Lancashire Visitor Magazine 2017 by Visit Lancashire

Visitor Magazine 2017

LANCASHIRE Rural Escapes, City Breaks & Coastal Adventures Literary Landscapes World Class Events, Shows & Festivals Family Friendly Days Out

AWARD WINNING CHEFS serve up a Lancashire Feast

WINTER GARDENS BLACKPOOL

9 - 11 NOVEMBER 2017 FESTIVE FOOD & FLOWER SHOW

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23 OCTOBER - 4 NOVEMBER 2017 FLASHDANCE

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9 - 14 OCTOBER 2017 OUR HOUSE

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18 - 23 SEPTEMBER 2017 HAIRSPRAY

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29 AUGUST - 2 SEPTEMBER 2017 DIRTY DANCING

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25 - 27 AUGUST 2017 GREAT NORTH WEST MOTORBIKE FESTIVAL

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22 - 27 AUGUST 2017 SISTER ACT THE MUSICAL

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4 - 8 JULY 2017 THE WEDDING SINGER

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19 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 24 JUNE 2017 EVITA

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16 - 18 JUNE 2017 BLACKPOOL INTERNATIONAL SOUL FESTIVAL 2

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24 - 29 APRIL 2017 DREAMBOATS AND PETTICOATS

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10 - 15 APRIL 2017 WONDERLAND

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8 - 12 MARCH 2017 CIRQUE BERSERK

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21 - 25 FEBRUARY 2017 LA CAGE AUX FOLLES

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A taster of 2017

For full event listings please visit WGBPL.CO.UK BOOK BY PHONE:

0844 856 1111 (BOOKING FEES MAY APPLY)

BOOK BY PERSON:

WINTER GARDENS BOX OFFICE CHURCH STREET BLACKPOOL (OPENING HOURS VARY)

ALEXANDRA BURKE STARS IN

SISTER ACT THE MUSICAL

Morecambe Catch the Wind Kite Festival, 24-25 June

ife certainly feels good in Lancashire and for our 64 million visitors each year, there are almost as many reasons to spend time in our wonderful county and you’ll find lots to whet your appetite in this magazine.

Whether you are looking for a cultural short break or an

unforgettable gourmet experience, a tour of a historic house or a castle, or want a more physical challenge on skis, bikes or in your walking boots, our spectacular countryside, traffic-free lanes and 137 miles of superb coastline offer something for everyone. With a welcome that’s second to none Lancashire is a place for families to enjoy half terms and holidays, in award-winning holiday villages, family hotels, cool camping pods and beach or shepherd huts; with some of the most popular visitor attractions and events on your doorstep, whatever the time of year. If you’re looking for a romantic break or a great getaway for a group of friends, then browse through our guide and find the perfect bolthole just for two, the best days out and hundreds of unforgettable experiences for sharing special times with friends and family. From Britain’s best hotel to the country’s best pub food, from world-beating spas to national theatre award-winners it’s official, Lancashire boasts some of the very best accommodation, places to eat and drink, attractions and experiences in the UK. In Lancashire you’re never far from the fun-packed, favourite seaside resort of Blackpool or, the wide open vistas and designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Forest of Bowland and Arnside & Silverdale. You’ll be amazed at our wealth of great places to taste local food and drink, from Michelin-starred fine-dining, to the best fish & chips enjoyed gazing out to sea, from afternoon tea on the farm to beer tasting in one of our award winning micro-breweries. Stay in the finest hotels, in a cottage with a view, a castle turret just for two, an inn by the river, even a converted helicopter – there’s so much choice. With so much to offer you’ll simply have to stay a little bit longer to sample all our delights! We look forward to welcoming you.

Ruth Connor Chief Executive, Marketing Lancashire

Published by: Marketing Lancashire, Farington House, Lancashire Enterprise Business Park, Leyland, PR26 6TW. Get in touch via info@visitlancashire.com Design by: Creative Council

creative-council.net

Want to promote your business via Visit Lancashire? Contact: info@marketinglancashire.com Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy of the information contained in this publication, Marketing Lancashire can take no responsibility for any errors or omissions. It is advisable to check information on visitlancashire.com online before your travel. No recommendation by Marketing Lancashire is implied by the inclusion of any information and it is not intended to be a comprehensive guide to the whole county of Lancashire.

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WELCOME

| 3

A great day out for the family

Generations of Experience We are an award-winning, family run, dairy founded in 1957 by George Kenyon. Today the dairy is managed by his grandsons and 3rd Generation cheesemakers Nick & Richard Kenyon, who continue to follow the Lancashire cheesemaking methods used by their grandfather and father before them.

Want to know how and where your food is made?

Purpose built Viewing Gallery overlooking our cheese factory Opening times:

Shop Mon - Fri 9:30am - 4:30pm Saturday 9:30am - 4:00pm

Museum exploring the history of Lancashire Cheese and its rich heritage Viewing Gallery Mon - Fri 9:30am - 12:30pm

Garstang Bypass Road, Garstang, Preston, Lancashire PR3 0PR

T: 01995 602335

dewlay.com

CONTENT

A BEER BREAK in the Ribble Valley with James’ Places

2017 Highlights

A Lancashire Feast

24 Hours in the Ribble Valley

My Lancashire by Nigel Haworth

Gin with a Bling

A Taste of Lancashire

Brewing up a Storm

24 Hours in Burnley

Lancashire Spa Guide – You Deserve it

24 Hours in Blackburn

Made in Lancashire

Accrington’s Artistic Brilliance

Lancashire Canal Network

Lighting up Lancashire

24 Hours in Preston

Tower Masterpiece

24 Hours in Blackpool

My Lancashire by Leye D Johns

The Best of Family Friendly Lancashire

24 Hours in Fleetwood & Cleveleys

Morecambe Bay

24 Hours in Lytham & St Annes

Sea, Sun & Sand or Shepherd’s Delight?

Arise Sir Loin

24 Hours in & Around Ormskirk

24 Hours in Leyland

24 Hours in Chorley

24 Hours around Pendle

Lancashire from Above

Behind the Scenes at the Museum

102

24 Hours in Rossendale’s Adrenaline Valley

106

Walking in the Footsteps of Literary Greats

110

48 Hours in & around Lancaster

114

My Lancashire by Zoe Dawes

120

Caught on Camera

122

Weddings in Lancashire - Perfect Venues & Day

124

Rest and Relaxation Accommodation guide

127

Events & Festivals guide

133

Planning your trip

145

Enter our latest prize draw and you could be lucky enough to win Bed & Breakfast for two at The Waddington Arms, a personal tour of the Bowland Brewery and then lunch in the magnificent Holmes Mill Beer Hall. You’ll also get a gift set of Bowland Beer to take home. Located in the picturesque village, The Waddington Arms is the perfect base to explore the Ribble Valley and the Centre of the Kingdom at Dunsop Bridge. After a relaxing night’s sleep and a delicious Lancashire breakfast you’ll drive into Clitheroe for a tour of the award winning Bowland Brewery within the brand new Holmes Mill development. This 45 minute tour will involve sampling some of their famous beers before you’ll sit down to enjoy a tasty lunch in the Beer Hall, which overlooks the brewery. Our lucky winner will also get a gift box of beers to take home, which will include the most popular ale, Hen Harrier.

ENTER NOW AT VISITLANCASHIRE.COM/WIN

For more information on all the places featured in the guide and many more go to

visitlancashire.com

Closing date: 31 Aug 2017. Full Terms & Conditions available on the website. visitlancashire.com

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CONTENT

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Advertising promotion

Making History

Head for the beach

The very first Festival of Making

There has never been a better

After opening the Shepherd Hut

Holmes Mill, on the edge of

will take place in Blackburn,

time to head for the beach in

Hamlet in 2016, Samlesbury Hall

Clitheroe town centre, is already

from 6-7 May and will celebrate

Lancashire. Voted best shoreline in

will be adding more new Shepherd

part way through its transformation

the UK’s unrivalled making

Europe, second in the world after

Huts for guests in 2017. These

into the town’s latest food and

heritage and its bright future.

Dubai, Blackpool scored highly

colourful huts provide a rustic

drink experience. The award

Manufacturers large and small will

in terms of interesting features,

and carefree alternative to a

winning Bowland Brewery relocated

collaborate with artists on a series

clarity of the horizon, sea colour,

traditional hotel room. Beautifully

to Holmes Mill in 2016, followed by

of new commissions interlacing

sand, air quality, cleanliness and

handcrafted, complete with two

the opening of a stunning Beer Hall

traditional techniques and

weather. Blackpool South Beach

double beds, electricity and cosy

(with the longest bar in Britain),

materials with contemporary ideas.

has also been named in the list of

en suite with ﬂuﬀy towels and

café, gelateria and shop. Group

Wayne Hemingway, joint founder

Blue Flag beaches for 2016, putting

luxury toiletries, the hamlet will

Marketing Manager Heidi Kettle

of the National Festival of Making

it on a par with world renowned

eventually have 28 huts. Other

adds: “We have only opened a tenth

and of HemingwayDesign, added:

sites including in the Caribbean

new developments at this stately

of the mill so far. Still to come is a

“..we are here to have a celebration

and the Pacific coastline.

home include the new Mayﬂower

30 bedroom hotel, urban spa and

so expect The Festival of Making’s

playground and Dottie’s Waﬄery.

gym and top ﬂoor, fully equipped

music to make you move your feet,

Admission to the hall is free. See

oﬃce spaces. Imagine what an

it’s street food to tickle your taste

if a Shepherd Hut break is for you

exciting place Holmes Mill is going

buds, it’s craft beers to hit the spot

on page 80.

to continue and grow to be in the

Hamlet and Huts

New life for the Mill

and it’s workshops to introduce

heart of Clitheroe.” See page 30 for

you to new skills.”

more information.

2017 HIGHLIGHTS 8 |

2017 HIGHLIGHTS

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4 Spa Satisfaction Voted Best Spa in the North for three years running, Woodland Spa in Burnley was also voted Global Day Spa of the year in 2016 for a second year running. For more information see the Lancashire Spa Guide on page 40.

Father of Time

5 New gourmet destination Led by award winning chef Mark Birchall the brand new Moor Hall Restaurant with Rooms in Aughton will open its doors in March. Lancashire born Mark Birchall, who was most recently the Executive Chef of 2 Michelin Star L’Enclume in the Lake District, is at the helm of this new Lancashire gourmet experience. With seven unique, luxury guest bedrooms,

2017 also sees the 400 anniversary

we are expecting great things

of the birth of Sir Jonas Moore.

from this fine dining restaurant.

Born in 1617 in Higham, Pendle

A converted barn in the grounds

he helped found the Greenwich

will follow at a later date as a

Observatory in London from

contemporary casual dining venue.

which Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) is drawn. Aﬀectional called the ‘father of time’, there will be a number of events in the Pendle area during 2017 to commemorate the anniversary. See visitlancashire.com for details.

Literary Lancashire

Live in Lytham

2017 is a year of literary

Chart topping pop star Olly Murs,

anniversaries, many with links

the Human League, Midge Ure,

to Lancashire. It’s the 125th

the legends Madness and a host

anniversary of the publication of

of Westend stars will take to stage

the first Sherlock Holmes short

at Lytham Festival from 2 – 6

story and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

August. Tickets on sale now.

was educated at Stonyhurst College in Ribble Valley and used

Treasure in the Park

the college as inspiration for his stories. It’s also 125 years since the birth of J. R. R. Tolkien, British novelist, poet, scholar and educator, best known for his

The UK’s biggest walkabout

fantasy novels The Hobbit and

theatre presents Treasure Island

The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien

from 4 July – 12 August in

spent a great deal of time in the

Lancaster’s Williamson Park.

Ribble Valley whilst working on Lord of the Rings which is evident when you follow the Tolkien Trail around Hurst Green. 2016 also saw the launch of the new Lancaster Literary Trail which celebrates the city’s literary links to writers and

In 2016 the Dukes walkabout production of the Hobbit scooped the UK Theatre award for Best Show for Children and Young People. See page 136 for more information on this year’s show.

poets, past and present. See page 110 for more information.

visitlancashire.com

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2017 HIGHLIGHTS

| 9

Trucks Away!

Fit for a King

Celebrating over 100 years of

Hoghton Tower celebrates the

truck manufacturing in Leyland

400 year anniversary of the

the world’s first truck trail will

Knighting of Sir Loin by James

be unveiled this year. Between

I with re-enactments and study

April to September visitors will be

days throughout 2017. On 5 May

able to follow a self-guided trail

senior academics will explore

from Leyland railway station to

various aspects of King James I’s

the award-winning Worden Park

visit including the food he ate,

which will feature 14 6ft trucks,

entertainment and travel in the

each with their own character

Stuart era. The King’s visit will

and personality. The pieces are

be celebrated 8-9 July with a full

all designed around a vehicle

re-enactment by actors, local

produced by Leyland Trucks and

children and a range of Stuart

will boast names including ‘Super

entertainment and activities. See

Hippo’, ‘The Comet’ and ‘Military

page 84 for more information.

Martian.’ See page 91 for details.

Front Room Theatre

Lancashire Tourism Award’s 2016 Cultural Venue of the year, the Burnley Mechanics Theatre, has recently unveiled a new theatre experience for the venue. The Front Room, as it’s called, will host a number of intimate performances during 2017 including the one man show ‘The Story of Richard Burton’ on 26 Feb and several dining events such as a Spanish Night in March featuring tapas and themed entertainment.

11 2018 Construction Throughout 2017 Blackpool Pleasure Beach will be building a new £16 million rollercoaster. It will be the UK’s first ever doublelaunch coaster, an advanced technology that gives the roller coaster two powerful thrusts of acceleration during the ride. Code named ‘Construction 2018’ it will interact with several other rides across the park including the world famous Big One, one of the tallest and longest rollercoasters in the world. Voted the UK’s No.1 Amusement Park by Tripadvisor, Blackpool Pleasure Beach is open as usual from 11 Feb.

For more information go to visitlancashire.com @visitlancashire

VisitLancashire

For the latest information on events, special oﬀers and new openings follow Visit Lancashire. Please share photographs and posts using the hashtag #wherelifefeelsgood

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2017 HIGHLIGHTS

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VisitLancashire

A modern restaurant for fifty guests, a private dining room, relaxing bar and lounge with seven luxury bedrooms. Within five acres of breath-taking gardens with views to the south over a beautiful lake. Talented chef patron, Mark Birchall, creates delicate, produce driven menus inspired by the exceptional surroundings and home grown ingredients. Mark, most recently Executive Chef of 2 Michelin Star Lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Enclume, won the Roux Scholarship, the premier competition for chefs in the UK. He also worked at El Celler de Can Roca, Girona, a 3 Michelin Star Restaurant owned by the Roca Brothers, twice voted the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best restaurant.

BOOKINGS BEING TAKEN FROM 1st MARCH 2017 Moor Hall, Prescot Road, Aughton, Lancashire, L39 6RT Tel: 01695 572511 | Moorhall.com

Lancashire’s award-winning chefs and food producers headed to London to celebrate Lancashire Day by preparing a five course feast for top food writers and critics at an exclusive London venue. The five award-winning chefs in the kitchen were Lisa Goodwin-Allen, Head Chef of Michelin-starred Northcote; Maurizo

Gazegill Organics. Drinks served included Burnley Batch

Bocchi from La Locanda, the highest rated Italian

Brew gin, bottled beer from Bowland Brewery

restaurant outside of London and Lancashire

and non-alcoholic cordials from Fitzpatrick’s

Tourism Awards Taste Lancashire Award winner

of Rawtenstall. The meal was finished oﬀ

2016; Chris Bury from The Cartford Inn, recently

with coﬀee from Lancaster coﬀee importers

voted Best Inn in Britain at the Great British

Atkinsons and Lancashire cheeses from Dewlay

Pub Awards; Stosie Madi from Parkersarms

and Mrs Kirkhams.

(Top 100 Gastropubs) and Steven Smith from

We Lancastrian’s have long known about

the Freemasons at Wiswell, the highest rated

Lancashire’s rich supply of top notch produce

dining pub in the Waitrose Good Food Guide 2017.

and makers, who supply our many award

Each chef created a diﬀerent course for the event featuring a wealth of Lancastrian producers from traditional Morecambe Bay

winning restaurants, pubs and cafes, but perhaps this was not as well known nationally. We predict you’ll be hearing lots more from

shrimps and Lytham cockles, Goosnargh duck,

these great chefs in the next 12 months, along

artisan goat’s cheese from Capra Products,

with the hundreds of other places to eat across

Ormskirk potatoes, Salt Marsh lamb from

our fine county.

Cockerham, Brockhall village apples, honey

Lancashire Day is celebrated on 27 November. Follow @VisitLancashire on twitter to join in the annual celebrations.

from Crossmoor Farm and raw milk butter from

It was fantastic to be part of the lunch; a proud showcase of Lancashire talent. At Northcote, local provenance is central to our philosophy and we were delighted to serve produce from right on our doorstop to some of the UK’s most well-respected food writers and critics. Lisa Goodwin- Allen, Executive Head Chef at Northcote, Langho

Lisa’s delectable dessert was Brockhall Village apple ‘cheesecake’ sorbet and liquorice.

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FOOD AND DRINK

| 13

Steve served up a medley of Ormskirk potatoes cooked in bacon dashi, Slaidburn crispy hen’s egg, Goosnaugh duck ham and hen of woods from Wiswell Moor.

“There is an abundance of quality operators and producers in our region and it was fantastic to be able to deliver it to an esteemed audience in London. I’m very proud that The Freemasons was part of such a great event, which really showcased what we’re capable of in Lancashire.” Steven Smith, Chef Patron at The Freemasons at Wiswell

14 |

FOOD AND DRINK

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visitlancashire.com

Maurizioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s served luscious handmade tortelloni filled with Capra Products goats cheese, Crossmoor Farm chilli honey and mint served with homemade Gazegill organics raw milk butter and sage.

As an adopted Lancastrian who tries to celebrate the Lancashire larder in every dish I produce, it was fantastic to be able to showcase this in London. I was very proud to be a part of such a great event. Maurizio Bocchi, Chef-Patron at La Locanda, Gisburn

“It was a spectacular showcase and a chance for some of the UK’s most respected critics and writers to try our food. I served a Cockerham Saltmarsh Lamb and Lytham Cockle Pie, and received some wonderful feedback, a very proud moment.” Stosie Madi, Chef-Patron at multi award-winning Parkersarms, Newton-in-Bowland

Stosie’s mouth-watering main course was a Cokerham salt marsh lamb and Lytham cockle pie, soused fennel and Duerden’s watercress oil.

16 |

FOOD AND DRINK

#wherelifefeelsgood

visitlancashire.com

Lancashire has a great deal to offer and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fantastic to be a part of an initiative to raise our food and drink reputation to its rightful place. Only a few weeks ago we were voted the Best Inn in Britain at the Great British Pub Awards, alongside other top Lancashire establishments. The dish I served at the Lancashire Day Lunch was a Cartford classic, celebrating outstanding Fylde coast seafood, served on specially made Pilling Pottery plates. Chris Bury, Head Chef at The Cartford Inn, Poulton Le Fylde

Chris created a dish of melt in the mouth hot buttered Morecambe Bay shrimps, line caught Morecambe sea bass, sourdough and Jerusalem artichoke.

