The Best Thing About Holidays in Lancashire

Lancashire is a county that cries out to be explored. A mix of gorgeous countryside, vibrant towns and a fascinating history gives you plenty to do when you get here, but what exactly is the best thing about holidays in Lancashire?

Perhaps the best thing about taking your holidays in Lancashire is all the culture that’s on offer. The county is home to three top professional classical orchestras: the Hallé, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and the Manchester Camerata, and venues in Preston, Colne and Blackburn where you can enjoy a full programme of events throughout the year.

If you’re more interested in the visual arts then there are dozens of great to visit, including the Haworth Art Gallery near Great Harwood, an Edwardian mansion that has the largest collection of Tiffany glass outside the UK. In Preston you’ll find the Harris Museum and Art Gallery, a free to enter Grade I building that hosts fine art, costumes, textiles, New Media Art and ceramics, while if you prefer your art in the open air then head to Blackpool and see the award winning sculptures on the seafront. Another form of art in the town is the Comedy Carpet, 2,200 square metres of the best comedy quotes and jokes in the world inscribed in concrete outside the Blackpool Tower.

Many people take their holidays in Lancashire to enjoy the stunning countryside. The county boasts some top areas to explore, including the Forest of Bowland AONB with towering Pendle Hill on the outskirts, the West Pennine Moors, and Nidderdale AONB. There are also miles and miles of fields, woodlands, hills and moors to explore, plus a dramatic coastline for those wanting to enjoy the sea air.

Maybe you’re interested in the urban side of life, well, there are some great places to explore when you’re taking your holidays in Lancashire. Blackpool is famous as one of the best destinations in England to have fun. Whether it’s the Tower, the illuminations, the Ballroom, or the Pleasure Beach, there’s so much for you to enjoy here. Further inland is Blackburn where you can take in the biggest icon collection outside London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, see a show at King George’s Hall and enjoy a bite to eat at one of the many great restaurants and cafes in this mill town.

Lancashire has a long and fascinating history and you can explore its past across the county. Visit a museum such as the British Commercial Vehicle Museum in Leyland or Queen Street Textile Museum in Burnley where you can see the last commercial steam powered textile weaving mill in the world. The county has historic buildings galore, Clitheroe Castle is a great day out for all the family, as is the fourteenth century Samlesbury Hall near Preston. Steam lovers will be in paradise (Lancashire is Fred Dibnah country) as they can choose to ride on steam trains at the Ribble Steam Railway in Preston, the East Lancashire Railway in Bury, or the West Lancashire Light Railway at Hesketh Bank near Croston.

Holidays in Lancashire are also great for getting the adrenaline flowing. The county has plenty of great mountain biking tracks, climbing sites and opportunities for watersports. Impact Blackpool is the place to go to try lasertag, paintball, off road karting, quad biking, archery and air rifle shooting, and if you really want something different then why not try your hand at flying a 75 ton passenger airliner? In Stacksteads, just south of Burnley, Flightdeck Experience gives you the chance to take control of a Boeing 737 in a state of the art simulator. There are even a dozen passenger seats so that your family can enjoy watching you take the controls in comfort.

And this is barely scratching the surface of things to do, so in conclusion we think that the best thing about holidays in Lancashire is … Lancashire itself!