Cat Crazy in Lancashire

With the announcement this week that Jane McDonald will be taking the lead in CATS at the Blackpool Winter Gardens over the summer we’ve all gone a bit cat crazy on visitlancashire.com

If you can’t wait until the summer to get your feline fix here’s a few ideas for a purrfect day out.

1. The big cats at Blackpool Zoo.

See the ‘Pride of Blackpool’, three African Lions that can be viewed at very close quarters , and two Amur Tigers with their cubs, born in June last year. If you love big cats then book on the zoo’s Big Cat experience.  You’ll get to help clean out the cat’s enclosures, an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the big cat house, and the pretty amazing opportunity to fence feed Zambar, one of the Amur tigers.

2. Tiger and Python at the Whitaker Rossendale Museum & Gallery, Rawtenstall

Still fighting after two hundred years – the Tiger and Python is considered to be one of the finest and earliest pieces of taxidermy in the world. So famous there is even a painting of it in the Louvre Museum in Paris! See the tiger and more at the Whitaker and it’s completely free to visit (though you might want to try the homemade cakes in the café)

3. Cat in the Hat at the Atkinson, Southport

Dr Suess’s famous book comes to life with a troublesome cat wearing a very tall hat from 17-18 April at the Atkinson. This family play is packed full of mischief and fun and a great way to introduce younger children to the theatre (suitable for ages 3+).

4. King of the Cats Exhibition and activities at Lancaster City Museum

This contemporary art exhibition is themed around Lancashire folk lore and includes work by artists Marjan Wouda, Jacqueline Harris, Julie Miles, Patricia Ramsden and Christopher Rainham. On Saturday 18 April visitors can join Julie Miles to make create characters from a single sheet of clay. From 10am-4pm. And you get to take home your creation.

5 . Meerkats at Bowland Wild Boar Park nr Chipping

Not quite cats in the true sense but we couldn’t leave these fun, furry creatures out. Set in 65 acres of the beautiful Forest of Bowland AONB, Bowland Wild Boar also offers chick holding, lamb feeding, wallabies, deer and of course Wild Boar.  A great family day out, with lots of fresh air, animals and tractors – what’s not to like?

 

And finally if all else fails treat yourself to a bottle of Moorhouse’s Black Cat ale or join one of their popular brewery tours - cheers!

CATS is at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool from 9 July – 6 September, staring Jane McDonald. Tickets start from £20. For more information click here