For more information on all the chefs and establishments mentioned go to visitlancashire.com

La Locanda

Character and charm THE FLEECE INN Where a warm welcome awaits you.

Following signicant investment and refurbishment, The Fleece Inn is back doing what it does best: providing delicious food, drink and beautiful accommodation in the heart of the breathtaking Lancashire countryside, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. With nine luxurious bedrooms and a menu of dishes created using locally sourced ingredients, The Fleece Inn is the perfect place to create special memories. Morecambe LANCASTER J33

Cockerham

Forest of Bowland

Dolphinholme

Skipton

Garstang

M6 M65

M55

01524 791233 The Fleece Inn, Dolphinholme, Lancaster LA2 9AQ

www.ﬂeeceinn.co.uk admin@ﬂeeceinn.co.uk

The aroma of roasting coffee will draw you into one of our Victorian Coffee houses in Blackburn or Clitheroe, where you will find over 35 of the world’s finest arabica coffees & over 65 speciality teas. The shops contain a wonderful variety of coffee & tea related homewares, after wander through into the coffee house and choose from any coffee or tea we stock plus a wide selection of sandwiches, toasties, jacket potatoes, homemade weekly specials and of course cakes! Free WiFi available. Open Mon–Sat 9-5.30 (Coffee House closes 5pm).

!!!!!!!!!Craig!Wilkinson’s!team!offers!a!warm! !!!!!!!!welcome!and!delicious!food!

Exchange Coﬀee Company

Coﬀee Roasters & Tea Merchants Wholesale – Machines, Training & Engineers

24 Wellgate • Clitheroe • BB7 2DP • 01200 442270 13-15 Fleming Square • Blackburn • BB2 2DG • 01254 54258 also Coffee Bar in Blackburn Market & Coffee Van in The Mall Blackburn www.exchangecoffee.co.uk • @Exchange_Coffee

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PUBS • BEDROOMS • DINING

Quintessentially English destinations Discover the Lancashire countryside...

SEAFOOD CO

LANESHAWBRIDGE

DOWNHAM

FENISCOWLES

PENDLE

AUGHTON

LONGRIDGE

HIGHAM

CLAUGHTON

GREAT ECCLESTON

www.seafoodpubcompany.com

FENCE

HRS IN THE RIBBLE VALLEY The Ribble Valleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stunning landscape and rich heritage is integral to the food grown and produce made here. Enjoy a delicious 24 hours eating your way around this bountiful part of Lancashire.

Melt

Byrnes Wine Merchants

Assheton Arms

Clitheroe Castle

the longest bar in the UK and home to at least 24 different cask ales perfect place to stop for a mid-morning coﬀee,

have lived in the area and the areas famous

in the tiny village of Bashall Eaves, within the

whilst you admire the splendid views across

legends and folklore. Clitheroe itself is a unique

Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural

the valley.

Lancashire market town with a proud range

The Red Pump is a picturesque country inn

Drive down to the River Ribble, the area’s

of speciality shops including the cellars of the

open fires and eight boutique bedrooms

namesake, to The Aspinall Arms, right on the

famous Byrnes Wine Merchants, the amazing

complete with French antique beds and powerful

banks of the river overlooking the medieval

range of coﬀees available at Exchange Coﬀee

wet room showers, make this a real luxury B&B

All Hallows Church and the 14th Century Great

and Cowman’s renowned sausage shop.

experience. Recommended in Alastair Sawday’s

Mitton Hall. With terraced and landscaped

Secret Places and the Good Pub Guide, you’ll

gardens outside, and ﬂagged ﬂoors and open

conservation village of Dowham and the award

have a fantastic night sleep and great food.

fires inside, it’s just the place for walkers,

winning Assheton Arms. Boasting stunning

cyclists and anglers to mingle with the locals.

views of Pendle Hill, this traditional country

with a visit to the renowned Melt Candle shop,

Have a short walk along the Ribble before you

inn has a great atmosphere and serves up

Chandlery and Reading Room. Renowned for

settle in for a delicious lunch.

the best of local and British produce whilst

Beauty. Stone ﬂag ﬂoors, oak beams, crackling

After breakfast it’s time to explore. Start

their exquisite fine fragranced hand poured

For dinner we recommend driving to the

specialising in seafood.

After lunch head into Clitheroe to the

After dinner head back into Clitheroe to the

candles, Melt have been making and exporting

town’s castle keep and museum that stand high

candles in the heart of the beautiful Ribble Valley

on Castle Hill and have dominated Clitheroe’s

Beer Hall at Holmes Mill, the longest bar in the

since 1999. Each candle takes up to 36 hours to

skyline for over 800 years. The Castle Keep

UK and home to at least 24 diﬀerent cask ales,

produce – resulting in a unique and beautifully

itself is free to explore and enjoys panoramic

including beers from the on-site award winning

fragranced candle. Just along the road is Bashall

views across the valley and over to Pendle Hill.

Bowland Brewery. Finish the day by raising a

Barn, a farm shop with a diﬀerence. Oﬀering a

The museum tells the story of Clitheroe and

glass to the beautiful and bountiful Ribble Valley!

wide selection of locally produced food together

its surrounding area from the formation of the

with a variety of quality gifts. Bashall is also the

land 350 million years ago to the people who

For more information go to visitlancashire.com/ribblevalley

The Beer Hall at Holmes Mill

Aspinall Arms

panoramic views across the valley and over to Pendle Hill

visitlancashire.com

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SHORT BREAK

| 21

Elegant, sophisticated and some of the finest food in the country Northcote is an award-winning luxury country house hotel and restaurant nestled in the heart of the picturesque Lancashire countryside. Renowned for its genuine hospitality and refined Michelin-starred cuisine, this elegant hotel is recognised as one of the UK’s leading gastronomic destinations. The Manor House and sophisticated Garden Lodge comprises of 26 individually styled bedrooms including an opulent master suite Elegant & stylish Michelin-starred restaurant Menus created by celebrated chef, Nigel Haworth Seasonal 3-course lunch menu inc. coffee - £33.50 Sunday 4-course lunch menu inc. coffee - £45.00 Afternoon Tea available to non-residents Monday to Friday - from £25.00 A la carte, gourmet and tasting menus available lunch and dinner Overnight Gourmet Breaks from £350 per room, based on two people sharing.

Tel: 01254 240 555

Northcote Road, Langho, Blackburn, Lancashire BB6 8BE /northcoteuk /northcoteuk www.northcote.com ONLY 10 MINUTES FROM JUNCTION 31, M6

AA HOTEL OF THE YEAR 2016/201 7 - ENGLAND

e r i h s a c n My La Chef Patron of the multi award winning Northcote and Ribble Valley Inns group, and all round Lancashire food champion.

NIGEL HAWORTH FOOD CHAMPION

Ribble Valley

Q. What do you love about living in Lancashire? A. I am very fortunate that I live in a beautiful village called Ribchester in the Ribble Valley and have access to the Trough of Bowland and the beautiful Bowland Fells. Despite living in a small village surrounded by farmland and hills we’re not that far from Blackburn and Preston – its great being able to get around the county so quickly.

Q. What do you do to relax when you’re not in the kitchen? A. Watching Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park is a big passion of mine, although it’s not very relaxing. I also enjoy running and walking through the fields and lanes around Ribchester. My wife and I take our Golden Retriever, Rocky up to Longridge Fell and Jeﬀrey Hill, all the space is so reinvigorating and the views across Lancashire and out to the coast are amazing.

Q. What do you tell guests or visiting chefs they must see when in Lancashire?

A. During Obsession most of the chefs come from overseas and are usually fascinated by Lancashire’s historic buildings and landmarks. I usually tell them to visit Stonyhurst College and Hoghton Tower to get a sense of the county’s history with its royal and literary links. I also think you can’t visit Lancashire without going to Blackpool – there’s no-where like it on earth. And of course they must go to Ewood Park to watch Rovers play. Blackburn Rovers

Q. Over the 17 years of your Obsession event you’ve brought a lot of international chefs to Lancashire – what has surprised them most about our county?

A. Without doubt it’s how green the countryside is in this area and the great history that we have in Lancashire’s many old buildings and landscape.

Q. Describe your perfect Lancashire meal A. Potted Morecambe Bay Shrimps with toasted muﬃns, followed by Lancashire Lonk Lamb hotpot, with pickled red cabbage, and finished oﬀ with Bramley apple crumble with Lancashire Cheese ice cream. Delicious!

For more information on Northcote and the Ribble Valley Inns go to visitlancashire.com visitlancashire.com

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MY LANCASHIRE

| 23

THE PERFECT RIBBLE VALLEY

ADVENTURE...

HURST GREEN IS HOME TO ONE OF THE VALLEY’S MOST WELCOMING RURAL INNS OFFERING BEAUTIFUL INTERIORS AND DELICIOUS FOOD SET AMIDST BREATH-TAKING COUNTRYSIDE.

ocated in the beautiful village of Hurst Green, the Shireburn Arms represents the very best in picturesque country dining and interesting walking trails. It is ideally located for exploring the Ribble and Hodder Valleys on foot, on a cycle ride or by car and there are lots of routes to choose from. Then after you’ve worked up an appetite where better to head than the perfect country pub in the perfect country village? The menu is a fabulous showcase for the regions produce and features many local specialities using the freshest ingredients, locally sourced wherever possible. Dining is available throughout the pub, inside and out, so you can enjoy your dining experience whatever the unpredictable British weather. Oh, and if you want to make a night of it we’ve 18 beautiful bedrooms too!

Call us today for more details on 01254 826678 www.shireburnarmshotel.co.uk | Whalley Road, Hurst Green, Clitheroe, Lancashire, BB7 9QJ

“the Burnley Bling pays tribute to a proud drinking tradition that can be traced back to the First World War.”

Gin with a Bling by Joanne Etherington Editor of Burnley Magazine

urnley’s very own gin

consciousness when Lancashire regiments

distillery, Batch Brew,

acquired a taste for it during the Great War.

is a new micro distillery

The Burnley Bling is introducing a whole new

producing small batches of

generation to this wonderful drink.”

artisan gins, individually sealed in gold.

WHY NOT TRY… The Burnley Bling

Phil Whitwell, Batch Brew’s director,

Batch Brew is taking the gin world by

knew the product was a winner even

storm having won a silver medal at the

before they picked up a silver medal at the

World Spirit Competition in San Francisco.

The family-run business is now

He said: “We thought it would be better

mixing their premium spirit to create The

to focus on the north west market rather

Burnley Bling, a slug of gin generously

than London because London gets lots of

mixed with the liqueur Bénédictine, known

new gins. “We believe we have a quality

as ‘Benny’, popular across East Lancashire.

product which we spent a long time

Phil Whitwell Batch Gin’s director says

developing.” The first product was a

“the Burnley Bling pays tribute to a proud

premium gin including frankincense

drinking tradition that can be traced back

and myrrh and other new lines are now

to the First World War.”

in production.

“Burnley, once the world’s largest

Try Batch Brew Gin in the Burnley

producer of cotton, is famous for being

Mechanics Gin Bar or Bertram’s at the

home to the largest single consumer of

Woodland Spa in Burnley or you can

Bénédictine. We’ve added a diﬀerent twist to

pick up a bottle from D. Byrne & Co

a drink that established itself in local people’s

in Clitheroe.

Ingredients •

2 parts Batch gin

•

2 parts Benedictine

•

1 part Chambord

•

1 part fresh lime juice

•

1/2 part grenadine Angostura bitters

•

Soda/Fizzy water

Method Put all ingredients, except the fizzy water and bitters, in a cocktail mixer, shake over ice and serve in a champagne glass (or a dimpled half-pint mug - as is traditional). Top with soda and crown with a frozen raspberry. Adjust the bitter/sweetness balance with suitable drops of bitters.

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FOOD AND DRINK

| 25

SHRIMPS

A TASTE OF LANCASHIRE IF YOU WERE TO TAKE A BITE OUT OF LANCASHIRE, HOW WOULD IT TASTE?

Fleetwood

Blackpool

From Michelin starred Northcote to cosy inns and traditional pubs with roaring ﬁres, or independent coﬀee shops serving gastro-sandwiches, Lancashire has it all. For more information go to visitlancashire.com

CABBAGE

Lancashire is blessed not only with a diverse landscape but also a vast amount of scrumptiously delicious food and drink. Take your pick of Lancashire grown vegetables, fruit and salad; locally reared meats and freshly caught ﬁsh and seafood. Some might call us greedy but we can’t resist Lancashire’s natural bounty, and neither can our restaurants, pubs and inns.

SALT MARSH LAMB

KALE

Would it be the creamy cheese from the Lancashire milk ﬁelds around Garstang and Chipping, potatoes from the peat soil of West Lancashire or moorland reared lamb from the Forest of Bowland? Or what about shrimps heaped on buttered toast from the stunningly beautiful Morecambe Bay, or melt-in-the-mouth Lancashire hotpot? It’s certainly a tough call.

Morecambe

TOMATOES

Southport

POTATOES

Ormskirk

26 |

FOOD AND DRINK

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SALMON

Kirkby Lonsdale

SEA TROUT

LAMB

GAME

BEEF

Slaidburn

Whitewell

CHEESE

HONEY

Lancaster

DAMSONS

Burnley Accrington

BEER LETTUCE SARSAPARILLA CAULIFLOWER CELERY Preston

Blackburn

Advertorial Feature

EAGLE & CHILD Serving Pub Classics with a Twist

wner Glen describes the food

dishes ranging from the award winning ‘Double

whilst providing the perfect backdrop on a

at the award winning Eagle

Bomber’ Pie, made with Lancashire Bomb cheese

summer’s day, when the pub’s barbeque is lit

& Child as “quirky, seasonal

and curd and Thwaites beer onions, served with

and the beer is chilled.

and with distinct provenance

homemade baked beans to Albert Matthew’s

to Lancashire” and it’s this clear identity and

rack of heather fed Bowland lamb served with

passion that has led to award winning success

creamed cannellini beans, baby leeks and

for this socially run enterprise in Ramsbottom.

buttered greens. Finished oﬀ with Longridge ice

Transformed from a boarded-up pub five

cream and Glen’s very own Sloe Gin & Blackberry

years ago, Glen and his team are now picking

Jelly, using fruit from the pub’s one acre garden.

up awards for their menu and warm welcome,

Incredible Edible Beer Garden

and are now expanding to include new stylish bedrooms and a very unique dining experience. The whole operation is run as a social enterprise

Winner ‘Best in Class: Food and Drink’ Made in Bury business awards 2016

Step out of the Eagle & Child and you will find

Winner ‘Best Trainer’ Daniel Thwaites

into employment, so for those of you who choose

the usual beer garden set-up with a diﬀerence.

Awards for Excellence, 2016

to shop socially, you can feel good that your

Committed to regeneration and environmental

money is being well spent here.

education in his business ventures, Glen has

– supporting disadvantaged local young people

Their menu puts a quirky spin on heritage

created a garden where everything grown is

Winner ‘Hospitality & Tourism’ Skills for Business awards, 2016

favourites such as fish & chips and cheese &

there to be eaten. You’ll spot 14 free range

Winner ‘Entrepreneur of the year’

onion pie. Making use of local suppliers and

chickens, fruit trees, polytunnel and raised

Skills for Business awards, 2016

their own home-grown fruit, vegetables and

beds packed with vegetable and herbs – a truly

eggs, the team at the Eagle & Child serve up

edible beer garden. Fruit and veg from the

quality dishes with a very local provenance, each

garden features heavily on the specials board.

with its own special twist.

Last summer Sunday Lunch diners tucked into

Start your meal with some quirky appetisers,

dishes such as smoked pork belly with red wine,

such as their Manchester Egg made with Bury

new potatoes, runner beans and broad beans,

black pudding and a pickled egg, or how about

which made the most of the glut of home grown

salt & pepper fish fingers, lime, coriander and

produce growing rampantly in the garden. The

sriracha mayo. Next it’s on to main courses with

hillside location lends itself well to growing

28 |

FOOD AND DRINK

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Winner ‘Best Food Pub’ Manchester Food and Drink Festival, 2016

3 Whalley Road, Ramsbottom, Bury, BL0 0DL Tel: 01706 557 101 eagle-and-child.com

Make a night of it But there’s no standing still for the Eagle & Child. In early 2017 the pub will undergo extensive refurbishment with the creation of five boutique style bedrooms and new Orangery dining area. Two of the bedrooms will have private balconies with sweeping views across the Rossendale Valley and each will be individually furnished. In true

quirky, seasonal species of owls and you’ll wake to a freshly cooked and with Lancashire breakfast and home baked pastries. Rather distinct uniquely the green roof of the new Orangery will also be home to two bee hives, supplying honey provenance to guests and diners. to Lancashire Eagle & Child style the five rooms

will be themed around indigenous

Out and about

Just a short distance from the East Lancashire Railway’s Ramsbottom station, the Eagle & Child is a great base for exploring the area and taking part in the festivals that take place locally including the vintage 1940s Weekend (2729 May), Ramsbottom Chocolate Festival and the completely bonkers Black Pudding Throwing Championships (10 Sept). If you’re looking for more of a challenge the pub is just a short drive from the Rossendale Valley home to the northwest’s biggest outdoor ski and snowboard centre and the Grip & Go indoor climbing centre. And after all that excitement you’ll be sure of a good meal and a relaxing night’s sleep at the Eagle & Child.

The team at the Eagle & Child look forward to welcoming you soon.

BREWING UP A STORM

Award winning beers, a new state of the art brewery and stunning new branding, Bowland Brewery is brewing up a storm at Holmes Mill in Clitheroe. It’s been a busy 18 months at Bowland Brewery,

‘a refreshing beer filled with soft citrus and

not only have they relocated to become part

peach ﬂavours’ and the bird it is named after

of the exciting redevelopment of Holmes Mill

is synonymous with the Forest of Bowland, but

in Clitheroe but they’ve also scooped multiple

we’ll come back to that later. If you fancy a challenge and want to

awards for their great tasting beer including being the winner of the 2016 Lancashire

try all 24 beers on tap then pick up the

Producers & Makers Award. Add to this a bronze

Circumnavigation ticket (starting from £25)

award for Buster IPA at the International Beer

which gives you a third, half or pint of every

Challenge and a silver for Bowland Gold at

beer on the bar. Happily this can be enjoyed

the North West SIBA (Society of Independent

over a month so there’s no need to get them all

Brewers) Awards.

down by last orders, unless you want to. There’s

The new brewery sits at the heart of the

also the Bowland Beer Club which is free to

venue and is four times bigger than its previous

join and gives you a discount on ales and most

location, although it still holds the precious

importantly we think, invitations to beer tasting

micro-brewery status. Excitingly, drinkers and

days and brewery tours. At just £10 the new

diners at Holmes Mill can see the shiny vats and

brewery tours include three thirds of ales and

the brewers at work through a glass window at

take around 45 minutes. Along with the core favourites Bowland

the far end of the beer hall, which incidentally is also home to the longest bar in Britain. If you enjoy your ale then you’ll be pleased

Brewery also produces a variety of seasonal and occasional ales. Look out for Mil’d, a mild and

to note that the Beer Hall has a minimum of 24

malty brew, only available in May and a golden

cask ales on tap (we’d recommend consulting

ale called Sprinter available May – July. And you

the beer bible on the bar if you’re unsure

must try the award winning Buster IPA created

where to start) from all parts of the country

by Brewery Manager Craig and which his fellow

and world, including all those brewed inhouse.

brewer Ed Czarnecki calls ‘a masterpiece’ so you

The best seller is Hen Harrier ale, described as

can judge for yourself.

