Visit Lancashire

Brontë Rambles in Lancashire

Although much more associated with Yorkshire, The Brontë sisters actually spent much of their lives in Lancashire walking from the family home at Haworth across the South Pennine Moors. Charlotte and Emily Brontë are thought to have frequently visited the picturesque hamlet of Wycoller near Colne and in particular the secluded ruins of Wycoller Hall. The Hall is said by several experts to be the model for Ferndean Manor in Charlotte Brontë’s novel Jane Eyre and was used to illustrate the 1898 edition.

There is now a four and a half mile Brontës in Pendle walk through the countryside visited by the literary sisters, starting in the village of Trawden. The walk includes the beauty spot of Lumb Spout before taking the old moorland pack horse trail to the village of Wycoller and the ruins of the hall. You can’t do the Brontës in Pendle walk without staying at Heathcliff Cottage, a four star self-catering cottage near Colne. Although there are no actual links to the Brontё sisters at this cosy cottage who could resist this tribute to Emily’s famous brooding anti-hero. Download the Brontës in Pendle walk

The story behind the label

It’s been a busy 18 months at Bowland Brewery, not only have they relocated to become part of the exciting redevelopment of Holmes Mill in Clitheroe but they’ve also scooped multiple awards for their great tasting beer including being the winner of the 2016 Lancashire Producers & Makers Award.

Although the Bowland Brewery has being brewing beers for over 12 years prior to the move to Holmes Mill the new team felt that the various beer brands didn’t really reference the brewery’s providence. With this in mind artist Clare Brownlow was commissioned to create unique artwork for the core beers that would better link them to the Bowland location. Using pheasant feathers she painted four animals with links to the area– a hen harrier, pheasant, deer and wild boar- which now grace the bottles, beer clips and indeed the walls of the Beer Hall at Holmes Mill. The new artwork has proved to be a massive hit with sales increasing as a result.

Five things you might not know about Morecambe Bay

Morecambe Bay is a place of big views and big skies. The vast sands and mud flats are nature’s larder for hundreds of thousands of birds, and it is one of the most important places in Britain for birdlife. Alongside this natural splendour the history of the Bay takes us from Stone Age communities to the heyday of the British seaside resort with its Art Deco architecture. Take a stroll, catch the train or ride your bike around this stunning amphitheatre and you’ll see for yourself.

Here's a few things you might not know about the Bay area

1. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and part of the Morecambe Bay Social Area of Conservation, the salt marsh and intertidal flats are a vital feeding ground for a quarter of a million wading birds, ducks and geese. 

2. The historic house Leighton Hall, north of Morecambe, is home to the Gillow furniture making dynasty and still home to the family today. The spectacular Bay backdrop makes a visit here extra special. Look out for events including a regular programme of outdoor theatre throughout the summer.

Well read in the Ribble Valley

Many areas of the UK claim to have inspired JRR Tolkien’s creation of middle earth but the author certainly spent much of his time at Stonyhurst College whilst he was working on Lord of The Rings during the Second World War. Many have found connections with the landscape around Stonyhurst and a number of names which occur in The Lord of the Rings are similar to those found locally. The five and a half mile Tolkien Trail explores the Ribble landscape that may have inspired him, starting and fi nishing at the Shireburn Arms in Hurst Green. Stay for the night or call in for a pint, though we can’t promise you’ll fi nd the Hobbit’s favourite, Barliman’s Best, on tap. Some say that the Shireburn name (local landowners) may have influenced the naming of the River Shirebourn in Lord of the Rings. Whatever the connection this historic 17th century inn is now a welcoming gastro pub, with stylish rooms and is also dog friendly so they get to explore ‘the shire’ as well.