Visit Lancashire

Lancashire, a place… #WhereLifeFeelsGood

With contrasting landscapes, diverse heritage and an abundance of dynamic events and festivities… Lancashire really does have something for everyone. Lancashire boasts an exciting line up of year-round events incorporating a unique blend of humour and quirkiness into the mix. From the renowned Blackpool Illuminations to the Tractor Pulling Championships and Kite Festivals to the outrageous World Gravy Wrestling… there is so much to see!

The landscapes across our beautiful county is home to rugged moorland, meandering rivers and canals, breath-taking countryside and a significant area of stunning parkland enjoyed by locals and visitors alike! Setting the scene, our landscapes really encapsulate the imagination full of creativity which is evident in our rich and varied events.

Permanent art installations to see in Lancashire

The Lancashire landscape is a spectacular mix of rolling moors, heather-clad hills and sweeping coastline. To enhance these scenic spaces there are a number of quirky and inspirational arts installations and sculpture trails scattered across the county. These are just some of the highlights and all are free to visit.

1 Lancashire’s Panopticons
Four completely different art installations positioned in stunning locations across East Lancashire. Each designed especially to make the most of the panoramic views. Includes the spectacular Singing Ringing Tree above Burnley and the Atom in Wycoller Park near Colne.

2 Mythical Coastline Sculpture Trail
Inspired by the children’s story ‘The Sea Swallow’ this series of interactive sculptures brings to life a mythical coastline with an ogre, giant shell and beautiful artwork. A good one for children as many of the pieces are on or around the beach.

3 Great Promenade Show Blackpool
An intriguing collection of structures, including the famous giant mirror ball, stretching for two kilometres along the south promenade.

4 The TERN Project, Morecambe Promenade
Another seafront arts trail although this one takes inspiration from the natural world and the Bay itself. Steel cormorants gaze across Morecambe Bay and watch over passing walkers.

Made in Lancashire

British fashion designer, Patrick Grant, has reignited Blackburn’s textile manufacturing industry with his new Community Clothing range and store in Blackburn town centre. Although historically Lancashire might have been at the heart of the British textile industry, this certainly hasn’t been the case in recent years, and this is what Grant’s innovative social enterprise is seeking to change. Launched in 2016 Grant is determined to make exceptional quality British clothing more affordable; "clothes we can all feel proud of." Not to mention the added benefits of job creation and the restoration of pride in the UK textile working community.

The first Community Clothing store opened in November in Blackburn which is also home to two of the factories in the Community Clothing co-operative, a network that now numbers seven manufacturers across England and Scotland. It offers a concise range of quality, staple, everyday garments for women and men, including jeans, a classic Harrington jacket, cotton twill raincoats and a range of knitwear.

Pub Classics with a Twist at the Eagle & Child

Owner Glen describes the food at the award winning Eagle & Child as “quirky, seasonal and with distinct provenance to Lancashire” and it’s this clear identity and passion that has led to award winning success for this socially run enterprise in Ramsbottom. Transformed from a boarded-up pub five years ago, Glen and his team are now picking up awards for their menu and warm welcome, and are now expanding to include new stylish bedrooms and a very unique dining experience. The whole operation is run as a social enterprise – supporting disadvantaged local young people into employment, so for those of you who choose to shop socially, you can feel good that your money is being well spent here.

Arise Sir Loin

The next time you tuck into a sirloin steak you might want to spare a thought for Sir Richard De Hoghton of Hoghton Tower near Preston. Back in 1617 the lavish and unstinting hospitality of this 17th Century baron to his King may well have resulted in the knighting of ‘Sir Loin’ but it was also his ruin.

400 hundred years ago the Lancashire baronet invited King James I to stay at his hilltop manor just outside Preston, welcoming the monarch with a huge red velvet carpet that stretched the full length of the ¾ mile driveway. During the three day visit the King enjoyed stag hunting and dined lavishly in the company of dukes, earls and knights – all at the expense of Sir Richard. It is said that the King was so enamoured by a loin of beef he ate during a banquet at Hoghton Tower that he knighted it ‘Sir Loin’ which is how it got its name. The unflagging hospitality sadly bankrupted Sir Richard and he spent some years in Fleet debtor’s prison. Needless to say the King wasn’t invited back.