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FOOD AND DRINK

| 31

The story behind the label Although the Bowland Brewery has being brewing beers

They did this by agreeing to donate 1p from every

for over 12 years prior to the move to Holmes Mill the

pint of hen harrier sold across the bar and every bottle

new team felt that the various beer brands didn’t really

sold through retailers to the hen harrier conservation

reference the brewery’s providence. With this in mind

project. Heidi Kettle, Group Marketing Manager added

artist Clare Brownlow was commissioned to create unique

“It’s a great way to spread the word about our fabulous

artwork for the core beers that would better link them

beers, Hen Harrier our ﬂagship ale, and the beautiful

to the Bowland location. Using pheasant feathers she

part of the kingdom that they come from to an

painted four animals with links to the area– a hen harrier,

international audience.”

pheasant, deer and wild boar- which now grace the

No doubt reading this article has made you a tad

bottles, beer clips and indeed the walls of the Beer Hall at

thirsty. You can taste Bowland Beers yourself at a variety

Holmes Mill. The new artwork has proved to be a massive

of pubs and inns across the north of England (see the beer

hit with sales increasing as a result.

finder on bowlandbrewery.com), and can buy Bowland

In March 2016 Bowland Brewery entered into a partnership with the RSPB to help fund conservation to

bottled beer from selected branches of Booths, Co-op and SPAR supermarkets. Cheers!

halt the decline in breeding hen harriers.

For more information on Bowland Brewery and Holmes Mill go to visitlancashire.com

SCOTT THE BREWER

Q. What do you love most about living and working in Lancashire?

A. By far, the thing I love most about Lancashire is it’s breath-taking countryside. Step out of any town and your eyes and lungs are treated to miles of rich landscape, history, and clean air. Living and working on the edge of Bowland also provides me with an abundance of exhilarating walking

“Step out of any Lancashire town and your eyes and lungs are treated to miles of rich landscape, history, and clean air.”

and motorcycle routes.

Q. What’s your favourite pub? A. I have collected many fuzzy memories between the walls of the New Inn in Clitheroe. Character is key here. And the New Inn has plenty of it. The multi-roomed layout allows for a mix of all ages and opinions, making it easy to find good conversation. Live music can be heard regularly, by musicians that seem to just appear between pints. The beer is always in good condition and the selection regularly changes which includes Bowland Ales next to a core of house favourites.

Q. What drew you to brewing?

WHY NOT TRY…

A. Brewing is a very rewarding subject for me as it utilises a blend of science, engineering, art and psychology. It

Hen Harrier Poached Salmon

involves a plethora of rich, characterful ingredients that are simply a joy to work with, especially Munich Malt and Nelson Sauvin hops. More important than that, I get to sample beer as part of my job!

Ingredients •

2 x 8oz Salmon fillets

•

2 Slices of lemon

•

½ Pint Hen Harrier

•

Salt & pepper

•

1 Bay leaf

Method Take a frying pan and put the Hen Harrier, bay leaf, lemon, salt & pepper into the pan. Bring up to a gentle simmer and then place the salmon gently in the pan for 10-12 minutes. Take the salmon out of the pan, drain oﬀ excess liquid and serve immediately. Serve with new potatoes and seasonal crisp vegetables.

Q. What beer would you recommend to drink alongside a Lancashire Hotpot?

A. I would highly recommend a bottle of our Deer Stalker. A hearty dish such as Lancashire Hotpot requires a full bodied beverage in my opinion. Deer Stalker’s back bone of roasted malt, liquorish, dark fruit and bitter chocolate complement the deep, rich ﬂavours a good hotpot should possess. If I was making the hot pot myself, I wouldn’t hesitate to add a glug to the stew for a deeper gravy. visitlancashire.com

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FOOD AND DRINK

| 33

UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s NO.1

FOREST

ADVENTURE

PER PERSON*

at Rivington, n r. Bolton

k u . o c . e p a o g t Book aor call 0333 433 0679 quote VTLEGE *Offer valid until 30th November 2017. Excludes Saturdays, Corporate Events and purchase of gift vouchers. Discount code must be entered at time of booking. Only valid at Rivington. Participation and supervision ratios apply - please see our website.

BEST FOOT FORWARD MULTI-AWARD WINNING RETAILER With a wealth of natural beauty beckoning you to explore, the Ribble Valley is the ideal location for pursuing outdoor activities. The great British weather needn’t stand in your way either, with the right clothing and footwear it’s possible to enjoy the outdoors whatever the weather whilst remaining comfortable and warm and with an award winning independent outdoor retailer on your doorstep there really is no excuse! Situated in the picturesque village of Whalley, family run outdoor shop Whalley Warm & Dry is one of the best places in the country to purchase footwear and clothing specifically designed for the very changeable British weather. Their hand-picked high quality brands and unrivalled customer service are reflected in their tally of ten national awards which include ‘Best Independent Outdoor Footwear Retailer’ at the Footwear Industry Awards.

I very much appreciated the time and effort you spent in comprehensively measuring and assessing my feet to ensure the best possible fit. I have never experienced such a level of attention before. The result is that I can already say that the Alt-Berg Tethera boots I purchased are proving a revelation in terms of comfort and fit. At last I have some boots that are both the correct size and width!

THE BOOT FITTING SPECIALIST Customers are travelling from across the country to Whalley Warm & Dry for their renowned award-winning specialist footwear fitting and insole service and wide range of respected footwear brands. Their fitters take the time to take ten detailed measurements to identify your foot length, volume and size, before recommending the right footwear and insoles for your unique foot shape and chosen activity. They stock high quality leather boots that come in 5 width fittings, from extra narrow to extra wide.

THE PÁRAMO CLOTHING SPECIALIST Whalley Warm & Dry are also very proud to be a Páramo Premier Retailer and have a wide range of Páramo waterproof jackets, waterproof trousers, reversible baselayers, insulating overlayers and accessories available in store. Páramo is a British company who design award winning outdoor clothing for the typically wet and windy British weather. Páramo has been found to be unparalleled in its ability to provide comfort, breathability and protection even in the most hostile environments. Unlike most waterproof jackets that succeed in keeping the rain out but leave you feeling very hot and sticky, the Páramo system relies on directional fabrics to move your perspiration away from you, leaving you warm and dry.

BOOK YOUR BOOT FITTING NOW : 01254 822 220 Open: Tue-Sat 10am-5pm, Sunday 1pm-5pm, Closed Mondays King Street, Whalley, Lancashire, BB7 9SN 01254 822 220 www.whalleyoutdoor.co.uk

FINEST LOCAL FOOD & DRINK AT THE SPARROWHAWK IN FENCE We’re just off the A6068 on the fringe of the Pendle Forest in the heart of Pennine Lancashire. Whether you visit The Sparrowhawk for a light lunch, or to settle down by the fire for a hearty evening meal, you can be sure of our warm Lancashire welcome. For table bookings and general enquiries please call us on;

01282 603034 To find out about special offers and events visit us online at;

www.thesparrowhawk.co.uk Food Service Times Weekday Lunch 12pm - 2.30pm Weekday Evenings 5pm - 9.30pm Saturday 12pm - 9.30pm Sunday 12pm - 8pm fb.com/thesparrowhawk

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H O T E L

R E S T A U R A N T

Mid-Week Lunch

2-Course

£18.00 3-Course

£22.00

Monday-Friday • Award-winning hotel and gardens • Indoor and outdoor dining • Contemporary and homely • Special celebrations • Musical afternoon teas • Weddings Gibbon Bridge Hotel & Restaurant Chipping Forest of Bowland Lancashire PR3 2TQ Telephone 01995 61456 www.gibbon-bridge.co.uk

@thesparrowtweet

Since opening The Emporium, in an old Methodist Chapel back in 1998, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve created extraordinary experiences unlike anywhere you have seen or been before. The Parisian Grand Cafe style appeals to everyone. Half coffee shop, wine bar and brasserie, half interior design superstore. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find three huge floors of eating, drinking and shopping, a buzzing atmosphere and delightfully elegant touches. We serve food and drink that reflects our heritage, with modern twists to surprise, inspire and delight every taste. Take a look around! Every item you lay your eyes upon can be bought or ordered in as new. Explore our eclectic mix of dining tables, chairs, mirrors, candles and much more to find yourself a hidden treasure.

Moor Lane, Clitheroe, Lancashire, BB7 1BE 01200 444174 | www.theemporiumclitheroe.co.uk 49603 James Places Lancashire Guide Adverts Emporium.indd 1

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EAT, DRINK, SLEEP. Located beside an ancient stone bridge over a babbling brook at the heart of the picture postcard village of Waddington, the Waddington Arms is the hub of this vibrant little community and an ideal base for a multitude of walks - from a gentle countryside amble, to pretty riverside walks or challenging hikes up into the fells to the north of the village. Fabulous food from well thought out menus is served for lunch and dinner seven days a week and six beautiful bedrooms provide a comfortable base for exploring the Ribble Valley by car or on foot.

01200 423262 | www.waddingtonarms.co.uk | Waddington, Clitheroe, Lancashire, BB7 3HP

HRS IN BURNLEY Historic houses, wild Pennine moorland and an emerging cultural vibe makes Burnley an exciting place to explore in 24 hours. The Palazzo

Hurstwood Hall

Towneley Hall

homemade cuisine and cask conditioned ales, not to mention amazing views across the valley Start by booking yourself into Hurstwood Hall,

and converted to a pub in 1861, the pub has a

the Offshoots Permaculture Project in the

a Grade II listed Elizabethan hall, built in 1579,

fine reputation for homemade cuisine and cask

hall’s old walled garden. The award-winning

and retaining many of its original features. After

conditioned ales, not to mention amazing views

Offshoots Permaculture Project demonstrates

a great night’s sleep in one of their unique and

across the valley.

the techniques of permaculture gardening and

luxurious bedrooms, followed by a delicious

After lunch it’s time to visit Towneley Hall -

regularly holds workshops and activities such as green wood working and yurt building.

freshly cooked breakfast you’ll be ready to start

a historic house, art gallery and museum in one.

the day.

From the priest’s hole to the attic, Towneley Hall

After a busy day you’ll have earned a

is a fascinating place with period rooms covering

pre-dinner cocktail and dinner at The Palazzo

Singing Ringing Tree, on the moors above

several centuries of life at the hall. See the cat

in the centre of Burnley. Enjoy a fabulous

Burnley. This stunning sculpture was chosen

fast asleep by the range in the Victorian kitchen,

seasonal menu using locally sourced produce

by The Independent as one of 21 landmarks

stroll along the Long Gallery past bedrooms

and traditional Italian recipes.

that define Britain in the 21st Century and you

dating back to the 16th Century, imagine the

can see why. The sculpture is a three-meter-

glamorous parties held in the Regency rooms

the 2016 Lancashire Tourism Awards Cultural

tall, wind-powered musical sculpture made of

or have a quiet moment in the Towneley Chapel

Venue of the year, Burnley Mechanics.

galvanized steel pipes. The pipes swirl to form

(Fridays by appointment only).

Formerly a Mechanics’ Institute, built in

The first stop has to be the incredible

the shape of a tree, bent and blown by the wind,

You can’t leave Burnley without visiting

Towneley Hall sits in 400 acres of historic

1855 and converted to a theatre in 1979,

parkland, formal gardens and woodland, so

this Grade II listed building is a thriving

if the weather’s fine make time to explore

cultural hub with state of the art lighting,

you’ll be ready for lunch and maybe a pint of

the parkland and sculpture trail. You’ll also

excellent sound facilities, two bars, and two

real ale, so pop into The Kettledrum Inn on the

find the Museum of Local History in the Old

performance venues so take in a show while

outskirts of the town. Originally a toll house

Brew House, alongside the main hall and

you’re in town.

and produce an eerie, melodious hum. After a walk up to the Singing Ringing Tree

For more information go to visitlancashire.com/burnley

Singing Ringing Tree

The Kettledrum

one of 21 landmarks that define Britain in the 21st Century... Mechanics Theatre

Towneley Hall Chapel visitlancashire.com

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SHORT BREAK

| 39

YOU DESERVE IT

e all deserve a bit of luxury every now and then. The opportunity to escape from the day to day and to feel thoroughly relaxed and indulged. Lancashire has become quite a hot spot for award winning spa breaks

and is also home to Woodland Spa who have taken the title of Best Global Luxury Day Spa for two years running. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve put together this handy guide so you can choose the best Spa for you. As well as the three spas featured there are many other spas available across Lancashire. See visitlancashire.com for more information.

â&#x20AC;Śthoroughly relaxed and indulged 40 |

SHORT BREAK

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The SPA Hotel at Ribby Hall Village

Stanley House Hotel & Spa

The Woodland Spa

Whilst only four miles from Preston

Set in 100 acres of pasture and

and a few miles from J31 of M6, the hill

woodland, with views of the dramatic

top location makes it feel like you’re a

Pendle Hill, and just two miles from

million miles away from the real world.

Burnley town centre and the M65.

Five Bubble Spa

WINNER - Good Spa Guide

Finalist - Good Spa Guide Best

WINNER - Good Spa Guide Best Spa

Best Spa for Value 2016

Spa in the North West 2016

in the North 2014, 2015, 2016

Set within a 100 acre five star holiday Location

village, near the village Wrea Green, eight miles south of Blackpool.

Awards

Best for:

Finalist - Best in Spa in

WINNER – Global Luxury

North West award 2016

Day Spa (2015 & 2016)

Groups and hen parties. Also good for solo spa goers

Couples and mother & daughter treat

Couples, groups and solo spa goers

The Aqua Thermal Journey Thermal Suite – heat and ice journey.

Aroma room, aroma steam room,

Spa oﬀer

saunarium, Balinese salt inhalation room,

Thermal Bathing - Includes salt

herbal sauna, outdoor rustic sauna, Roman

infusion room, Sensation Showers,

pedidarium, tepidarium, outdoor spa pool,

Aroma Steam Room, Herbal Sauna,

hydrotherapy pool and monsoon showers.

Ice Fountain, Rural Hydro Pool.

Hydrotherapy Pool, Serenity Pool, Outdoor Infinity Pool, Sauna, Saunarium, Steam, Salt Room, and Roman foot baths.

There’s also a new Zen Garden with relaxation area and bar. Spa Day price

from £32pp

from £35pp

Rasul Mud Chamber - A unique

ILA Treatments - ILA means earth and

Speciality

experience, perfect to share with a partner

absolutely everything in ILA products

Treatments

or friends. The Rasul mud is harvested

comes from a plant or mineral. Choose

from the glaciers of the Austrian Alps.

from a variety of facials and massages.

Choose from the Champagne Bar, the Lounge Bar, The Brasserie and The Orangery. The Brasserie holds two AA Food

Rosettes and there is a good selection of fine dining choices, it’s also over 18s only. Afternoon tea, spa lunch and gourmet dinner available.

Accommodation

food, using the best Lancashire produce. Afternoon tea, lunch menus and evening meals available.

combination of micro-currents, ultrasound and LED futuristic technologies. Dramatic visible results after just 1 treatment. Choose from Bertram’s Restaurant or the Lounge at Crow Wood. Food is exquisite with lots of locally produced ingredients and a good range of choice. Bertram’s is also an adult-only restaurant. Afternoon tea, lunch and evening meals available.

Stanley House is a four star Gold Country

The Woodland Spa has three luxury

House Hotel, with 30 bedrooms. The

ensuite bedrooms and one exclusive

Overnight spa breaks include access to

‘Escape for the night’ package includes

luxury Spa apartment which is ideal for a

the Aqua Thermal Journey, dinner and

a spa treatment, dinner and B&B in

group of friends enjoying a spa break.

B&B. There are also a number of suites

one of the luxuriously designed rooms.

and penthouses available and you can

Every room has a media hub, double

Six new bedrooms are also

add treatments to your package.

ended bath and walk-in shower.

being added in early 2017.

The Spa & Patisseries package combines

You can add the therapeutic Rasul mud

a visit to the spa with afternoon tea.

ritual to your thermal experience.

Lytham has a lovely town centre with high

Brockholes Nature Reserve is a short drive

A few miles away Gawthorpe Hall

end shops and fine dining restaurants.

away and is home to the UK’s only ﬂoating

looks like a mini Downton Abbey and

visitor centre. Entrance is free and there’s a

houses the fascinating Gawthorpe

gift shop and café with views across the lake.

Textile Collection. There is also a café

Journey for an evening spa

Take a walk along the promenade

Note

option serving serious, straightforward

to cosmetic surgery it is an exclusive

bedrooms and is adult only.

experience with a glass of bubbly.

Nearby

or The Grill on the Hill, a fining dining

CARITA CINETIC™ - The alternative

The Spa Hotel is a four star hotel with 38

Try the Twilight Aqua Thermal Add-ons

Choose either the more casual Mr Fred’s

from £42pp

and pier at St Annes. Less than a mile away Samlesbury Hall

and National Trust shop on site.

If you like golf there are several

is a beautiful historic house with

Towneley Hall Art Gallery and

championship golf courses close

a fascinating history. Entrance is

Museum is on the other side of

by including Royal Lytham &

free and there is a restaurant, shop

Burnley. Home to a rare collection of

St Annes Gold Course.

and gardens to walk around.

art, natural history and Egyptology.

You can enjoy dining alfresco in the

The spa has a beautiful pilates

gorgeous Lily Pad Breeze House.

studio with serene views.

There’s a fire pit area outside with soft seating on two sides, and a bar area serving drinks and tapas.

WEDDING OPEN EVENING 20TH MARCH 6PM - 9PM

Wedding open evening 20th March 6pm - 9 pm

For the perfect day

The perfect venue for a special day, Ferrari’s is set amidst beautiful landscaped gardens, providing a gorgeous backdrop for your wedding. Our specialist staff will assist and advise you, whether you would like a buffet or a five course banquet.

Bespoke wedding or civil ceremonies Fine wine / champagne Quality without compromise

Ferrari’s Country House Hotel & Restaurant Chipping Lane Thornley Longridge Preston PR3 2TB Tel: 01772 783 148 Fax: 01772 786 174 Email: info@ferrariscountryhouse.co.uk

3 F

Millstones Inn Waddington Road, Clitheroe BB7 4SX | 01200 443339

amily-run business, the 3 Millstones is a small but perfectly formed restaurant which offers a warm, welcoming atmosphere that will make you feel right at home. They pride themselves on providing a full dining experience, beautifully cooked and presented food and an excellent selection of beers, ales, and wines.

All of the food at the restaurant is locally sourced and prepared using local ingredients from local suppliers. The 3 Millstones is also available for small functions up to 60 people. You can enjoy having the whole restaurant to yourselves for christenings, birthdays or even an intimate wedding breakfast and with the added bonus of having 5 luxury rooms for you and your guests to stay.

