Visit Lancashire

Welcome to Lancashire, Where Life Feels Good!

Come and enjoy our rich culture and heritage, take to our coast and hills for fresh-air fun and some of the best outdoor activities around, or to learn why we’re referred to as the ‘food and drink county’ thanks to authentic local produce that’s second to none.

Jump on a Virgin train from London and be in the centre of Lancashire in just two hours, then it’s just a short hop to the bright lights and entertainment of Blackpool- the UK’s favourite seaside resort or to the wide open spaces of the Forest of Bowland, the geographic centre of the United Kingdom and the latest star-gazers paradise.

This county of contrasts has something for everyone, here is just a taste of what to expect this spring!

#LoveTheNorth #WhereLifeFeelsGood

To find out more about the huge choice of events, festivals, activities and experiences go to our What's On Guide

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

Spring into Lancashire during English Tourism Week

This year the English Tourism Week (14-22 March) coincides with the first day of Spring – so what better way to celebrate Lancashire’s fantastic choice of visitor experiences than with our 
Top Five Things to do in Lancashire this Spring.

1. Celebrate the natural world with a visit to a nature reserve. 
See Avocets at WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre, Burscough which is celebrating its 40^th year with events throughout 2015. The new hide at Brockholes Nature Reserve near Preston (just off J31) with floor to ceiling glass gives visitors a brand new way to view the birdlife on No 1 Pit Lake and the new Sand Martin Wall.  See more nature reserves in Lancashire

Lancashire's Tourism Superstar - Sue Copp

Sue Copp works for Sandcastle Waterpark and was voted 2014 Lancashire Tourism Super Star by public vote. She is is now going 'head to head' with nine other superstars from all over England, who are competing to be crowned VisitEngland Tourism Superstar 2015 supported by the Daily Mirror.

We caught up with Sue to get her top tips for the year ahead in Blackpool.

Can you suggest a Blackpool hidden gem?
I love spending time at Stanley Park in Blackpool and feel that everyone should experience this fantastic park which is a great free facility for a family dayout. My family also really enjoy the Model Village which is sometimes overlooked for the bigger attractions.

2015 Highlights

2015 promises to be another action packed year in Lancashire including a fantastic range of events and things to do across the county.

Whether you want to fly like the Red Arrows, celebrate 40 years of wildlife conservation at WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre, spend a week in Lytham for the new Proms Festival or indulge in a gourmet break at Northcote in the Ribble Valley, you'll find it all in Lancashire during 2015.

 

Light Up Lancaster, 7-8 November

Excitingly we are almost there!

Our teams of event organisers, performers, artists and stewards have gathered, ready to Light Up Lancaster. This year’s Light Up The Streets event promises a unique and amazing experience, with light and art installations, interactive projections and activities, dance and music pieces and lots more on the Friday evening.

Saturday’s event, Light Up The Skies, promises a host of family friendly activities during the daytime culminating in a spectacular fireworks display from the top of Lancaster Castle at night.

A Great Family Day Out

Yesterday my family and I made the most of the extra hour and enjoyed a great day out at Thornton Hall Farm Country Park.

Situated in Pendle, close to the Yorkshire border, the farm is surrounded by stunning countryside and views. With animals and tractors galore my little boy was in his element!

As soon as you arrive you can see that a lot of thought has gone into the layout and facilities the farm park has to offer.

Join the Circus!

Got kids of multiple ages to entertain? The weather’s not so great? Then I heartily recommend a trip to The Blackpool Tower Circus for 2+ hours of dare devil feats, family fun and general amazement, not forgetting oodles of popcorn, flashy lights and Mooky the clown.

Mamma Mia! Here I go Again!

I had been looking forward to seeing Mamma Mia! for months. I’ve seen many West End and Broadway shows but never been lucky enough to see Mamma Mia! so when I heard its International Tour was starting in Blackpool at the Winter Gardens (20 June – 1 Sept) I quickly booked tickets with a couple of friends.

It always amazes me every time I go into the Winter Gardens just what a stunning venue it is with so much choice and flexibility as well as an abundance of history that is special to Blackpool. There was a real mix in the crowd from couples and children but the majority naturally being groups of females.

Discovering seaside fun with St Annes Beach Huts

It wouldn’t be summer without a trip to the seaside and what could be more quintessentially British than a beach hut overlooking the expansive sandy beach at St Annes.

We arrived just after 10am (after a welcoming text from Stuart, the owner) to find our lovely beach hut ready and waiting for us.  We put the kettle on, opened the doors and made ourselves at home in what became our home for the day.

A comfy seating area, moveable table and plenty of deck chairs made our base very cosy – with the added convenience of the fridge, microwave, DAB radio, plates, glasses and cutlery – we were short of nothing. We’d brought a picnic for our lunch with plenty of yummy cream cakes (picked up at Barton Grange Garden Centre on route) and a bottle of bubbly so the fridge was well stocked for the day.