Visit Lancashire

Happy Cream Tea Day!

To celebrate the joyous occasion that is National Cream Tea Day here’s a few places in Lancashire where you can get your fix of scones, cream, jam… and all the other treats that make up the veritable treat that is afternoon tea. The only difficult decision is deciding whether to put the cream or the jam on first…..

1. The Midland Hotel, Morecambe
Beautiful views across Morecambe Bay and a fabulous art deco afternoon tea experience. Three tiered selection of Victoria sponge, fruit tartlets, scones and delicate finger sandwiches. Choose from a variety of infused teas, or for more decadence, a glass of champagne.

Go wild with the kids this Summer

Planning days out and holidays when you’ve got children to entertain can be one of the biggest challenges for families. Especially when your little darlings have oodles of energy to burn off and the threatening cry of ‘I’m bored!’ is never far away.  Let them walk on the wild side this summer with these Lancashire attractions.

Brockholes
The fact that Brockholes calls itself an ‘unreserved’ nature reserve, sets the scene for this covers 250 acre reserve just off J31 of the M6, featuring countless trails and hides to explore. As you’d expect of a nature reserve there’s plenty of open space and wildlife to see, but there’s also a large adventure playground, good café and during the summer holidays look out for craft sessions, seasonal trails, open-air theatre and family events which will test your tracking and den-building skills. Did we also mention that entrance to Brockholes is free?

Jane McDonald’s Blackpool

With CATS opening at the Opera House & Winter Gardens we caught up with Jane McDonald to find out why she loves working in Blackpool.

What do you love most about working in Blackpool?
So many reasons! The people are the main reason but the Opera House is one of the best venues in the UK to perform in without doubt.

What three words sum up Blackpool to you?
Vibrant, exciting and welcoming.

Lancashire Agricultural Shows to visit this summer

Agricultural shows are a great way to discover new producers, pick up tasty treats to take home and generally re-connect with our rural heritage. They also make a great family day out over the summer, with a variety of kid’s entertainment and activities, plenty of farm animals to see and some unusual sports to watch.

Great Eccleston Agricultural Show
18 July
Some of the best livestock in the country will be in the main ring, along with horses, sheep, pigs, goats and rare breeds. The tractor pull will take place on both days and the show field will be packed with stalls and produce marquees.

Five reasons to LOVE Museums & Art Galleries in Lancashire

Five reasons to visit museums in Lancashire this summer.

1.       Unique and world class collections
Did you know that Queen Street Mill Textile Museum is the last surviving steam powered weaving mill in the World? Or that Haworth Art Gallery is home to Europe’s biggest collection of Tiffany Glass? Or how about Blackburn Museum’s collection of Illuminated books being the best collection outside the British Library?  And this is just a couple of examples Find out More

Five Castles in Lancashire that you should visit this summer

If the Game of Thrones has given you a love of medieval fantasy, there are plenty of historic castles to visit locally. We can’t promise you any dragons and knights, but you may hear tales of witches and ghosts.

1. Clitheroe Castle

Clitheroe has been dominated by its landmark castle for centuries and is said to have been built in 1186 by Robert de Lacey.

From its vantage point the top of Castle Hill you can see the beautiful Ribble Valley, Pendle Hill and much further afield. The Castle is surrounded by 16 acres of parkland and Clitheroe Castle Museum has a host of interactive permanent exhibitions and a packed schedule of evenst all year round.

Enjoy the sunshine with a backdrop of live music

Enjoy the sunshine with a backdrop of live music - here are some of the best local music festivals taking place this summer in Lancashire

The Beat Herder Festival
This non-conformist festival provides locally sourced food, creative workshops and live performances from artists and DJ’s including Basement Jaxx, Sugarhill Gang and more. Dates: 17 - 19 July 2015 Price:
Tickets for adults (with camping) from £134.00
Location: Sawley, Clitheroe
beatherder.co.uk

Five must do things when you visit the seaside this year

Holidays and days out at the seaside are the stuff of childhood memories. But it doesn’t have to be complicated. Think donkey rides, building sandcastles, fish & chips and you’re already there. Throw in a summer show and you’ve got the makings of a great day out beside the sea.

1. Build a sandcastle, complete with flags and shell decorations
Try the beaches at St Annes, Blackpool, Cleveleys, Fleetwood and Morecambe. Buy an ice cream and encourage the kids to have a donkey ride – what could be simpler? Get more info on beaches in Lancashire

10 Don't Miss Family Events in Lancashire this summer

Make your summer one to remember with these great family events.

Oliver Twist Play in the Park
The UKs biggest walkabout theatre presents Oliver in Lancaster’s stunning Williamson Park. You’ll be begging for more!

When: 3 July – 15 August
Where: Williamson Park, Lancaster
Cost: Tickets from £15

Pretty Lancashire villages that you should visit

It’s a tough job to select Lancashire's best villages to visit, but Lancashire Life have given it a go. See if you agree with their choices.

Downham

Where it is: The village stands in countryside a couple of miles north east of Clitheroe, close to the A59. The nearest railway station is at Clitheroe and if you’re following a satnav, type in the postcode BB7 4DN.

Famous for: The lack of signs, television aerials and other indicators of modern life. Even if you don’t know the village itself, you’re likely to know it from its many appearances on television – because Downham remains largely untouched by the 20th century (let alone the 21st) it is often used as a location for filming period dramas.