3millstones.co.uk millstonesinn@live.com

Enjoy an hour, a day or an overnight stay

· 38 bedrooms including 8 suites and 2 penthouses · Stunning Zen Garden for outdoor relaxation

SPA BREAKS

FROM AS LITTLE AS

£99 per person*

· Award winning fine dining options and spectacular spa facilities

To book or request a brochure call 0800 107 1741 or visit ribbyhall.co.uk/spa-hotel SEE WEBSITE FOR SEASONAL SPECIAL OFFERS!

*Terms & Conditions: Prices correct at the time of print. T’s & C’s apply. Offers subject to availability. Check in time from 2pm, includes unlimited use of the Aqua Thermal Journey, dinner, bed and breakfast (£25 dinner allocation per guest).

HRS IN BLACKBURN From the new Cathedral Quarter and the delectable CafĂŠ Northcote to the expansive Pennine countryside that surrounds this vibrant Lancashire town, a visit to Blackburn will give you a taste of it all.

Cathedral Quarter

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visitlancashire.com

Stay at the Blackburn town centre Premier Inn, ideally situated close to the railway station, Blackburn Cathedral and all the town centre amenities, with free parking and friendly staﬀ to help make your visit go smoothly. Leave your car and take the bus or train to Witton Country Park, where you will find 480 acres of woodland, parkland and farmland to

one of England’s newest cathedrals but one of the oldest places of worship

explore. Follow the six mile Beamers Trail through the park and up to The Yellow Hills above Pleasington, where a young Alfred Wrainwright (British guide book author) stopped

(crowned Best British High Street in 2016),

to take in the stunning views across Lancashire.

including the bustling continental style, indoor

at the range of entertainment provided by

In the evening you’ll be spoilt for choice

market. New for 2017 is The Drummers Arms on

the three local theatres. King Georges Hall,

The Clog & Billycock or The Butlers Arms and

King William Street, Blackburn’s first micro bar,

Blackburn plays host to some of the biggest

sample some locally produced fayre, from a

oﬀering local craft ales and a variety of gins for

names in comedy in 2017, such as Jon

creamy Lancashire Cheese sandwich to a hearty

you to taste. Pop into The Making Rooms to see

Richardson and Omid Djalili. They also hold

Lancashire Hot Pot.

and try out new cutting edge technology such

regular classical music nights with concerts by

as 3D printing, alongside artist workshops and

The Hallé and BBC Philharmonic Orchestras. If

changing exhibitions.

you prefer to dance the night away then make

On route you could stop for lunch at either

Return to Blackburn for a leisurely afternoon exploring the town centre, shops and market. A visit to Blackburn Cathedral is a must. This

For your evening meal take a short drive

is one of England’s newest cathedrals but one

to the outskirt of Blackburn to sample one of

of the oldest places of worship. See the new

our newest restaurants – Ego, at Brownhill,

Cathedral Court and stop for coﬀee and a slice

oﬀering stylish mediterranean dining and

Theatre also oﬀer a wide range of music, plays

of homemade cake in the new Café Northcote.

excellent customer service. Take advantage

and dance to suit everyone’s taste.

If you like a touch of retail therapy then you’ll

of one of their mid-week specials or try one

love the range and variety of shops in Blackburn

of the signature cocktails.

sure you are around for one of their popular Northern Soul or club Nights. Thwaites Empire Theatre and Darwen Library

For more information go to visitlancashire.com/blackburn Blackpool Airshow, 12-13 August

Billing Hill

Café Northcote

new Café Northcote... Lancashire Hot Pot at the Clogg & Billycock

Discover the Award-Winning Three Fishes - voted Lancashire Pub of the Year 2017

There are five Ribble Valley Inns each with its own unique character - but which one is your favourite? With over a decade of experience the philosophy remains the same today as it always has been. We champion the freshest local, seasonal produce and it has to be full of flavour... it’s the rule. So if you like a pub packed with character serving up a mouth-watering menu with genuine hospitality book a table today and discover the award-winning Ribble Valley Inns for yourself. THE CLOG & BILLYCOCK www.theclogandbillycock.com Pleasington, Lancashire BB2 6QB Tel: 01254 201 163

THE THREE FISHES www.thethreefishes.com

Mitton, Nr Whalley, Lancashire BB7 9PQ Tel: 01254 826 888

THE BULL www.thebullatbroughton.com

Broughton, Skipton, N. Yorks BD23 3AE Tel: 01756 792 065

THE HIGHWAYMAN www.highwaymaninn.co.uk

Burrow, Nr Kirkby Lonsdale LA6 2RJ Tel: 01524 273 338

THE NAG’S HEAD www.nagsheadhaughton.co.uk

Haughton Moss, Cheshire CW6 9RN Tel: 01829 260 265

To make a reservation at any of our Ribble Valley Inns call or go online today!

For further information on all our Ribble Valley Inns visit www.ribblevalleyinns.com

LANCASHIRE

MADE IN

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.

“We believe that everyone should be able to buy exceptional quality Britishmade clothes, and to play their own part in sustaining and creating British jobs. Community Clothing will make British clothes affordable to all.”

WHY NOT TRY…

Grant adds “By designing with simple manufacturing in mind, these products can be sewn in the same premium fabrics and with

See, make and do at the ﬁrst National Festival of Making in Blackburn 6-7 May.

the same quality as the best high-end designer clothes. And with our profits we will invest in programmes in those same communities where the factories are located. We will support skills training, personal development programmes and apprenticeships that help get people into skilled

Live music, markets, street food,

work in the textile and garment industry.”

art, performance, tours, talks

Although Community Clothing have

and above all, an eclectic mix of

partnered with eBay, allowing customers to

making experiences to see and

browse and buy the collection directly, we

try. Manufacturers large and

recommend calling in the Blackburn store for a

small will also be collaborating

quick coﬀee (or local favourite, a hot Vimto) and

with artists on a series of new

to have a chat to the team.

commissions. Head to Blackburn to find out more.

For more information go to visitlancashire.com visitlancashire.com

#wherelifefeelsgood

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Destination Garden Centre o f the Yea r 2012, 13

, 14, 15 & 2016

With a covered outdoor plant area, award-winning Farm Shop and Cook Shop, two restaurants and the friendliest welcome from our lovely people, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll soon understand why the Garden Centre Association named us the Destination Garden Centre of the Year for FIVE years running. Come and see us soon and discover the Barton Grange experience for yourself! Barton Grange Garden Centre | Garstang Road | Brock | Preston | PR3 0BT

01995 642900 | www.bartongrange.co.uk | mail@bartongrange.co.uk

Accrington’s Artistic Brilliance Visiting Accrington’s Haworth Art Gallery is like stepping into a jewellery box. The oak panelled entrance hall and richly carved interior features are classic examples of the Arts and Crafts movement. Combined with the iridescent colours projected through the heraldic stained glass windows creates an exquisite backdrop to the treasures within.

Most visitors are surprised to discover that the Haworth Art Gallery is home to Europe’s largest collection of Tiffany Glass. The collection consists of a variety of glass tiles, a Tiffany library lamp and a wide range of vases and mosaic samples including the distinctive Art Nouveau cockatoo mosaic. The mosaic panel depicts a pair of Australian Greater Sulphur-Crested Cockatoos, perched in a tree against a sunset sky. The lustre effect surface is achieved by preparing the glass with metallic oxides, then exposing it to acid fumes. Attributed to Joseph Briggs, it demonstrates his skill as a draughtsman, first developed as an apprentice engraver in Accrington. Alongside the Tiffany glass collection you’ll also see intricate textiles and fine art collected by the family who built and bequeathed the house to the people of Accrington. Above the front entrance of the house are twelve Grotesques in the form of various animals, including dogs, birds and squirrels. In the past they have been mistaken for Gargoyles, the major difference between Gargoyles and Grotesques is that Gargoyles have open mouths, which help drain rainwater away from a roof’s guttering - Grotesques are small stone decorative features which are supposed to ward off evil.

For more information go to visitlancashire.com

visitlancashire.com

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Carnforth Explore the countryside along the Lancaster Canal around Carnforth on one of four Carnforth canal walks which includes a ﬁve mile circular walk along

The Irish Sea

the Lancaster Canal and the Lancashire Coastal Way, which has stunning views over Morecambe Bay.

Lancaster

The Lune Aquaduct

The Lancaster canal has the longest lock-free stretch

Eanam Wharf

of canal in the country

Blackpool Barton Grange Marina

Preston

Blackburn

Opened in 2012 The Ribble Link connects the once isolated Lancaster Canal with the national network, running around the outskirts of Preston into the River Ribble and then on to the Leeds – Liverpool Ruﬀord branch. With nine locks (seven canal, one river and one sea lock) it’s certainly

Ruﬀord Old Hall

not an easy route to navigate and is best left to the experts.

Burscough

The area around Burscough is some of the flattest in Lancashire, making it easier to tackle a longer route. Try the 14 mile Wetlands & Waterways loop along the Rufford branch (passing Rufford Old Hall), the Leeds- Liverpool canal and the wetlands around WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre. Start and finish at Burscough Wharf, perfect for grabbing a well-earned lunch.

Liverpool 50 |

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Look out for yellow wagtail, curlew, bullﬁnch, wren and dipper.

Lancashire

CANAL NETWORK Cruise, walk or cycle along Lancashire’s magnificent canal network to experience a wide variety of landscapes, history and wildlife. The slower pace of the waterway, just four miles per hour by boat, means there’s absolutely no rush. So take your time, stop for a coffee, watch the world float by and enjoy the view.

Foulridge Tunnel Travel through the tunnel,

which has no towpath, which is only possible in one

The Leeds-Liverpool Canal is 127¼ miles long and was opened in 1816.

Barnoldswick Foulridge

direction at a time, so traﬃc lights control a ten minute window in each direction.

Keighley Colne To Leeds > Foulridge Wharf/tunnel Burnley Burnley's Straight Mile

Choose from four short canal walks around this section of the canal including a two and a half circular Pendle canal walk from the mile long tunnel at Foulridge to the pretty Barrowford locks and then through the surrounding countryside.

Rather than taking a long detour Download all routes mentioned and others

following the contours of the land, a

from visitlancashire.com/canalwalks

large embankment was built to carry the Leeds and Liverpool Canal through the centre of Burnley. At almost a mile long and up to sixty feet high it is considered

Greenberﬁeld Locks, Barnoldswick

one of the Wonders of the British Waterways and provides fantastic views across the valley.

stival nal 2F6-e27 August a C y es. Live Burnle free familyfoarcmtivaintci e, canal

of , per the heritage Two days kshops rating r o celeb music, w e l a r n in Burnley. mo ool ca cruises and Liverp s ed of the Le

Look out for bats, fox, rabbits and deer, Red Admiral and Meadow Brown Butterﬂies.

LIGHTING LANCASHIRE

UP Look towards the hills, down a city alleyway, by the coast and in other unexpected places. Lancashire is home to a weird and wonderful collection of sculptures, cultural events and pop-up art.

like a radioactive tomato, enticing visitors with its voluptuousÂ beauty.

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2016 was a stand-out year for arts in Lancashire. Adding

Steve Messam’s final pop-installation was created for

to the cornucopia of existing events such as Blackpool’s

Light Up Lancaster as he explained to Zoe Dawes when

LightPool with its cutting edge light installations and

she spoke to him.

3D projections, environmental artist Steve Messam was

“I really like being a part of the festival because

commissioned to produce a series of pop-up installations

of its accessible scale, its friendly atmosphere and the

across the county. Inspired by the symbolic red rose of

way Lancaster lends itself to a variety of settings for the

Lancashire the artist created ‘When the Red Rose’ at three

events and installations. The whole city comes out to

diﬀerent locations.

enjoy it.”

“The whole city comes out to enjoy it”

Travel blogger Zoe Dawes visited ‘When the Red Rose’

Zoe spoke to

in Blackpool at the end of October as part of the LightPool

him as they were

Festival and likened it to “a radioactive tomato, enticing

standing beneath

visitors with its voluptuous beauty.” Adding that, “children

a collection of

ran up to it and gazed in amazement. Photographers tried

bright red balloons

to capture its scarlet vibrancy, cyclists glanced at it as they

of various sizes,

whizzed past.”

some of which had lights

“LightPool is now an annual celebration that

bobbing around inside

ties in with Blackpool Illuminations, featuring art

them. Rain gently pattered

installations along the promenade, live performances

onto the brilliant globes.

and special exhibitions. It also included brilliant 3D

Steve added “It’s a lovely

films projected onto Blackpool Tower including Chasing

sound, isn’t it? Working with balloons is about colour

Stars: Our adventures in Space from British astronaut Tim

and size. It’s visual and about the sound too. They make

Peake and Yoko Ono had a couple of installations including

people happy.”

‘Imagine’ at the head of the North Pier.” The Light Up Lancaster Festival, has for the past three

Speaking of keeping people happy, earlier in the year one of the county’s biggest annual events Fleetwood

years, been part of the Light up the North Consortium,

Festival of Transport (traditionally known as Tram

brightening up the city over the 5 November Bonfire

Sunday) incorporated arts performances from SpareParts.

night weekend. Local and international artists put on

This included crazy jugglers performing in a moving

lively street performances and virtually every corner of the city

aluminium contraptions to poetry takeaway and a super

had some quirky artwork or show to illuminate the evening.

scrap race – all guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

LIGHT FANTASTIC!

More fantastic artworks over the page

Zoë Dawes is an award winner blogger. You can read more of her travel blogs at quirkytraveller.com and follow her on twitter @quirkytraveller

1: The Halo

1: Singing Ringing Tree

1: The Atom

Permanent art installations to see 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 2 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. Other sculpture trails to try – Pendle Sculpture Trail at Barley, Ribble Valley Sculpture Trail, Clitheroe and Towneley Hall Sculpture Trail, Burnley.

For more information on any of the events or trails mentioned go to visitlancashire.com

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Discover it in Quirky independents High street brands Fabulous food Urban oasis Exhibitions Live music Events

www.prestonguildcity.co.uk

PRESTON

HRS IN PRESTON Just two hours from London or Glasgow by train, Lancashireâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newest city is a convenient and fun filled destination to explore in 24 hours.

Boston Brothers

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head to Winckley Square Gardens - a charming Georgian square that’s a real hidden gem at the centre of the city First things first, check into the city centre

Walk oﬀ lunch in the beautiful Avenham and

The following morning, once you’ve

Premier Inn, grab a Guild City map and head

Miller Parks, tranquil settings on the banks of

checked out, grab a takeaway breakfast from

to the Harris. Visit the Fine Art Gallery and

the River Ribble situated on the doorstep of the

the Winckley Café and stroll over to the newly

Discover Preston exhibition whilst exploring the

city centre. From there head back to Fishergate

restored Winckley Square Gardens – a charming

iconic Grade I listed building. While you’re there,

- the main high street - to meander round the

Georgian square, home to some fantastic period

check if any workshops are taking place in the

wide selection of high street brands and quirky

architecture. This hidden gem at the centre of

Makerspace, Preston’s new shared workshop and

independent shops, not forgetting to look up

the city will keep you close to wherever you

meeting point where art, technology, craft and

at the some of the city’s fantastic architecture.

want to go next, whether that’s more exploring

design converge. Once you’ve had your fill of

When you are ready for a break, treat yourself

around Preston or back to the railway station for

local history, art and creativity, stop for a spot

to something sweet at Heavenly Desserts, a

your journey home.

of lunch at one of the independent eateries at

dedicated dessert café, back at Miller Arcade.

the Victorian Miller Arcade or Ham and Jam on

Venture across the Flag Market back to

We are sure you’ll enjoy your 24 hours in Preston and hope to see you again soon; there’s

Lancaster Road which oﬀers a welcome retreat

your hotel to freshen up before enjoying

so much more to explore and experience in our

from a busy day!

pre-dinner Caribbean cocktails at Turtle Bay.

Guild City!

Followed by a meal at Villa Italian and a show at Preston Guild Hall.

For more information go to visitlancashire.com/preston

The Harris

Avenham Park

Ham & Jam

high street brands and quirky independents...

TOWERING

masterpiece

ho can resist the heritage and majesty of the Blackpool Tower? Opened in

1894 and still welcoming visitors over 120 years later with its dazzling 120ft square ballroom, family attractions and of course the magnificent 518ft tower itself. After a 69 second ascent you’ll feel on top of the world, but do you dare step out on to the 5cm thick glass SkyWalk? We promise you that it can hold the weight of two elephants but how did they get them up there to check? Large Visitor Attraction of the Year in the 2016 Lancashire Tourism Awards, the Tower Ballroom is now famous for its annual appearance on Strictly Come Dancing but even if you can’t dance, make time for afternoon tea in this glorious setting and take a lead from the Shakespeare quote above the stage…

…bid me discourse, I will enchant thine ear. For more information go to visitlancashire.com

visitlancashire.com

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HERITAGE & CULTURE

| 59

HRS IN BLACKPOOL There is so much to do and see in Blackpool you really do need a few days to take it all in. But if you’ve only got 24 hours to enjoy the best of the UK’s favourite beach resort prepare yourself for a day and night you will never forget.

Blackpool Illuminations & Lightpool, 1 Sept – 5 Nov

Comedy Carpet

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AFTERNOON: After you arrive in the resort, head for a stroll down the Promenade to get your bearings and soak up that unique atmosphere while marvelling at the gag-tastic Comedy Carpet. It includes the work of more than 1,000 comedians and comedy writers from the days of music hall

from Champagne and oysters to traditional fish and chips...

right up to today’s stand-up greats. “Garlic Bread” anyone? If you’re feeling peckish, why not tuck into some traditional fish and chips and sit on the

MORNING:

seafront to watch the world go by? After that, call in at the majestic Blackpool Tower Ballroom and enjoy afternoon tea followed by a quick two-step. While in The Blackpool Tower take a trip to the SkyWalk at

EARLY EVENING:

Why not start the day in one of the cafes in

It’s dinner and showtime!

pastry while relaxing?

From Champagne and oysters to traditional

Cedar Square where you can enjoy a coﬀee and a With a tight schedule, make time to visit

the top where you can walk on the glass ﬂoor

fish and chips, Blackpool has it covered from the

at least one of Blackpool’s three piers – North,

and take in stunning views of the Golden Mile

traditional to the gastronomically swanky.

Central and South. On Central and South you

– including our world famous three piers, as

With hundreds of cafes, restaurants, take-

can enjoy traditional amusements and funfair

well as across the Irish Sea and the beautiful

aways and bars, there is an enormous variety to

rides or at North Pier stroll down the full stretch

Lancashire coast.

suit not just every taste but every pocket.

of Blackpool’s oldest boardwalk and hop on the

Alternatively, why not spend a few hours

And as the day comes to a close, the night

historic carousel at the end.

rubbing shoulders with the stars at Madame

comes alive. Blackpool oﬀers entertainment

Before the end of your magical 24 hours in

Tussauds. From Olly Murs, Ant & Dec, to the

to suit every individual all year round. West

Blackpool, you’ve still got some time to catch a

Two Ronnies and The Beatles, there are famous

End Shows, ballet, opera and art exhibitions sit

tram so you can ride along Blackpool’s six miles

faces everywhere. You can even have a go at

alongside gigs from the latest bands, comedians

of Promenade. A truly relaxing way to bring your

casting your own hand in wax!

and tribute acts. You will not be disappointed.

trip to a close.

