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.

 

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

A Tale of Two Cities, The Grand Theatre, Blackpool,11-15 Oct, Lancaster Music Festival, 13-17 Oct, Ghost Hunt at Lancaster Castle, 15-16 Oct, Shout! Blackpool Opera House & Winter Gardens, 19 Oct – 3 Nov

Stay
Right at the foot of Pendle Hill, the four star Barley Mow Inn in Barley is the perfect base for exploring the area with the added bonus of also having great menu of hearty food and ales – great for refuelling on a chilly day.

Explore
Led by Samlesbury Hall’s very own resident witch, take a free guided tour to gain an insight into the fascinating and often bloody history of this historic house. Tours run every Sunday.

Relax
Set within 100 acres of the most magnificent Lancashire countryside Woodland Spa near Burnley has been voted Global Spa of the Year in 2015 and 2016.

Discover
Discover curios and wonderful Victorian natural history on display at The Whitaker in Rawtenstall, together with contemporary art and a delicious menu in the museum café which includes Sunday brunch and lunch.

Taste
Explore Blackburn’s new cathedral quarter and stop off for afternoon tea at Café Northcote in the heart of the city, then pop into the famous Blackburn Market Hall to pick up some seasonal treats.

Shop
Choose from a wide selection of contemporary art and craft in the beautiful village of Barrowford from 8-9 Oct. Higherford Mill and Pendle Heritage Centre will host the Pendle Art Fair and Open Studio where shoppers can meet over 40 artists selling the best of northern art and craft

Great Outdoors
Go in search of the 1612 Pendle witches on a walk through the Pendle Sculpture Trail in Aitken Wood, Barley.

For more ideas and inspiration on short breaks in Lancashire read our new guide