Visit Lancashire

Catching up with the Quirky Traveller

Visit Lancashire are excited to be hosting a visit from award winning travel writer and self-proclaimed ‘happy northerner’ - The Quirky Traveller, Zoe Dawes.

Zoe will be visiting LightPool in Blackpool on 28 Oct and Light up Lancaster on 4-5 Nov.

What do you love about living in Carnforth? It’s a small, friendly place, with good shops and it’s not been tarted up. It’s very handy to get to places. There’s a good train service from the ‘Brief Encounter’ station, it’s only half an hour into the Lake District or Yorkshire, good local transport links and the M6 is on my doorstep.

When you’re not travelling the globe where do you go to relax? Morecambe Bay is just up the road and I often walk along the Jetty or say hi to Eric on the Prom. My favourite local spot to relax is Heysham Barrows; I often wander up there and admire the views across the Bay. Sometimes I just get in my car and set off to explore somewhere new. I’m forever getting lost in the Trough of Bowland; it’s so pretty. Lancaster is just up the road and has a couple of great theatres, plus plenty of pubs and restaurants to eat out with friends.

Top 5 Autumnal Walks in Lancashire (with a pub nearby)

There’s a nip in the air, the skies are clear and the leaves are turning golden – hurray for autumn! Head out for a walk this weekend and then reward yourself with a hearty pub meal, preferably one with a roaring log fire.

1. A Cartford Country Walk- 4 Miles The award winning Cartford Inn have mapped out a leisurely walk that starts and finishes at the inn. Discover the pleasant fields and country lanes that surround the inn. Walk along the banks of the River Wyre before returning over the Cartford Bridge. <<Download walking routes>>

Cycling routes to look out for in Lancashire

Inspired to take up cycling following a fantastic summer of sport? Fancy a new challenge? These new cycling routes are ideal — Leisure Lakes Bikes explains more.

Brun Valley Greenway

Location: The Brun Valley Greenway start at Burnley town centre and leads out into the surrounding countryside.

An introduction to the route: Parks and wooded river valleys are just some of the sights awaiting you along the Brun Valley Greenway route.

Suggested route: Start your journey along the Brun Valley Greenway at Burnley Central Station and follow the route along an old mineral railway. When you reach Netherwood Bridge, it’s up to you whether you prepare for a climb that takes you into Briercliffe and the Queen Street Mill — a tradition steam-powered mill — or cycle along the Brun Valley towards Brownside, Pike Hill and Rowley Lake.

October in Lancashire

Take a stroll along the Leeds-Liverpool canal • go on ghost walk climb to Pendle Hill’s 557 metre high summit • order apple pie for pudding • watch the migrating birds over Morecambe Bay • go stargazing at Beacon Fell Country Park • listen to live music in a country pub • catch the Pendle witches bus tour

Event highlights

RHAPSODY TO THE LEEDS LIVERPOOL CANAL, King George’s Hall, Blackburn, 16 October
Composed and written by Ian Stephens and Ian McMillan, performed by choral voices of all ages, accompanied by the Brighouse & Rastrick Brass Band, soprano, Amanda Roocroft and cellist, Jonathan Aasgaard. 

FLYING SCOTSMAN RETURNS, East Lancashire Railway, Rawtenstall 13-16 October
See this world famous locomotive thunder down the tracks to Rawtenstall. You can take a ride on the Scotsman or watch it drive by throughout the weekend.