For more information go to visitlancashire.com/blackpool Blackpool Airshow, 12 & 13 August

Blackpool Pleasure Beach

the UK’s favourite beach resort...

AFTERNOON TEA

WITH LIVE MUSIC

FROM

Â£20

FROM OUR RESIDENT ORGANIST ON THE

PER PERSON

WHEN BOOKING A TABLE OF 4

WORLD FAMOUS WURLITZER BOOK NOW ON

0871 222 9929

FOR GROUP BOOKINGS PLEASE CALL 0871 282 9236*

www.theblackpooltower.com #towerafternoontea

Afternoon Tea experience will be for 90 mins. *Calls cost 13p per minute plus network extras.

EXPERIENCE ALL THESE ATTRACTIONS FOR ONE GREAT PRICE!

SAVE £44.45 UP TO

WHEN YOU BUY THE BIG TICKET ONLINE ADULT£45 CHILD £32.50

www.BLACKPOOLBIGTICKET.com

BLACKPOOL IT’S OUT OF THIS WORLD! #blackpoolbigticket

*Savings based on individual adult walk-up prices. Online tickets are only available when booked at least 24 hours in advance. The BIG Ticket is valid for 90 days from purchase for 1 visit to each attraction.

Lancashire’s 2016 Tourism Superstar and all round visitor ambassador. Leye runs VIVA Blackpool, a show and event venue on Blackpool’s famous promenade.

e r i h s a c n My La

LEYE D JOHNS TOURISM SUPERSTAR

Q. What do you love about living and

VIVA

working in Lancashire?

A. It never ceases to amaze me the amount of wonderful things there are to see and do across the whole of the county, there’s everything from beautiful beaches to glorious countryside. Blackpool has its own special buzz and I love seeing our customers coming in through the doors at VIVA, they have all come for our unique blend of entertainment, fun and razzamatazz, so whether they are young or not so young, we hope they all have an enjoyable night.

Q. When you’re not entertaining Blackpool visitors, where do you go to relax?

A. Ideally I like to be fed grapes whilst being fanned by palm leaves but failing that I love going for a walk along Blackpool Promenade. I always try to stop at the Comedy Carpet for a quick read and seeing all that entertainment history laid out like that makes me proud to carry on the traditions of so many big name stars.

Comedy Carpet

Q. What do you think are the top three things that visitors must do in Blackpool?

A. Well apart from our wonderful shows, the Pleasure Beach is an absolute must for thrills galore. If you are a grown up give Funny Girls a whirl, it’s a stunning venue and finally for a bit of traditional Blackpool, ride in one of the famous landaus through the shimmering Illuminations whilst eating some freshly made donuts, not that they ever pass my lips of course!

Q. Now that you’re the 2016 Lancashire Tourism Superstar – what’s next?

A. A BAFTA? An OSCAR? Or even a Jam-making certificate from the Lancashire Women’s Guild… but seriously, maybe I could ﬂy the ﬂag for Lancashire nationally.

You can see Leye and cast in action at VIVA Blackpool throughout the year. For more information go to visitlancashire.com

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Blackpool Pleasure Beach

The Best of

FAMILY FRIENDLY

Lancashire

When it comes to family friendly activities we think it’s the children and parents who know best. So we asked parents on Facebook and Twitter to tell us their favourites and these are the results.

Top 5

PLAYGROUNDS 1.

Park View 4U, Lytham Award winning 3-generational play park.

Worden Park, Leyland Playpark, miniature railway and maze.

Happy Mount Park, Morecambe Play park, splash zone and trampolines.

Withy Grove Park, Preston Woodland and children’s adventure playground.

Samlesbury Hall, Preston New for 2016 featuring a Mayﬂower ship and miniature replica of the hall itself.

Top 5

FREE THINGS TO DO 1.

Brockholes Nature Reserve, Preston 250 acre reserve with adventure playground and ﬂoating visitor centre.

Harris Museum & Art Gallery, Preston Activities for kids and regular events.

World Horse Welfare Penny Farm, Blackpool Meet the horses and ponies who have been rescued and cared for by the centre.

The Whitaker, Rawtenstall Intriguing natural history collection, kid’s events and cafe.

Blackburn Museum & Art Gallery Varied collection, events and kids activities.

visitlancashire.com

#wherelifefeelsgood

FAMILY FRIENDLY

| 67

utiful 100 acres of bea an th re o m in e Set Ribby Hall Villag e, id ys tr n u co e Lancashir ort tination for a sh es d ct fe er p e th is . break or holiday

COTTAGES SLEEPING 4 FOR UNDER £100pp

Whether you want to have some downtime with just your partner or wish to bring all the family along for a generational get together: you’ll feel truly at home here with us. We even have Dog Friendly properties available! 174 self catering cottages to stay in – or try a luxurious pine lodge or larger accommodation option with private hot tub! New family fun lagoon style, swimming pool available from Spring 2017 Indoor & outdoor activities for all ages – from golf, to segway, soft play to waterwalkerz! Restaurants, cafes, bars and entertainment on The Village – including special events through the year Exclusive multi award-winning Spa for adults only

T’s & C’s: Price based on midweek stay 24th April 2017. Subject to change and availability. For up to date prices, please go online.

ONLY 15 MINUTES FROM BLACKPOOL & LYTHAM ST ANNES

Top 5

HERITAGE & CULTURE

Top 5

ANIMAL & WILDLIFE 1.

Blackpool Zoo Big cats, elephants, giraﬀes, gorillas and sealions.

Thornton Hall Farm, nr Barnoldswick Animals, farm safari, play barn, ride on tractors and play area.

WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre, Burscough Otter feeding, weekend crafts, duck trail, den building and adventure playground. Plus thousands of ducks and waterfowl.

Farmer Parrs Animal World, Fleetwood Fab-ewe-lous animal farm with outdoor and indoor play areas, with a bouncy castle.

Farmer Ted’s Farm Park, Ormskirk Animal barn, pony grooming, tractors ride, go karts, reptile house and guinea pig village.

East Lancashire Railway, Rawtenstall to Bury Look out for themed events including Thomas, Neverland and Princess Adventure Trains.

Lancaster Castle Kids will love getting locked in the prison cells.

Towneley Hall Art Gallery & Museum, Burnley 400 acres of parkland, sculpture trail, playground and activities.

Clitheroe Castle and Museum Explorer back packs, treasure trails and hands-on activties.

British Commercial Vehicle Museum, Leyland Climb aboard heritage vans, huge rucks, retro buses and a ﬁre engine.

Top 5

THRILLS AND SPILLS! 1.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach The biggest, fastest and best.

Sandcastle Waterpark, Blackpool UKs largest indoor waterpark with more than 18 slides and attractions.

Blackpool Tower Eye and 4D Experience 4D cinema, 380ft panoramic views and thrilling SkyWalk.

MONEY SAVING Tips •

Blackpool Tower Dungeon Villains, rogues and rascals feature in 10 shows, special eﬀects and exciting drop ride.

Go Ape Rivington Award winning tree top adventure for ages 10+.

DID YOU KNOW?

Book online in advance and you’ll save between 10-20% on the big attractions

•

The Blackpool Big Ticket and the Blackpool Resort Pass both offer great discounts if you are visiting multiple attractions in Blackpool

•

Take a picnic instead of buying lunch –

Blackpool Pleasure Beach has a Rainy Day Return Policy?

most attractions have picnic areas •

Look at the free days out page on visitlancashire.com and check the special offers page

Should it rain for more than 3 consecutive hours during your visit you can come back the following day free of charge or half price on any Sunday during the season.

For more information all the places mentioned and many, many more go to visitlancashire.com

See website for details.

HRS IN FLEETWOOD & CLEVELEYS Stunning wildlife, a beautifully flat coastline with amazing views and a rich maritime history makes Fleetwood and Cleveleys a great area to explore with the family, on a short break.

Fleetwood Festival of Transport, 16 July

Cleveleys Promenade

Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Shell, Cleveleys

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follow the Mythic Coastline Sculpture Trail along the coast Book yourself into the award winning Brickhouse

July. Of course a trip to the seaside wouldn’t be

crouching ogre and giant conch shell to intricate

Farm Cottages, winner of best self-catering

complete without a walk or play on the beach,

carvings and elegant eﬃgies – discover a story

accommodation in the 2016 Lancashire Tourism

choose between Cleveleys smart promenade or

of history, magic and folklore intertwined with

Awards. With its excellent facilities and pretty

Fleetwood’s more expansive beaches.

the coastal landscape.

lakeside location it’s a great base to explore the Fylde Coast and beyond. Start the day with a walk along the beautiful

Lunch could be a picnic on the beach or

Later in the afternoon call into the ancient

perhaps fish and chips at the North Euston

market town of Poulton and see if you can find

Hotel right on the seafront with the estuary and

the so called ‘pirates grave’ in the church yard of

Victorian seafront at Fleetwood and let the kids

Morecambe Bay beyond. Watch the Knott Ferry

St Chads with its skull and crossbones carving. If

play at Marine Splash on the Esplanade with its

as it trundles to and fro across the River Wyre,

there’s time browse the independent shops and

water jets, water tunnels and paddling area. Dry

or hop on and take a ride across. Keep a look out

visit the outdoor market on Mondays.

oﬀ with a walk through the recently restored

for porpoise who swim in the area.

Mount Gardens for fantastic views along the

Finish the day with dinner at the new

After lunch head south to Cleveleys to follow

Brasserie Bridge 42 before heading back to

coast, then head down to the boating lake on the

the Mythic Coastline Sculpture Trail. Pick up

Brickhouse Farm Cottages for a well-earned dip

promenade to watch the model yachts in action.

a copy of the Sea Swallow children’s book

in the hot tub.

Look out for family events throughout the year

and you’ll see how the story and illustrations

including the Fleetwood Festival of Transport in

inspired the creation of the trail. From a

For more information go to visitlancashire.com/ﬂeetwood

Fleetwood beach

Lunch could be a picnic on the beach or fish and chips...

Cleveleys Sea Ogre

shopping A seaside

experienc

Enjoy a day of shopping and sightseeing at Morecambe’s Festival Market

A traditional market with over 200 stalls. A shopper’s paradise for gifts, clothing and household goods. Bag a bargain today. Open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday all year round, 9am - 4.30pm

A traditional covered market with more than 100 stalls and two cafes and just a stroll away from Morecambe’s glorious promenade. Open Tues, Thurs, Sat & Sun (9am - 4.30pm) Central Drive, Morecambe, LA4 4DW www.lancaster.gov.uk/festivalmarket

Also open all Bank Holidays and Tram Sunday /FleetwoodMarket Victoria Street / Adelaide Street, Fleetwood, Lancashire FY7 6AB

Life feels good in Lancashire

Find out more at visitlancashire.com

EXPAND YOUR HORIZONS Be inspired by natural beauty. Be inspired by Morecambe Bay.

WWW.EXPLOREMORECAMBEBAY.ORG.UK

Visitor Information: (01524) 582808

Grange-over-sands

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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,

es os

B ay

Barrow-inFurness

Arnside & Silverdale

he ft

Morecambe

Lancaster

Heysham

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

12 13

bike around this stunning amphitheatre and you’ll see for yourself.

Glasson Dock M6

MORECAMBE

BAY

Wildlife Bay Watch out for oystercatchers, greenshank, bar-tailed godwit and whimbrel, lapwing, pink footed geese, grey seal and artic tern

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.

Hest Bank – During the hour before high tide spectacular ﬂocks of wading

birds gather to roost at Hest Bank.

RSPB Leighton Moss and Morecambe Bay Nature Reserve Home to birds,

bats, bugs and otters – and if you’re lucky you might catch a glimpse of the red deer. The new viewing platform provides an unrivalled vantage point to view the area.

Morecambe

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visitlancashire.com

Cartography by creative-council.net using data from openstreetmap.org © OpenStreetMap contributors

Sambo’s Grave – once the fourth largest slave port in the UK, this part

of Lancaster’s darker history is remembered by Sambo’s grave near Sunderland Point. Sambo was a slave or servant who died in 1736 and his grave lies in unconsecrated ground beside the shoreline.

Sunderland Point – reputed to be the landing place of the first bale of

cotton to come into Britain and with just 30 or so houses and farms at the end of a tidal causeway it feels very isolated, even though Sunderland Point is only seven miles from Lancaster.

Leighton Hall – home to the Gillow furniture making dynasty and still

EDF Heysham Power Station Visitor Centre – features exhibitions on nuclear power.

home to the family today. The spectacular

Tours of Heysham Two nuclear power station can

Bay backdrop makes a visit here extra

be pre-booked.

special. Look out for events including a

Glasson Dock – along established port dating back to 1779. The old

branch railway line that once connected Glasson with the main line is now a linear park and cycleway.

regular programme of outdoor theatre throughout the summer.

Way of the Roses Cycle Way – starting from Morecambe promenade

- A 170 mile route from Morecambe to

The notorious sands of the bay have

Bridlington through the Lune Valley.

been crossed on foot and by carriage

for centuries. They are treacherous and with shifting quick sands and fast tidal channels crossing should only be attempted with a knowledgeable and experienced guide. See visitlancashire.com for a list of guided walks led by the Queen’s guide Cedric Robinson who has been in the role for over 50 years.

Brucciani’s Café – Art deco Italian ice cream parlour and café. Try the

knickerbocker glory!

Morecambe Winter Gardens A unique example of a surviving Victorian

music hall, built in 1869. Whilst restoration and preservation work is ongoing it is used regularly as a film location and has a programme of events running throughout the year.

Midland Hotel – Art deco beauty, built in 1933 and then refurbished and

reopened in 2008. Adorned with Eric Gill seahorses on the outside and fabulous decadent murals on the interior. Sip a glass of champagne whilst you admire the Bay view from either the restaurant or one of

the stylish bedrooms.

Bay Cycle Route (NCN 700) – starts on Walney Island near Barrow and

takes in the breath-taking scenery right

The Platform – the old promenade

round to Glasson Dock, south of Lancaster.

railway station is now an events and

This relatively ﬂat route hugs the

entertainment venue, and is home to the

spectacular coastline of Morecambe Bay

Visitor Information Centre.

along quiet roads, greenways, canal towpaths and promenades.

St Patrick’s Chapel, Heysham – said to have been founded by St Patrick

after he was shipwrecked here in the 6th Century. More recently the site featured on a Black Sabbath album cover.

Sail into un-charted waters with Bay Sea School. It’s a rare person who can

say they’ve sailed across the Bay from Morecambe

Morecambe to Arnside. There are no sea charts for the upper reaches of Morecambe Bay and the channels are constantly changing. Bay Sea School sail up to this secret corner of the Bay on their 22ft yacht. See visitlancashire.com for full details.

This article was produced using content from the Seldom Seen Maps produced by the Morecambe Bay Partnership.

See visitlancashire.com for full details.

HRS IN LYTHAM & ST ANNES Wide open sandy beaches, sand dunes, a traditional pier, boating lake and even modern beach huts, there’s plenty to do in and around this most traditional of English seaside resorts.

St Annes Kite Festival, 2-3 Sept

St Annes Beach Huts

Cartford Inn

Lancaster Canal

The Fylde Gallery

soak up the atmosphere of this sophisticated seaside town Stay in one of the smart hotels along the St

For something completely relaxing at the

For lunch head into Lytham for wine bars,

Annes seafront with views over the beach, many

top quality eateries and stylish cafes and if the

end of the day head over to The Spa Hotel at

oﬀering a range of leisure activities and dining

weather’s sunny, sit outside and soak up the

Ribby Hall Village for a Twilight Aqua Thermal

or opt for self-catering at the stylish St Annes

atmosphere of this sophisticated seaside town.

Journey. Spend a heavenly two hours relaxing

Beach Hut Apartments. After breakfast take a

Linger over lunch in a restaurant such as Gusto

your way through more than 10 diﬀerent steam,

stroll along the promenade and out along the

or Zest and discover for yourself why Lytham

heat or water experiences, followed by a glass

pier with views over to Southport and North

has established a fine reputation.

of bubbly in the lounge afterwards. Finish oﬀ

Wales. Look out for events throughout the

the day with dinner in the Spa Hotel Restaurant

Catch a show at the Lowther Pavilion, which

year including the St Annes Kite Festival in

regularly stages shows, musicals, opera and

which holds two AA Rosettes and stay over in

September. Visit the historic windmill on

comedy, or head into the Fylde countryside to

one of the luxurious bedrooms.

Lytham Green (also home to the 1940s Wartime

Glasform in Singleton where you’ll see a master

Weekend 19-20 August) or pop into the Fylde

glass blower at work and choose from a huge

Gallery (free) at the Booths store where the

array of glass design to buy and take home.

exhibitions change regularly.

For more information go to visitlancashire.com/lythamstannes Glasform

The Spa at Ribby Hall Village

a Twilight Aqua Thermal Journey... St Annes Pier

visitlancashire.com

#wherelifefeelsgood

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STAY

WHILE LONGER Not far away from the coastal towns of Lytham and St Annes you’ll discover wonderful Lancashire countryside full of hidden gems; places to explore that may have passed you by but which are certainly worth taking the time

If you’re looking for more wildlife then a

The Fylde countryside is a haven for bird watching, ideal for walking and cycling and has plenty of pretty little villages filled with ‘chocolate box’ style cottages, cafes, tea rooms and specialist shops. Stop oﬀ in the pretty village of Wrea Green with its traditional village green, duck pond (known as The Dub) and church. From here you can pick up a five mile circular walk through the surrounding fields, skirting the edge of Ribby Hall Village and the tiny hamlet of Bryning. There’s excellent views towards Beacon Fell in Bowland and plenty of opportunity to spot birds and small mammals in the hedgerows.

/visitlythamstannes

for walking around an 18 hole golf course,

good starting point is the RSPB Ribble Discovery

with several championship courses within a

Centre at Fairhaven Lake, overlooking the

few miles including the host of the Open Golf

Ribble Estuary. It’s the most important single

Championship Royal Lytham St Annes Golf Course.

river estuary in the UK and attracts over

to discover.

@TourismFylde

All this fresh air and exercise is perfect for

270,000 birds each year so you’re pretty much

working up an appetite. Try the Cartford Inn in

guaranteed to see the likes of teal, wigeon and

Little Eccleston which was named Best Inn in

pintail overwintering here as well as waders

Britain in the 2016 Great British Pub Awards,

such as redshank and lapwing. Entrance is free

for great food which showcases the very best of

and there are special events throughout the year

the region’s producers and the chance to stay

for both families and more serious twitchers.

over in one of their 15 luxuriously designed

From here you can walk or cycle along the coast

bedrooms. Excitingly during 2017 they will also

all the way up to Fleetwood. The terrain is fairly

be unveiling two brand new Water’s Reach Sky

ﬂat with some smaller inclines and it’s a great

Lodges within the grounds of the inn, perfect

way to explore the coast.

for a decadent weekend away. There’s plenty of

There’s a wide choice of walking and

other pubs to choose from including the Ship at

cycling routes across the area, making use

Elswick, an independently run pub serving the

of the quiet country lanes, bridle paths and

finest local ingredients and great place to rest and

canal towpaths. You’re also in the right place

recover at the end of a long walk.

