Visit Lancashire

Welcome to Lancashire 2018

There is something for everyone, with countryside, canals, coast and towns. Enjoy stunning views, quiet lanes, rare wildlife and our famous Lancashire coastline.

There is the unique, wildlife rich Morecambe Bay in the north to the flat and fertile coastal plains around Ormskirk and the Ribble Estuary. The world-famous seaside town of Blackpool with its iconic Tower in the west to the undulating fells and moorland of the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the famous Pendle Hill in the east, visitors to Lancashire are truly spoilt!

Here is a glimpse of what you can expect from Lancashire throughout 2018...

Woodland Walks and Winter Picnics around Morecambe Bay

Just because it’s winter that’s no excuse to pack away the picnic gear and hide away indoors. On a crisp, clear, late winter day there is nothing more lovely than packing a picnic, with a flask of hot tea or soup, and heading out into the sunshine.

The cool air may nip at your nose but the early rays of the sun will warm your face making you feel a whole lot better than if you’d stayed cooped up inside. There are some spectacular spots to explore around the bay and some excellent local shops from which to get your picnic – don’t settle for a soggy sandwich, get some fresh rolls from the local baker and some meats or pies from the local deli and enjoy a proper Morecambe Bay experience.

It's Pantomime Time! Oh yes it is!

That time of year is upon us once more, panto season.
Grab your coat and the kids, it’s time to make your annual festive trip to the theatre and enjoy some thigh slapping good fun!

If you are looking for some good old fashioned ‘it’s behind you’ laughs for the whole family, boy have we got some treats waiting for you in Lancashire.

Free Festive Family Fun

Free festive family fun all wrapped up at Fleetwood Market. 

It’s not a trick, we’ve a real treat in store for market shoppers this autumn/winter at Fleetwood Market.
 
Artist in Residence Linda Copeland will be hosting a range of arts and crafts sessions from mid-October onwards. We then have a spooky magic show for Halloween weekend followed by lots of festive fun in December including strolling Christmas trees, Carol Singers and new for this year – our Cosy Living Room, which will reflect a traditional Lancashire Christmas.

Caught On Camera

If you’ve ever wondered where your favourite TV series was filmed, or been momentarily distracted by a stunning view in the background of a film and thought you’d like to go there, you are not alone. In fact, screen tourism is a growing phenomenon with more people than ever choosing to visit a location they’ve seen on screen. Whether you are inspired by the dramatic scenery or want to re-live your favourite screen moments you are in good company.

Lancashire’s historic buildings, countryside and seaside resorts have provided a backdrop for a wide variety of TV programmes and film, some you might have spotted and others that were cleverly disguised. Here's some to name but a few:

Three Men and a Little Lady – Stonyhurst College

Stonyhurst is probably most famous for its appearance in the 1990 film Three Men and a Little Lady sequel to ‘Three Men and a Baby’ starring Tom Selleck and Ted Danson. The production filmed exteriors of the College.  It was also featured in the Ghostly TV movie Tractate Middoth directed by Mark Gatiss.

Guest blog - Re Lancastrianising Leonora

Edge Hill University in Ormskirk celebrated at the end of June the Centenary of the birth in Lancashire of one of the world's most renowned surrealist artists, Leonora Carrington.

Born in 1917 in Clayton Le Woods, Chorley, and raised in Lancashire, Leonora became a 'national treasure' in her adoptive home of    Mexico, where she lived from 1942 till her death in 2011. She arrived in Mexico via an art fueled adventure that took in the    legendary International Surrealist Exhibition in London in 1936; life with Dadaist and Surrealist, Max Ernst, in France; a catastrophic    breakdown in Spain; escape to New York's artistic milieu followed by a warm welcome from Mexico, a country then liberally    embracing European artists and intellectuals in flight from Nazism.

100+ attendees assembled at the University's 'creative campus' just outside Ormskirk on June 30th for a day of academic papers,    talks, films, dance performances, drama, poetry and short stories, all based on or responding to Leonora's vast repertoire of    creative work, both visual and literary.

International academics from Universities in Ireland, France, Spain, Germany, France and Mexico visited Edge Hill University to take    part in the Symposium, joining many similarly minded from a host of UK Universities.

You Did It! - Crafty Vintage at Lancaster Castle.

