Revolutionaries at the Harris Museum

Friday saw the launch of the brand new Industrial Revolutionaries exhibition at the Harris Museum & Art Gallery in Preston, which runs until Nov. Since my first visit to the Harris Museum last year I have been a big fan, so I needed very little persuasion to attend the big unveiling.  Dan Cruickshank, along with other dignitaries, had the honour of opening the exhibition, and his passion for the workers movement, and indeed the Harris itself, was evident in his opening speech.

Anyway, on to the important stuff, what’s the new exhibition about?

National Road Race Championship in the Glorious Pendle Countryside

Yesterday I was lucky enough to see the very best of British sport. Heading along the M65 towards Pendle the Lancashire countryside looked glorious in the sunshine, sunshine that would become challenging for the competitors later in the day.

Spotlight On: The Highwayman

The Highwayman, winner of the Taste Lancashire category in this year’s Lancashire tourism awards, began life as an 18th century coaching inn.  How appropriate then, that it is now tempting thousands of modern day travelers to venture along Nether Burrow’s charming highways and byways to enjoy some of the best regional food ever served in this landmark inn.

The Highwayman is part of the expanding Ribble Valley Inns group, owned by celebrity chef and BBC2’s Great British Menu winner, Nigel Haworth. As with all Nigel’s ventures, the emphasis is firmly placed on sourcing food locally, knowing (personally) who grew it, reared it, harvested it, then creating dishes to capture the seasonal fresh flavours. The Highwayman champions local produce and producers not just in their menus but on the walls and placemats!

Spotlight on: Old Shippon at Mellor

Not far from the M6 and located in the picturesque village of Mellor, you’ll find the award-winning Old Shippon and what a hidden gem it is! A collection of luxurious apartments offering wonderful self-catering accommodation that just makes for one incredible stay.

Spotlight on: Leyland Hotel

Located in the heart of Lancashire is the Best Western Premier Leyland Hotel, winner of the Large Hotel of the Year category at the recent Tourism Awards. This 4 star accommodation has undergone a major refurbishment over the past couple of years and with manager Terence Southward at the helm is rightly deserving of this accolade.

With easy access from the motorway and set in it’s own grounds all the bedrooms feature 28” flat screen tv’s, CD players, power shower units and high quality bedding throughout whilst the Liberty Rooms, are designed specifically with the lone female traveller in mind and feature GHD straighteners, cotton wool balls, gowns, slippers and scales! The hotel also features free access to the internet through out, local delicacies on check-in and even a library (I challenge anyone to read a chapter in the ten foot high chair found in reception).

Spotlight on: The Midland Hotel, Morecambe

The 2010 Small Hotel of the Year is the four star Midland Hotel in Morecambe, this stunning Art Deco hotel is situated on the famous Morecambe promenade with stunning views of Morecambe Bay.

Spotlight on: Mytton Fold Hotel & Golf Complex

The 2010 Tourism Awards winner for the Access category went to Mytton Fold Hotel and Golf Complex, a fabulous 3 star hotel with 43 fully en suite bedrooms.

Family run, surrounded by 100 acres of its own gardens and grounds  the hotel provides fabulous conference and meeting facilities, committed to sourcing locally and providing the very best of local food for their customers, together with an outstanding  18-hole par 72 golf course.

Spotlight on: Clough Bottom Farm

Winners of this year’s Sustainable Tourism Award, Clough Bottom Farm, are a four star self-catering business with Gold credentials in being green.

Set on a working organic farm, there are the three self catering cottages at Clough Bottom Farm, which have been converted from stone-built farm buildings. The cottages are surrounded by really beautiful countryside (the Forest of Bowland no less) and a working farm – so there are lots of wildlife and farm animals around including free range chickens, geese and cattle. (When I visited in April I met Kevin the calf)