For more information go to visitlancashire.com/lythamstannes

Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club

Cartford Inn

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2 colour

2015

C55 M31 Y0 K8 R120 G152 B200 HEX #7898c8

St Annes Beach Huts, St Annes Logo Style Sheet APR 201 The Catalyst www.the-catalyst.co.uk

SUN, SEA AND SAND Take our quiz to help you decide whether you should have sand beneath your toes or campfires by moonlight.

SHEPHERDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S DELIGHT?

Do you yearn for a stunning sunset? YES

Do you love the sand beneath your toes? YES

NO Do you like How about a cosy camp ﬁre? YES

the sound of the sea lapping on the shore?

morning bird song

What’s your preference? lying in, under a warm duvet

stretched out on a deckchair

Do you love building sandcastles and playing beach rounders

wooden paths & hidden hamlets

Supper has to be sizzling sausages

fish & chips

Followed by a moonlit walk

a sunset stroll

e hir e to e v h a h !T You hut g h n i c ea call ab o! e is g d t i s us m sea you and

Stay in a sheph erd hu t! A nigh t in th e woods is the cooles t!

Shepherd Huts

St Annes Beach Huts

Set within the grounds of a medieval hall the Shepherd Hut

You'll love the chic interiors and the practical touches

Hamlet at Samlesbury Hall oﬀers luxury accommodation with a

(each beach hut comes with its own fridge, kettle, microwave,

rural edge. The hand-crafted shepherd huts are each furnished

deck chairs, cutlery and crockery) so you can concentrate on

with two double beds, ensuite bathrooms, ﬂuﬀy towels and

the really important stuﬀ. Relax with your friends and family

luxury toiletries – so not your usual camping experience. Nestled

whilst gazing out across the wide open sands St Annes.

in the Lancashire countryside the hamlet is great venue for

Even if the weather is less than ideal, there are heaters

groups of friends and family to stay together – there’s even a fire

and double-glazing so you stay snug and warm inside

pit available to you can enjoy camp fire songs well into the night.

eating fish and chips.

Lost?

Maybe hut dwelling’s not for you. Fear not, we’ve plenty of unique and beautiful accommodation choices available to tempt you. Find out more at visitlancashire.com

visitlancashire.com

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GREAT OUTDOORS

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samlesbury hall lancashireâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s historic home

FREE ENTRY!

Visit Lancashireâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s historic home and be transported back in time, where ghosts walk the rooms and history comes alive.

From exhibitions and family events to fantastic food and local Lancashire produce... Samlesbury Hall has something for everyone. Sunday - Friday 10am - 4pm Occasional Fri closing Saturdays - closed FREE ENTRY

Preston New Rd Samlesbury Preston PR5 0UP 01254 812010

www.samlesburyhall.co.uk

Wildlife for FREE ENTRY Car parking charges apply

Discover our 250 acre nature reserve and floating Visitor Village explore

play

EAT

Swing, climb, balance and bounce in the adventure play area

Relax in our floating Reedbed Restaurant and enjoy the beautiful lake view

look

Hunt out our series of trails and hides that bring you closer to nature

shop

Treat yourself to something in our gift shop, The Nest

Get in Touch 01772 872000 info@brockholes.org

www.brockholes.org Brockholes

@visitbrockholes

junction 31, m6 preston

Images by: Tony West and Jason Lock

Take a stroll along the river, discover our ancient woodland and amble around our lakes

SIR LOIN

he 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. debtor’s prison. Needless to say the King wasn’t

400 hundred years ago the Lancashire

invited back.

baronet invited King James I to stay at his

Today you can take a tour of the same

hilltop manor just outside Preston, welcoming the monarch with a huge red velvet carpet that

banqueting hall and staterooms visited by

stretched the full length of the ¾ mile driveway.

James I where you’ll also see the menu from the

During the three day visit the King enjoyed stag

famous ‘Sir Loin’ banquet. To commemorate the 400 year anniversary

hunting and dined lavishly in the company of dukes, earls and knights – all at the expense

there will be a number of events held throughout

of Sir Richard. It is said that the King was so

the year including a re-enactment of the King’s

enamoured by a loin of beef he ate during a

visit on 8-9 July. This impressive spectacle will

banquet at Hoghton Tower that he knighted

involve actors, local school children and will

it ‘Sir Loin’ which is how it got its name.

feature Stuart side shows and entertainment.

The unﬂagging hospitality sadly bankrupted Sir Richard and he spent some years in Fleet 84 |

HERITAGE & CULTURE

#wherelifefeelsgood

For more information go to visitlancashire.com |

visitlancashire.com

AMANDA PARKER... ...current lady of Browsholme Hall and Deputy Lieutenant of Lancashire might live in a 16th Century historic house but her passion for sustainability means she aims to ensure a future for this exceptional family home for future generations.

An historic house, lived in by the BowBearer of the Forest of Bowland and in continuous family occupation for over 500 years. That’s a great story in itself. Why do you need to pursue sustainable practises?

biomass boiler or our waste management plans they

A. Many in the heritage sector don’t believe that a

including a 20 acre Biological Heritage Site.

Grade 1 listed building can support a sustainable business; we have proved it can be done. As a result culturally, economically and environmentally, Browsholme has never been in a stronger place. Looking at every aspect of our family life and the visitor enterprise we undertake sympathetic renovation projects, finding new uses for historic buildings. We have found that we can improve facilities to help to increase visitor numbers that enhance their experience and minimise environmental impact. We have overcome planning, structural and recruitment hurdles by being ﬂexible and innovative in our approach. Energy use has been reduced with a conversion to renewable and eﬃcient sources. Rare wildlife is encouraged with sightings this year of kingfisher and otter, while also securing a habitat for our hedgehog population. Waste and thereby landfill are

will be interested to hear about how we encourage wildlife or that all the food & drink is from local businesses and producers. The Hall and Tithe Barn are surrounded by 20 acres of lakes and gardens, and 120 acres of managed woodland In 2015 visitors observed, in the parkland alone, fifty bird species, seventy-seven of moths (fourteen on national moth night) and eighteen hedgehogs were spotted on one night in September. The help of our visitors is essential to record these sightings. Visitors are offered leaflets describing the walks, flora and fauna they may see, with checkboxes so they can tell us what they have seen.

Now that you have been winner of the Lancashire Sustainable Tourism Award two years running, what new developments can visitors expect to see in 2017?

A. Over the last ten years our eﬀorts have been concentrated on the sustainability of the Hall and Tithe Barn. Now we would like to focus on the garden,

reduced and visitor numbers are growing.

parkland and water features by determining a

Q. What do visitors to the hall and gardens think

planting, an arboretum and paths and walks for all our

conservation and landscape plan that will include new

about what you’ve done?

visitors to enjoy.

A. We want our visitors to feel welcome in our home

with particular needs, for example partially sighted

and understand what we are doing. Whilst most people will not necessarily be interested in the eﬃciency of our

We are widening our welcome to encourage visitors and hard of hearing. With help from our guides we’ve designed sensory and signed guided tours and walks, inside the Hall and out in the gardens.

For more information on opening dates and times go to visitlancashire.com visitlancashire.com

#wherelifefeelsgood

HERITAGE & CULTURE

| 85

Browsholme Hall

Forest of Bowland, Clitheroe BB7 3DE The home of the Parker Family  Day Visitors Every Wednesday May—October 

Exclusive Group and Coach Tours By arrangement throughout the year



Garden Demonstrations and Workshops 

Decorated for Christmas Special

for groups, coach parties and day visitors and Simon Entwistle’s ‘Ghostly Tales of Christmas Past’

For full details and booking www.browsholme.com or 01254 827160 Disabled access , tearoom, free parking, coach and group tours, school visits, dogs welcome, wedding receptions and special events.

The hidden gem in the heart of Lancashire

HISTORY COMES ALIVE… …HIGH ON A HILL Join us for a fun-packed events calendar throughout the spring/summer period at Hoghton Tower House, tea room and gift shop opens April until October, Sunday to Thursday 01254 852986

www.hoghtontower.co.uk

Hoghton Tower, Hoghton, Preston PR5 0SH Registered charity no: 508357

HRS IN & AROUND ORMSKIRK Rare wildlife, fascinating Tudor history and gourmet dining brings together some of Lancashire finest for an idyllic short break.

RuďŹ&#x20AC;ord Old Hall 88 |

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visitlancashire.com

follow in Shakespeare’s footsteps and visit one of Lancashire’s finest Tudor buildings MORNING:

AFTERNOON:

EVENING:

Start early at WWT Martin Mere Wetland Nature

Follow in Shakespeare’s footsteps and visit

Spend a truly sumptuous evening and night at

Reserve to see more than 100 types of rare and

one of Lancashire’s finest Tudor buildings

the brand new Moor Hall (opened Feb 2017). Set

endangered water-birds. Get up-close to feed

Ruﬀord Old Hall, built in the 1530s. You will be

within five acres of beautiful gardens and with

them or watch from the comfort of one of the

wowed by the Tudor Great Hall and its beautiful

lake or garden views, each of the seven rooms

many hides, then pop into the Mere Side Café for

furniture, suits of armour and the carved oak

are individually decorated and luxuriously

a mid-morning coﬀee and cake. If you’re feeling

screen, a rare survivor from the 1500s. The

furnished with roll top baths and sumptuous

adventurous take a canoe safari through the

Hesketh family’s 400 year residency at Ruﬀord

décor – perfect for a romantic getaway.

wetland landscape or join a wardens talk.

is evidenced by numerous portraits, while the

Downstairs the fine dining restaurant will serve

grounds feature late-Victorian styled gardens,

you with a feast of the very best Lancashire

topiary an orchard and woodland walk.

produce, grown and reared within miles of the

Keeping with the bird-theme, take a short drive to The Aviary restaurant, Ormskirk. Taking its name from the aviary which holds over 100

End your day with a quick visit to Burscough

hall. Chef Patron Mark helped guide the team at

birds at the rear of the restaurant (containing a

Wharf, a unique shopping centre alongside the

Cumbria’s L’Enclume to five AA Rosettes, two

variety of parrots, canaries and other beautiful

Leeds Liverpool Canal with a range of food,

Michelin stars so we’re expecting great things

birds), The Aviary are passionate about good

drink, arts, crafts and fashion to browse.

from this new Lancashire restaurant. The nearby Arts Centre houses Edge Hill

food, using fresh, seasonal produce and serving

University’s Performing Arts Department and the

up a variety of meal choices.

Rose and Studio Theatre. Choose from a variety of comedy, dance, drama, literature, music, film, live theatre screenings, and family-friendly shows.

For more information go to visitlancashire.com/ormskirk

WWT Martin Mere

Moor Hall

see more than 100 types of rare and endangered water-birds Burscough Wharf

Ormskirk Town Centre

HRS IN LEYLAND Although known internationally for its truck making heritage, a visit to Leyland isn’t just for those who love the smell of a diesel engine. Discover a bustling market town, independent restaurants and quirky museums. After a night staying in the four star Hallmark

opened in 1951 the park is now Grade II listed

Leyland and a hearty breakfast wave hello to

and the Folly Coﬀee Shop is the latest business

Norma the Leyland Fire Engine (who lives right

to join the existing craft centre and arts studio.

outside the hotel) and head to the South Ribble

You’ll easily while away a few hours exploring

Museum (free), a short drive away. This timber

the park and browsing the crafts and gifts for sale.

framed Tudor school house now houses displays

Head back to Leyland for dinner at La Corte

about local history and archaeological finds from

Italian restaurant which is uniquely located

the area, along with regular art and photography

within the old police station. Prison cells have

exhibitions.

been transformed into intimate booths for

If you are ready for lunch, stroll into the

private dining and the former judge’s chambers

town centre and choose from one of the town’s

and courtroom are now the main dining room

characterful cafes. Lucy’s Teatime Treats and

with opulent chandeliers.

Curious Café both opened in 2016, and oﬀer

Finish the day with a pint, or two, of real

very tempting homemade cakes, freshly made

ale in one of the town’s micro-pubs such as the

lunches and afternoon tea. After lunch take a

Golden Tap and The Market Ale House. Cheers!

walk through Leyland Market and pop into some

If you’re staying for longer you could also

of the independent shops on the main street.

visit the British Commercial Vehicle Museum or

Just a few miles from the town centre,

take a drive out to Samlesbury Hall, a beautiful

Worden Park is over 100 acres of meadows,

stately home dating back to 1325 which has free

woodland water features and play areas. First

entry and a fantastic restaurant.

Norma the Leyland Fire Engine

Worden Park

100 acres of meadows, woodland water features and play areas...

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finish your day with a pint, or two, of real ale in one of the town’s micro-pubs

visitlancashire.com

For more information go to visitlancashire.com/leyland

WORLD’S FIRST

TRUCK TRAIL

COMES TO LEYLAND April 2017 will see the world’s first truck trail

part in Leyland’s trucking history incorporated in

come to the market town of Leyland. Thirteen

the design. In addition to this, visitors will be able

6-foot replica trucks will become a semi-permanent

to collect clues from each truck to enter the Truck

feature at sites around the town centre for six

Trail online competitions via the Truck Trail

months, celebrating Leyland’s 100 years of truck

website.

manufacturing heritage and inspiring a future generation of engineering capability. This is the first ever attraction of its kind and offers the perfect mix of going outdoors to explore the market town of Leyland, discovering local engineering heritage and its part in the history of the area, as well as allowing a fantastic educational element to a great day out with various ways to interact with the trucks as visitors make their way around the trail. Free illustrated maps will be available online and from retailers around the town, allowing visitors to navigate the route, stopping off at each of the thirteen trucks along the way to discover where they fit in to the timeline of truck development. Each unique, fun and colourful truck has been designed by Leyland-based marketing agency, Stone Create

The Truck Trail will draw crowds from far and wide – the designs will capture the imagination of children of all ages and help inspire our engineers of the future – even the big kids amongst us!

Councillor Peter Mullineaux of South Ribble borough Council said: ‘The Truck Trail will draw

The Truck Trail is also set to become one of

crowds from far and wide – the designs will

the main attractions of June’s Leyland Festival,

capture the imagination of children of all ages

an event that sees thousands of visitors from

– even the big kids amongst us!’

across the North West coming to the award-winning Worden Park in the town for a

All of the trucks have an interactive and

day of fun and activities to do for all. The

educational element to them. From the ‘Military

fourteenth and final truck on the trail, the truck

Martian’ to ‘The Comet’ and the ‘T45 Cruiser’

of the future, will be designed by local school

each unique truck will have a description and its

children will be unveiled at the festival.

For more information go to www.trucktrail.org.uk

Shop, dine & relax

Over 60 unique retailers including butchers, deli, fruit & veg, gifts, crafts, clothing, jewellery, handbags, art gallery, tea room & much more. • FREE entry and parking • 5 minutes from junction 27 M6 • 2 minutes from Charnock Richard Services www.heskinfarmersmarket.co.uk Heskin Farmers Market & Craft Centre @HeskinMarket Heskin Hall Estate, Wood Lane, Heskin, Chorley, Lancashire PR7 5PA 07599 831907

NEW

Supported

by:

ORDER YOUR FREE COPY FROM visitlancashire.com/pubs

HRS IN CHORLEY Spend a relaxing 24 hours exploring Chorley’s historic houses, famous market town and surrounding countryside.

Rivington

Go Ape: Rivington

Astley Hall

in the hall stands the Sirloin Chair, reputed to have been used by King James I when he knighted the loin of beef in 1617 A visit to Astley Hall is like a voyage into the

parkland pop into Café Ambio for a coﬀee and a

ice cream parlour, Massa’s. The only problem

past, to the time of Tudor and early Stuart

slice of homemade cake.

you’ll have is deciding which one to choose!

England (1580-1650) as you’ll get a rare

Next stop has to be a trip into Chorley

After lunch take a walk up to Rivington Pike

opportunity to experience life in an English

town centre for a spot of shopping at the

(a historic tower, reputed to date as far back

country house during this period. The Grade I

town’s famous market. Visit on a Tuesday and

as 1138) for breath-taking views of Rivington

listed hall is built around a central courtyard

you’ll have the pick of over 150 diﬀerent stalls

Reservoir and beyond. If there’s time, walk down

and contains a unique collection of furniture

including a fantastic range of locally grown

to the Anglezarke Reservoir for an easy ramble

and stunning Jacobean plasterwork ceilings.

produce and fresh seafood. Aside from the

along the shore. The more adventurous can

In the hall stands the Sirloin Chair, which is

market there are plenty of shops to browse

also give Go Ape: Rivington a try with treetop

reputed to have been used by King James I when

with a good mix of high street names and

obstacles and rope bridges.

he knighted the loin of beef. If you want to

independents to choose from.

explore this story further go to Hoghton Tower,

By now you’ll be ready for dinner so head to

You can’t visit Chorley without visiting

the 4 star Shaw Hill Country House Hotel for a

just north of Chorley, which is celebrating the

Fredericks, and sampling one of their award

delicious meal in the restaurant and a relaxing

400 year anniversary of the knighting with

winning ice creams. Perfected over four

night’s sleep in one of the individually styled

exhibitions and events throughout 2017. After

generations, the Federici family serve over 24

bedrooms of this Georgian manor house.

a walk around Astley Hall and its beautiful

diﬀerent ﬂavours of ice cream from their Chorley

For more information go to visitlancashire.com/chorley

Astley Hall and Gardens

Hoghton Tower

over 24 different flavours of ice cream...

Chorley Market visitlancashire.com

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| 95

HRS AROUND PENDLE

From witches to waterways explore this part of East Lancashire, famous for its links to the now notorious witch trials of 1612. Pendle Hill and its surrounding towns and villages are a truly bewitching area of Lancashire.

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blow away the cobwebs with a bracing walk around the Pendle Sculpture Trail After a great nights sleep and a delicious freshly

strenuous option with its exhibition about the

warehouses along the banks. If you want a more

cooked breakfast at the Forrest in Fence, blow

witch trials and there are numerous guided and

strenuous cycle route then the Grand Tour of

away the cobwebs with a bracing walk around

self-guided tours you can follow.

Pendle takes you on a 35 mile circular tour of the

When you’ve had enough of witches, head

The Pendle Sculpture Trail. Commemorating the famous witch trials

area but be warned it is hilly.

into Colne town centre for lunch. With a variety

Finish the day with a well-earned meal at

of 1612 the trail features a variety of artistic

of independent coﬀee shops, cafes and quirky

The White Swan in Fence. Chef and rising star

pieces and plaques about the so-called witches,

shops you’ll be brought bang up to date with the

Tom Parker serves up an ever changing menu

scattered through the woodland and hillside.

latest trends and great food. Try Green Chimney

of seasonal and local food, often serving

You’ll get great views of the mighty Pendle Hill

Bar or Bar 12 for lunch and then head back out

Lancashire classics with modern panache. His

through the trees as you spot which witch is

into the countryside for a boat trip on the Leeds-

repertoire has included a 17 course Lancashire

which. If the trail leaves you feeling inspired to

Liverpool Canal from Foulridge Wharf.