What an amazing day! Vegan Hot dogs, Vintage clothes, beer, cupcakes, and a whole load of incredible stalls for you to rummage through! Such a beautiful location, Lancaster Castle! A sunny day was the perfect weather too! 

I spent the day talking to some of the stall holders about their products, Mather and Daughters Vintage, Olivia Alice MUA Vintage and The Little Blue Hen Soap Crafting Company, to name a few! Can we just take a minute to soak in all this vintage lovelyness?!

Everyone was so friendly, ready to show you their vintage finds and hand made items.

There was an incredible mermaid like table, piled with rings, jewels and buttons from Olivia Alice MUA vintage - a beautiful collection.

Top 5 thrills and spills in Lancashire for half term

If you're looking for more adventurous activities for teenagers and older children over half term then look no further.

1.Blackpool Pleasure Beach
The biggest, the fastest and the best. Book in advance for discounted wrist bands.
Rides include the world famous The Big One, the Big Dipper, Infusion, Valhalla, Ice Blast, and the latest addition, Red Arrows Skyforce.
Look out for the construction of a brand new roller coaster due to open in 2018

2. Sandcastle Waterpark, Blackpool
UKs largest indoor waterpark with more than 18 slides and attractions including water slides, fun pools, wave machine and water chutes. The Hyperzone area is reserved for adrenalin seekers!

3. Blackpool Tower Eye and 4D Experience
4D cinema, 380ft panoramic views and thrilling Skywalk over Blackpool's promenade.

4. Blackpool Tower Dungeon
Villains, rouges and rascals feature in 10 shows, special effects and an exciting drop ride. A unique 70 minute thrill-filled journey through 1000 years of Lancashire’s murky past.

5. Go Ape Rivington
Award winning tree top adventure for ages 10+

A Sustainable Future for Browsholme Hall

Amanada Parker, current lady of Browsholme Hall and Deputy Lieutenant of Lancashire might live in a 16th Century historic house but her passion for sustainability means she aims to ensure a future for this exceptional family home for future generations.

Q. An historic house, lived in by the BowBearer of the Forest of Bowland and in continuous family occupation for over 500 years. That’s a great story in itself. Why do you need to pursue sustainable practises?
A. Many in the heritage sector don’t believe that a Grade 1 listed building can support a sustainable business; we have proved it can be done. As a result culturally, economically and environmentally, Browsholme has never been in a stronger place. Looking at every aspect of our family life and the visitor enterprise we undertake sympathetic renovation projects, finding new uses for historic buildings. We have found that we can improve facilities to help to increase visitor numbers that enhance their experience and minimise environmental impact. We have overcome planning, structural and recruitment hurdles by being flexible and innovative in our approach. Energy use has been reduced with a conversion to renewable and efficient sources. Rare wildlife is encouraged with sightings this year of kingfisher and otter, while also securing a habitat for our hedgehog population. Waste and thereby landfill are reduced and visitor numbers are growing.

Screen Tourism in Lancashire

What do Brief Encounter, The Trip and Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children all have in common? Whether it be a quaint railway station, award winning restaurants or iconic landmarks these and many other television programmes and films have been filmed in Lancashire.

If you’ve ever wondered where your favourite TV series was filmed, or been momentarily distracted by a stunning view in the background of a film and thought you’d like to go there, you are not alone. In fact screen tourism is a growing phenomenon with more people than ever choosing to visit a location they’ve seen on screen. Whether you are inspired by the dramatic scenery or want to re-live your favourite screen moments you are in good company. Lancashire’s historic buildings, countryside and seaside resorts have provided a backdrop for a wide variety of TV programmes and film, some you might have spotted and others that were cleverly disguised.

Bookings to the Inn at Whitewell and Hipping Hall (2016 Boutique accommodation of the year in the Lancashire Tourism Awards) went through the roof after Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon visited during The Trip – a six part comedy drama which saw the pair travelling around Lancashire, Cumbria and Yorkshire posing as restaurant critics. These locations weren’t particularly difficult to pin point but did you spot Queen Street Textile Mill in the Oscar winning The Kings Speech and the TV drama an Inspector Calls? Or perhaps Morecambe Winter Gardens in the mini-series Close to the Enemy?