Tapas Night and a granita made with Sarsparilla.

discover more about the witch trials and to see

Take a cruise along this celebrated canal

Finish the evening with a show at the Colne

more of the surrounding countryside then the

awash with heritage and wildlife, or bring

Muni or the beautiful art deco theatre that is

Walking with Witches 7.5 mile walking route

your bike and cycle along the towpath. Look

Pendle Hippodrome.

starts from nearby Barley. Pendle Heritage

out for the kingfishers, swans and water voles

Centre in Barrowford oﬀers a slightly less

alongside the old Wharf Master’s House and old

For more information go to visitlancashire.com/pendle

The Atom

Vacary Walls nr Wycoller

Pendle Sculpture Trail

cruise along this celebrated canal, awash with heritage and wildlife...

Lancashire from above Last year Visit Lancashire commissioned SkyOptics to capture our stunningly beautiful county from the air and the result was a fantastic film that showcases Lancashire at its finest.

The Village of Downham, nestled in the Ribble Valley on the north side of Pendle Hill. With its lack of overhead electricity lines, aerials or satellite dishes it is a popular

ol Lloyd, pilot and founder of SkyOptics, relished the

choice as a film location.

opportunity to exploit the fantastic vantage point that the drones provided. He explained “Each of the locations had its own challenges. The downhill Enduro race at Lee

Quarry was exciting to film and allowed us to get some great high speed tracking shots with our drone. The East Lancashire Railway took a lot of planning and logistics to get the aerial shots of the trains. Morecambe was interesting, ﬂying out over the Bay area and Williamson Park was a challenge and took a lot of planning with the director of the walkabout theatre production. We wanted to film the action of the outdoor theatre, but rightly so, this had to be done with the drone never in line of sight of the audience. And Lytham Festival was exciting to ﬂy at when Bryan Adams was playing to several thousand people.” “I’ve been a keen cyclist for several years, but wasn’t aware of the amount of routes and great places to ride in the Forest of Bowland. When you see it from 400ft up, it’s certainly makes you want to go back and explore on two wheels.”

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GREAT OUTDOORS

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You’d never guess from the air that The Rivington Reservoirs were manmade (built between 1852-1857). Remains of buildings covered by water can still be seen when water levels are low. Explore the area around the reservoir by foot or bike and even through the treetops at Go Ape: Rivington.

...flying out over the Bay area and Williamson Park was a challenge and took a lot of planning... Lancaster Castle and Lancaster Priory Church occupy the summit of Castle Hill, standing proudly above the historic city of Lancaster. The The award winning St Annes Beach Huts were re-introduced

Church itself is a Grade 1 listed building and has seen Christian worship

to the promenade in 2012 (the previous huts had been

since Saxon times. It occupies the site of the original pre-1430s structure

demolished in the 1980s). St Annes Beach Huts were

and some of the old stone, belonging to the original Priory building,

the 2016 Visitor Experience Award winners in the annual

was used in the construction of this Medieval church. The views from

Lancashire Tourism Awards.

the church yard out across Morecambe Bay are worth the climb.

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GREAT OUTDOORS

#wherelifefeelsgood

visitlancashire.com

SkyOptics are approved by the Civilian Aviation Authority. All their technology, operations and procedures have been examined and fully approved by the Civil Aviation Authority.

Built for love between 1907 and 1909 and a familiar sight to many who travel along the M6. The Ashton Memorial in Lancaster’s Williamson Park is itself a fantastic panoramic view point to view the surrounding Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Morecambe Bay. It was built by Lord Ashton in memory of his wife Jessy and has been described as the Taj Mahal of the North.

Just outside Bacup and originally working quarries, Lee Quarry and its neighbour Cragg Quarry have been transformed into a mountain bike trail centre. Packed full of drops, berms, table top jumps, rock gardens and demanding climbs, to name just a few of the challenges, and it’s completely free to access.

The ﬁlm created by SkyOptics is available to watch via the Visit Lancashire channel on YouTube and on visitlancashire.com.

BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE MUSEUM A failing museum, council budget cuts and three passionate people who were determined to turn it into a successful cultural venue. It might sound like the synopsis for the latest bestseller but this is the true story of how three friends turned Rossendale Museum of old into the award winning museum and arts venue it is today.

e all have a favourite

personal connection to the Rawtenstall museum,

prepared for the adventure and steep learning

museum or art gallery but

they all knew it well and Jackie fondly recalls

curve that lay ahead.

do you love it enough to

childhood memories of sitting on the baby

take it over and run it as

elephant exhibit and visiting with her mother

12 months were tough. It took long hours and

a sustainable not-for-profit business? Well

who was a Friend of the Museum. Whilst they

working seven day weeks alongside volunteers

that’s exactly what local residents Carl, Jackie

had experience of running a commercial art

to transform the Rossendale Museum into The

and Julian decided to do in 2012. All three had a

gallery in a local village they certainly weren’t

Whitaker you’ll see today. Remarkably they

visitlancashire.com

They will be the first to admit that the first

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HERITAGE & CULTURE

| 103

only closed for two weekends during this time, renovating the space, adding a smart new café and bar, improving interpretation and reinventing The Whitaker into a contemporary cultural venue. Carl is keen to point out “We wanted to create a venue that was decorated in the styles we like, and has events and exhibitions about the things we were interested in. A place to call in for brunch with great coﬀee, a meeting space for local groups and clubs to meet, a live music venue and a hub for cultural events. But most of all we wanted a place that was unique to everyone” “To be fair we had the basics; the museum is set in the beautiful Whitaker Park, in a handsome Victorian building and we’ve got a treasure trove of curios and fascinating artefacts. It just needed a team like us with the vision and audacity to make it happen.” Look at The Whitaker website and you’ll see listed film nights, acoustic evenings every

don’t go quite go to plan or attendance at events

South Asian communities that moved to the area

Wednesday, poetry and spoken word events,

is low. “We’ve all invested so much into this

to work in the industry.”

family days, brunch specials and regular

place it is a real labour of love.”

In 2015 The Whitaker was named Cultural Venue of the Year in the annual Lancashire

changing art exhibitions in the new gallery on

Major achievements since opening include

the first ﬂoor. And let’s not forget the original

becoming an oﬃcial accredited museum which

Tourism Awards which was a major milestone

museum collections. Carl still loves the reaction

has opened the door to potential funding. It is

for the team and gave them a great sense of

from new visitors. “It’s the best feeling when

hoped that a recent Heritage Lottery Bid will

what they’d achieved. “What a year that was.

you see visitors getting excited about exhibits.

provide the funds to renovate the adjoining

As well as the award we had a fantastic response

From our rather eerie shrunken heads to the

barn and stables into an exhibition and venue

to a 1970s Music Poster and Album Exhibition.

famous Tiger & Python, the only piece of its kind

space. Jackie adds “The bigger space will give

Local bands performed, we had talks from the

in the UK. We’ve got some cracking exhibits,

community groups the ability to hold events,

designers and even attracted coverage on BBC

and it makes us all really proud when someone

and we hope to house an exhibition about the

Radio 6 Music. Visitors came from across the

reacts positively.”

heritage of shoe and slipper making in the area.

north west. It was great.”

It is absorbing history, especially the incredible

At the other end of the scale Carl admits it’s

contributions and inﬂuences from the Irish and

hard not to take things personally when things

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HERITAGE & CULTURE

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visitlancashire.com

For more information go to visitlancashire.com

Towneley Hall, Park & Gardens

A great day out

Towneley Hall, a 14th Century historic house with art gallery and museum, located in 400 acres of beautiful parkland, provides all the ingredients for a fun, adventurous and educational day out.

/Towneley

burnley.co.uk/towneley

01282 477130

HRS

IN ROSSENDALE’S ADRENALINE VALLEY Take a deep breath and get ready to go! Escape to the beautiful Rossendale Valley in East Lancashire for an energising family break you’ll never forget. Grip & Go

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Ski Rossendale

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visitlancashire.com

Start the day with a splash (or hopefully not) at the Whitworth Water-Ski Academy with a water-skiing lesson on the beautiful Cowm Reservoir. All abilities and ages are catered for and equipment is provided. Once everyone has dried oﬀ, drive over to the Whitaker in Rawtenstall for lunch. This beautiful and stylish museum café is set in the beautiful grounds of Whitaker Park and they pride themselves on using local suppliers in the café. Choose from seasonal soups, tapas style dishes and if you visit on a Sunday, we recommend The Whitaker full breakfast brunch. After lunch check out the latest art exhibition and the Victorian natural history collection which includes some very unique taxidermy. Now you’re re-fuelled you’ll be ready to head out onto the slopes for an afternoon of skiing and snowboarding at Ski Rossendale. It’s the north west’s biggest outdoor ski and snowboard centre with a choice of slopes depending on ability and lessons available. New developments at the centre in 2017 will include

the north west’s biggest outdoor ski and snowboard centre with a choice of slopes

a brand new café complex so you’ll be able to pop in for some apres ski refreshments when you’re done. If you’ve still got energy to burn then

After such a busy day you’ll have earned a

Round oﬀ a great day by staying in a

finish the day with a session on the climbing

steak at the Firepit in Rawtenstall but don’t be

Rossendale Holidays Glamping Pod, nestled

walls at Grip & Go at the Adrenaline Centre, in

fooled this is no ordinary steak restaurant. Order

in the hills above Rawtenstall. Each pod has

Haslingden. Anyone from aged four and up can

Steak on a Stone and you’ll get your choice of

its own elevated decking, perfect for wildlife

attempt to scale the 18 diﬀerent walls and for

steak served on a slab of 350ºC lava rock. Finish

watching and star gazing after dark. Inside, curl

those brave enough there is the very daunting

the night with some live music at The Artisan

up in cosy full size beds after an exhausting but

leap of faith challenge.

Rawtenstall.

incredibly fun day.

For more information go to visitlancashire.com/rossendalevalley

The Water Ski Academy

Rossendale Holidays Glamping Pod

wildlife watching and star gazing after dark...

The Whitaker

Café at The Whitaker

SHORT BREAKS

in Kirkby Lonsdale...

Kirkby Lonsdale is a famously picturesque town, renowned for its photogenic charm. Enchanting, characterful buildings separated by narrow cobbled lanes are framed by a landscape of rare beauty. In short, the most spectacular setting for a short break. Whether you’re taking in the stunning scenery or strolling around the shops, there’s plenty to see and do. And when you’ve exhausted the great outdoors head back to The Royal Hotel for a sumptuous meal and relaxing overnight stay in one of our boutique bedrooms, followed by a fabulous breakfast the following morning.

2 night

Dirty Boots

Midweeker from

SHORT BREAKS from

£135

per couple*

One night dinner, bed and breakfast. Everything you need for the perfect getaway!

£260

per couple*

Includes two nights in a beautiful boutique bedroom, a three course dinner each night and a hearty English breakfast.

The Royal Hotel, Main Street, Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria LA6 2AE 01524 271966 | www.royalhotelkirkbylonsdale.co.uk Based on two sharing a standard double room. Full terms and conditions of the offer at www.royalhotelkirkbylonsdale.co.uk

#WHERELIFEFEELSGOOD

e all just love taking photos, be it on our phones or our cameras, we are taking more photos than ever before. As much as we like to take photographs we also love to share them.

Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, twitter, Snapchat; our social media time lines are bursting with photos of friends and family, fabulous views, meals we eat, cute animals, the list is endless. Some make you smile, others make you a tiny bit jealous and some make you want to drop everything and go on holiday that very day. When you visit Lancashire in 2017 don’t forget to capture some of your favourite sights and experiences and then tag online using #Wherelifefeelsgood so we can share with the world just how much you are enjoying yourself. We asked Andrew Barton from Fat Badger Photography to give us some pointers on capturing the best photographs.

SHOOT AT NIGHT Keep your camera as still as possible. Low light means your camera will select a longer shutter speed. Consider using a tripod or a nearby wall to support your camera in order to reduce blur in your shot.

EATS, SHOOTS & LEAVES The key to good food photography is lighting. Try to place a light above the food in order to reduce the amount of shadows. You could use a piece of tracing paper to diﬀuse the light and make it softer on your subject.

ACTION!

sharply as possible. If your camera

UP CLOSE WITH NATURE

allows, select a fast shutter speed

Always try and take the images

such as 1/1000th of a second or

from the same height as the

Action shots in general mean that your subject is fast moving and as a photographer you’ll want to try and capture your subject as

more, which will help to stop

subject. Getting eye-line

the action. Some cameras have

perspective gives a sense of being

a ‘sport’ mode which will help.

immersed in the animal’s world.

Tips provided by Fat Badger Photography

Share your images with Visit Lancashire using #Wherelifefeelsgood

based at Burscough Wharf, near Ormskirk. Fat Badger were also commissioned by Visit Lancashire to take the photography for the Lancashire Feast feature on the

@visitlancashire

VisitLancashire

visitlancashire.com

cover and in the article on pages 12-17. Find out more at Fatbadger.photo

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PHOTOGRAPHY

| 109

From Wordsworth and the Brontë sisters to Tolkien and Carol Ann Duﬀy, Lancashire’s history and landscapes has inspired a ream of poetry and classic novels.

WALKING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF

LITERARY GREATS Well-read in the Ribble Valley Many areas of the UK claim to have inspired JRR

Whatever the connection this historic 17th

Tolkien’s creation of middle earth but the author

century inn is now a welcoming gastro pub, with

certainly spent much of his time at Stonyhurst

stylish rooms and is also dog friendly so they get

College whilst he was working on Lord of The

to explore ‘the shire’ as well.

Rings during the Second World War. Many have

Also linked to Stonyhurst College is

found connections with the landscape around

Victorian crime writer Arthur Conan Doyle

Stonyhurst and a number of names which occur

who was a student from September 1868. The

in The Lord of the Rings are similar to those

dramatic college building is said to have inspired

found locally. The five and a half mile Tolkien

some of the locations in his Sherlock Holmes

Trail explores the Ribble landscape that may

novel The Hound of the Baskervilles. Most

have inspired him, starting and finishing at

notably as Baskerville House is described just

the Shireburn Arms in Hurst Green. Stay for

like the West Front at Stonyhurst, mullioned

the night or call in for a pint, though we can’t

windows, a central block with ‘twin towers,

promise you’ll find the Hobbit’s favourite,

ancient, crenelated’, and ‘to right and left more

Barliman’s Best, on tap.

modern wings’. Records show that a boy named

Some say that the Shireburn name (local

twin towers, ancient, crenelated...

Moriarty was also at Stonyhurst at the same time

landowners) may have inﬂuenced the naming

as Doyle so he may have drawn on his school

of the River Shirebourn in Lord of the Rings.

years for other inspiration.

Stonyhurst College, Hurst Green visitlancashire.com

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HERITAGE & CULTURE

| 111

Wycoller Park, Colne

Brontë Rambles self-catering cottage near Colne. Although there are no actual links to the Brontё sisters at this

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

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FOOD AND DRINK

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cosy cottage who could resist this tribute to Emily's famous brooding anti-hero. Charlotte Brontë also visited her neighbour Sir James Kay-Shuttleworth at Gawthorpe Hall on a number of occasions in the 1850s and it was whilst staying at Gawthorpe that her pseudonym ‘Currer Bell’ was blown. Sir James showed her the sights of his district including the ruins of Whalley Abbey near Clitheroe. Follow the Gawthorpe four mile circular walk and you’re likely to be following in Charlotte’s footsteps. The walk includes the nearby town of Padiham and the grounds and woodland of Gawthorpe Hall. After the grandeur of Gawthorpe Hall play Lord and Lady of the manor in the exclusive Woodland Spa Apartment in Burnley and make use of the award-winning Woodland Spa.

visitlancashire.com

FEELING INSPIRED… Gain a better understanding of Lancashire’s literary past and future at one of the LitFest events.

Lancaster LitFest, 3 – 26 March,

The Storey Gallery and other city centre venues.

Burnley Literary Festival, October,

Burnley Mechanics Theatre and other venues

every feature which constitutes a perfect landscape.

The Inspirational Lune Valley John Ruskin, the Victorian artist, poet and art critic famously wrote of the Lune Valley ‘I do not know in all my own country, still less in France and Italy, a place more naturally divine.’ The spot in Kirkby Lonsdale is now known as Ruskin’s View and is still a great vantage point to view the area. Stay over at The Royal Hotel in the town centre so you can visit early before anyone else. The Lune Valley, also painted by Turner and Constable, particularly impressed the 18th century poet Thomas Gray who described the Crook O’Lune in particular as having “every feature which constitutes a perfect landscape.” You can walk or ideally cycle from Lancaster to Caton and the Crook ‘O’ Lune (a sharp bend in the river likened to a shepherds crook), 15km along the banks of the River Lune. You’ll pass Gray’s Seat and so can see for yourself what the poet so admired, since the view has barely changed. The Fenwick at Claughton (between Caton and Kirkby Lonsdale) is a 250 year old country inn that’s been refurbished as a four star inn and gastro-pub with large open fires, low-beamed ceilings, oak planked ﬂoors and fantastic food. You can almost imagine Thomas Grey calling Lune Valley

in for a ﬂagon of ale after a day of walking and musing.

The stones of Lancaster do sometimes whisper Wordsworth Literary Lancaster The Literary Lancaster two and a half mile walking tour takes you on literary journey via eight key locations and gives you the opportunity to dip into a range texts which have been inspired by the ancient city. Did you know Wordsworth wrote a sonnet titled ‘Suggested by the View of Lancaster Castle’ or Charles Dickens used The Royal Hotel as a location for one of his stories? Morecambe Bay (as viewed from the Ashton Memorial or the church yard or The Priory) has been much eulogised and the dangerous sands and tides mentioned in many stories, including one by Victorian novelist Elizabeth Gaskell. The castle is most famously known for its links to the Lancashire Witch Trials of 1612 which have been commemorated by many including Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duﬀy who was commissioned to write a poem as part of the 400 year anniversary in 2012. The trail also mentions The Royal Kings Arms on Market Street. There’s been a hotel on the site of this Grade II listed building since 1625, and Charles Dickens and fellow author Wilkie Collins stayed in 1857 (the building was demolished in 1879). This visit formed part of their northern tour which inspired ‘The Lazy Tour of two Idle Apprentices’ which was published in October 1857. The now Royal Hotel is right opposite The Storey Gallery, home to Lancaster LitFest and a very short walk from Lancaster Castle itself. Although recently refurbished they’ve kept the beautiful late Victorian stained glass and minstrel’s gallery. Charles Dickens had previously visited Lancashire at the beginning of 1854, when he stayed

For more information on all the

at Hoghton Tower near Preston. The then heavily

routes and places mentioned go

industrial town of Preston is believed to be the

to visitlancashire.com

inspiration for his social novel Hard Times, the only one of his novels not to have scenes in London. visitlancashire.com

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| 113

HRS IN & AROUND LANCASTER

History runs through the cobbled streets of this compact city. From the hilltop castle overlooking the glorious Morecambe Bay to the Lancaster Canal winding its way through the city’s industrious past and out into the surrounding countryside; Lancaster is a small city with a big story. The City Museums

The City Museum

Lancaster Market Square

Small enough to explore on foot, and right on the West Coast Main Line (not to mention the M6), a visit to the historic city of Lancaster is more than just your usual city break. 48 hours in Lancaster allows you to explore the streets and attractions of the city and the stunning countryside beyond.

a guided tour of the castle. The tour includes the medieval dungeons, the Drop Room (for public hangings), and the court rooms, still in use, with its branding irons for malefactors (thankfully not still in use). While you’re up on Castle Hill take half an hour to visit Lancaster Priory, adjacent to the castle. Parts of the church date back to Saxon times and it has beautiful medieval carved choir stalls, enhanced with more recent embroideries. After lunch in one of Lancaster’s cafes or old school pubs, visit Williamson Park and the Ashton Memorial. The memorial is the domed building on the skyline to the east of the city which has probably been catching your eye all the time you’ve been in the city. Head east across the city centre and cross Dalton Square in front of Lancaster Town Hall under the

DAYONE

unsmiling eyes of Queen Victoria. You reach Williamson Park by walking up to the top of East Road: half-way up is Lancaster Cathedral, not as ancient a building as the Priory, but equally inviting and with a beautifully painted interior. Once at the park, explore the meandering paths running throughout its 54

If you want to get a feel for the history of

Music Room in Sun Square and The Hall on

acres of stunning parkland. Why not visit The

Lancaster, there’s no better place to start than

China Street serve freshly ground coﬀee and

Mini Beast Centre which is also home to an

at one of the museums. The City Museum, a fine

delicious cakes, and The Print Room in The

engaging troop of meerkats, or, during the

Georgian building in Market Square and once

Storey serves a great range of drinks and home-

spring and summer months, view the exotic

the town hall, oﬀers an overview of Lancaster’s

cooked food. Whilst in The Storey, pop into

butterﬂies in the tropical palm house. On

history from Roman to current times and regularly

Lancaster Visitor Information Centre (Open Mon

summer evenings The Dukes theatre puts on

hosts interesting exhibitions on the ground ﬂoor.

- Sat 10am – 4pm) to pick up maps and leaﬂets.

magical open-air plays in the park.

Alternatively, wander down China Street to the

But if your visit doesn’t fall during the

No introduction to Lancaster would be

river and walk along St George’s Quay to the

complete without a visit to Lancaster Castle,

summer, there is still plenty to do in the

Maritime Museum, another fine Georgian building

founded (it is thought) in the 11th Century and

evening. The Dukes oﬀers both live theatre

and once the Port of Lancaster Custom House.

used as a prison, amongst other things, from

entertainment and cinema screenings. The

the end of the 12th Century until 2011. You can

Grand Theatre hosts drama, comedy and music

now visit parts of the one-time prison and take

events throughout the year.

Grab a mid-morning coﬀee in Lancaster’s newly-established ‘Coﬀee Quarter’. Atkinsons’

The Dukes Promenade Theatre

grab a mid-morning coffee in Lancaster’s ‘Coffee Quarter’

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SHORT BREAK

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48 DAYTWO

HRS IN & AROUND LANCASTER

It’s time to head out of Lancaster to visit

along the main street which oﬀers a number of

my country, a place more naturally divine...”

the beautiful surrounding countryside and

attractive boutique gift shops, antique shops and

From here, continue down the Radical Steps and

coastline with a day in Kirkby Lonsdale or

independent cafés.

along the river footpath to Devil’s Bridge with

After a picnic lunch by the river or lunch at

Carnforth and Silverdale.

its three ribbed medieval arches. Legend has it

The Royal Hotel on Kirkby’s main street, take

that the devil appeared to an old woman, and

Lonsdale, home to many 17th and 18th Century

a moment to admire the wonderful Ruskin’s

promised to build a bridge in exchange for the

buildings. Visit the Georgian Market Square

View - a stunning panorama of the Lune

first soul to cross it. As the bridge was finished,

with its Victorian covered stone cross which still

Valley which moved John Ruskin, art critic and

the woman threw bread over the bridge and her

hosts a lively market every Thursday, or stroll

philanthropist, to declare, “I do not know in all

dog chased after it, thereby outwitting the Devil.

Enjoy a leisurely morning in Kirkby

“I do not know in all my country, a place more naturally divine...” John Ruskin

Devils Bridge

Morecambe Promenade

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HERITAGE & CULTURE

#wherelifefeelsgood

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outstanding example of Art Deco design with stunning panoramic views across Morecambe Bay public transport or bicycle. Family activities take

across Morecambe Bay. Facing the sea, you can

to Carnforth Railway Station, made famous

place in the summer holidays and Wednesday

sit outside or within the glass fronted veranda,

by the film Brief Encounter, and now lovingly

Walkabouts are guided walks themed to suit the

as you sip your drink and watch the ever

restored as an award-winning heritage centre.

season and wildlife. The cafĂŠ at Leighton Moss

changing scenery of the bay and the undulating

The station refreshment rooms have been

boasts the Taste Lancashire Award and serves a

Lake District hills beyond. Before retiring to

restored to resemble the set used in the film and

wide selection of locally sourced, seasonal food.

bed, take an evening stroll down the Stone Jetty,

Alternatively, catch the train from Lancaster

After a busy day of walking and exploring

now serve delicious refreshments daily.

home to a series of art works known as the

the countryside, your thoughts are probably

TERN project, stretching away from the Midland

alight here to visit RSPB Leighton Moss Nature

turning to dinner? The place to go for a magical

into the Bay. Remember to wrap up warm as

Reserve, a 250m walk from the railway station

experience is the Midland Hotel in Morecambe.

the breeze at the end of the jetty even on a fine

and home to a wealth of amazing wildlife. There

The Midland is an outstanding example of Art

evening can be chilly â&#x20AC;&#x201C; although the amazing

is free entry to the nature trails when arriving by

Deco design with stunning panoramic views

sunsets more than make up for this!

Hop back on the train to Silverdale and

For more information go to visitlancashire.com/lancaster Midland Hotel

RSPB Leighton Moss & Morecambe Bay Nature Reserve

amazing sunsets

City of Heritage Unlock castle prison walls or admire Georgian splendour. Lancaster is one of Englandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Heritage Cities with a big story to tell.

www.visitlancaster.org.uk (01524) 582394

Free Entry

ee s t th e Meerkat

TO THE PARK

01524 33318 www.lancaster.gov.uk/williamsonpark

Enjoy fantastic facilities for all of the family at Salt Ayre Leisure Centre! XHeight indoor climbing, Energy indoor soft play, Gravity Europe’s first outdoor flight tower, indoor heated swimming pool with slide, Refuel Cafe serving delicious food and much more!

AND THE WINNER IS…

he end of 2016 saw one of our most successful tourism celebrations to date. Held in the magnificent Blackburn Cathedral the Lancashire Tourism Awards celebrated the huge variety of businesses who make Lancashire a great

place to visit and stay. Be sure to include a visit to any of our winners on your next visit to Lancashire.

• BEST HOTEL AWARD

Northcote, Langho

26ft multi-level structure, up to 12 yrs (max 148cm high). £4 per child, under 1s free

• BOUTIQUE ACCOMMODATION AWARD

Hipping Hall, Kirkby Lonsdale

• SELF-CATERING HOLIDAY AWARD

Brickhouse Farm Holiday Cottages, Hambleton

• SMALL VISITOR ATTRACTION AWARD

Carnforth Station Heritage Centre

Europe’s first outdoor flight tower! Test your nerve and leap from the 21m apex, The Drop.

18 exhilarating panels,

Are you brave enough?

5 yrs +. Junior - £8, Adult £10

• LARGE VISITOR ATTRACTION AWARD

The Blackpool Tower

• VISITOR EXPERIENCE AWARD

St Annes Beach Huts, Lytham St Annes

OPEN DAILY www.lancaster.gov.uk/saltayre | 01524 847 540

• TOURISM PUB AWARD

The Three Fishes, Whalley

• TASTE LANCASHIRE AWARD

La Locanda Ristorante Italiano, Gisburn

Assembly Rooms Emporium

• SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AWARD

Browsholme Hall and The Tithe Barn, Clitheroe

• ACCESS FOR ALL AWARD

Sandcastle Waterpark, Blackpool

Step back in time at one of Lancaster’s 18th century heritage buildings & enjoy an intriguing mix of stalls selling authentic vintage, retro & alternative clothing, books, jigsaws & handmade craft & gift items. The Assembly Rooms Emporium is open: Tuesday - Friday 10am - 4.30pm Saturday 10am - 5.30pm

• CONFERENCE OR MEETING VENUE AWARD

Winter Gardens Blackpool

• WEDDING VENUE AWARD

The Wellbeing Farm, Turton

• SMALL TOURISM EVENT AWARD

Chorley Flower Show

• LARGE TOURISM EVENT AWARD

Vintage By The Sea, Morecambe

• CULTURAL VENUE OR ORGANISATION AWARD

Burnley Mechanics, Burnley

• LANCASHIRE PRODUCERS & MAKERS AWARD

Bowland Brewery, Clitheroe

• NEW BUSINESS AWARD

Lancaster Music CIC, Lancaster

For more information visit: www.lancaster.gov.uk/assemblyrooms Tel: 01524 414251 /assemblyroomsemporium

• LANCASHIRE TOURISM SUPERSTAR

Leye D Johns from VIVA Blackpool

For more information go to visitlancashire.com visitlancashire.com

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AWARDS

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e r i h s a c n a yM L Lancaster Castle

Heysham Barrows

Lancashire was pleased to welcome a visit from award winning travel writer and self-proclaimed ‘happy northerner’

ZOE DAWES

THE QUIRKY TRAVELLER Q. What do you love about living in Carnforth?

Q. As Britain’s Best Culture and History blogger

A. It’s a small, friendly place, with good shops and

2015 – what do you think are Lancashire’s top historical and cultural assets?

it’s not been ‘tarted up’. It’s very handy to get to places. There’s a good train service from the ‘Brief Encounter’

A. So tough to choose a few – we have a fantastic

station, it’s only half an hour into the Lake District or

heritage. One of the top historical sights is Lancaster

Yorkshire, good local transport links and the M6 is on

Castle. It has buildings dating back to the 11th Century,

my doorstep.

it was the site of the Lancashire Witches trial and has

Q. When you’re not travelling the globe where do Heysham Barrows

you go to relax?

one of England’s oldest working courts. We have a rich industrial heritage; Queen Street Mill and Textile Museum, Burnley is a good place to see this. We have many excellent art galleries and museums, including

A. Morecambe Bay is just up the road and I often

some real gems like the Harris Museum in Preston.

walk along the Jetty or say hi to Eric on the Prom. My

I love outdoor art so the Pennine Panopticons are

favourite local spot to relax is Heysham Barrows; I often

another favourite. Blackpool has probably got the

wander up there and admire the views across the Bay.

richest seaside history in the world.

Sometimes I just get in my car and set oﬀ to explore somewhere new. I’m forever getting lost in the Trough

Q. What do you think makes Lancashire a

of Bowland; it’s so pretty. Lancaster is just up the road

‘quirky’ place to visit and stay?

and has a couple of great theatres, plus plenty of pubs and restaurants to eat out with friends.

A. Lancashire is one of the UK’s lesser known counties so it’s less ‘touristy’, more real and visitors

Q. What’s your favourite Lancashire food?

benefits from discovering its charms. There are unspoilt villages, great seaside attractions, interesting towns and

A. I was born in Lancashire (Southport was in

our county city, Lancaster, is developing a really vibrant

Lancashire then!) and we grew up on Lancashire Cheese.

arts and creative scene. We are still a working county

I’ve moved from crumbly to VERY tasty now, so Mrs

and our heritage is bound up in our every-day lives. So

Kirkhams is tops for me. I still make Lancashire Hotpot

many places in the UK have lost that genuine feeling

for my son (not as good as my Mum’s) and we used

of place, but we have it in bucket-loads here. Food and

to have parkin every Bonfire Night. I often go over

drink are becoming hugely important as we celebrate

to Lancaster Smokehouse at Glasson Dock for their

local produce and quality cuisine. Quirky Travel is about

excellent smoked fish. The Burrows in Lancaster and is

looking for unusual places and finding the unfamiliar

a good place to eat and the Edelweiss Café in Carnforth

in the familiar; Lancashire has both. People think they

serves great toasties.

know Lancashire but they need to visit to discover its true personality. Although I travel all over the world, I still love coming back home to Lancashire.

Follow The Quirky Traveller @quirkytraveller and read about her travels at thequirkytraveller.com

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“I love you. I love your wide eyes, the way you smile, your shyness, and the way you laugh at my jokes.”

CAUGHT ON

CAMERA

What do Brief Encounter, The Trip and Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children all have in common? Whether it be a quaint railway station, award winning restaurants or iconic landmarks these and many other television programmes and ﬁlms have been ﬁlmed in Lancashire.

f you’ve ever wondered where your favourite TV

drama which saw the pair travelling around Lancashire,

series was filmed, or been momentarily distracted

Cumbria and Yorkshire posing as restaurant critics. These

by a stunning view in the background of a film and

locations weren’t particularly diﬃcult to pin point but did

thought you’d like to go there, you are not alone.

you spot Queen Street Textile Mill in the Oscar winning

In fact screen tourism is a growing phenomenon with

The Kings Speech and the TV drama an Inspector Calls? Or

more people than ever choosing to visit a location they’ve

perhaps Morecambe Winter Gardens in the mini-series Close

seen on screen. Whether you are inspired by the dramatic

to the Enemy? We didn’t spot Lancaster Castle’s prison in the new

scenery or want to re-live your favourite screen moments

series of Cold Feet but perhaps you did? The prison, only

you are in good company. Lancashire’s historic buildings, countryside and seaside

closed to inmates in 2011, was also used in the 2014 film Get

resorts have provided a backdrop for a wide variety of TV

Santa starring Jim Broadbent, and this part of the castle is

programmes and film, some you might have spotted and

now included on the guided tour if you’re interested to see

others that were cleverly disguised.

the location in more detail. More recently Rivington Pike and the surrounding

Bookings to the Inn at Whitewell and Hipping Hall (2016 Boutique accommodation of the year in the Lancashire

landscape near Chorley provided a suitably dramatic location

Tourism Awards) went through the roof after Steve Coogan

for A Monster Calls, released in early 2017, staring Sigourney

and Rob Brydon visited during The Trip – a six part comedy

Weaver and Liam Neason as the voice of the monster. More obvious locations which are also open to the

capturing the imagination of audiences for over 70 years

public include Hoghton Tower in Last Tango in Halifax and Stonyhurst College in the ghostly TV movie Tractate Middoth directed by Mark Gatiss, although Stonyhurst is probably still most famous for its appearance in the 1990 film Three Men and a Little Lady staring Tom Selleck. You certainly won’t miss Blackpool in the 2016 film Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. Look out for the Blackpool Tower and Circus, North Pier and the promenade in this Tim Burton blockbuster staring Samuel L Jackson. Tim Burton enjoyed his time filming in Blackpool so much that he switched on the Illuminations in 2015. But perhaps the granddaddy of all film locations is Carnforth Station which posed as Mitford Junction in the ultimate romantic classic Brief Encounter. David Lean’s classic 1945 film ranks second in the British Film Institute’s Top 100 ‘best British films’ list and has continued to capture the imagination of audiences for over 70 years. Interestingly, as it was filmed at the end of the second World War the Ministry of Transport chose the station as a film location because it was deemed safe from enemy fire, and filming took place at night so not to interrupt regular train services. The external filming of the ‘Milford Junction’ refreshment room used film ‘ﬂats’ specially erected on Carnforth station, however following restoration work the genuine refreshment room bares a very close resemblance, so you can still imagine yourself as Celia Johnson or Trevor Howard when you take tea in the visitor centre café or stand beneath the famous clock. As well as a great little café Carnforth Station Heritage Centre (Winner of the 2016 Visitor Attraction Award at the Lancashire Tourism Awards) includes a fascination exhibition about Brief Encounter featuring the film itself on continuous play, changing exhibitions and shop.

For more information go to visitlancashire.com

The King’s Speech at Queen Street Textile Mill

Stonyhurst College, Hurst Green

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Don’t forget it’s

#WorldMarriageDay on 12 February

PERFECT VENUE & DAY If you are looking to the natural world for inspiration when planning your wedding day then where better to start than in Lancashire’s rolling hills, windswept moors and stunning countryside. Embrace the beauty and natural tranquillity of tying the knot outdoors by using natural decorations, mismatched pots and hand-picked wildﬂowers to make your wedding day timeless and unique.

For weekly wedding updates follow #LancsWedHour every Thursday 3-4pm on twitter and get some inspiration for your perfect wedding in Lancashire.

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LANCASHIRE WEDDING VENUES THAT MAKE THE MOST OF THE NATURAL WORLD

For somewhere slightly quirky the Lancashire Tourism Awards wedding venue winner 2016 is The Wellbeing Farm in Edgeworth. This unique venue comes complete with bow tie-wearing llamas, vintage tractors and even rustic barns, nestled on a Pennine hillside.

Take your vows whilst ﬂoating on water at the 250 acre Brockholes Nature Reserve, Preston. Share your day with the rare and varied species of birds and wildlife who live and visit the reserve. You could give your guests binoculars and bird feeders to commemorate the day.

The Gibbon Bridge Hotel has over 35 years of experience in celebrating weddings and embraces the natural world by holding ceremonies in a bandstand surrounded by mature trees, rolling lawns and cottage garden flowerbeds. At the request of a bride recently, The Gibbon Bridge developed a bespoke wildflower garden so she could have ‘home-grown’ flowers at her wedding.

The 17th Century Tithe Barn situated in the grounds of the historic Browsholme Hall is surrounded by picturesque gardens, parkland and a romantic boating lake, where you can pose on a boat for romantic wedding photos.

Wellbeing Farm, Edgeworth

(But please don’t fall in!)

Foxfields Country Hotel and Wedding Venue, situated within nine beautiful acres of the Ribble Valley, have recently opened their new Woodland Walk which not only provides a stunning backdrop but it also gives guests somewhere to explore whilst they are waiting for the photographs to finish.

WHY NOT TRY…

Hen and stag activities to try in Lancashire

COOKERY SCHOOL CELEBRATION Cook up a treat with your hen or stag party at

BREW YOUR OWN BEER

the award-winning Northcote Cookery School

Getting married at Holmes Mill? New for 2017

in Langho. Choose from a range of exciting and

stags and hens can brew their own cask ale

inspirational culinary courses at one of the UK’s

with Bowland Beer based at the mill and then

top culinary schools and then sit down to eat

serve the beer on the big day to wedding guests,

and enjoy all your hard work.

branded with its own unique name. BEACH HUT PARTY

Bring together both wedding parties with a day by the seaside by hiring a couple of the award winning St Annes Beach Huts. Equipped with fridges, kettles and the all-important glasses, the huts provide a luxury base for the lots of fun and games on the beach. We challenge you to a game of rounders, hens vs stags! visitlancashire.com

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WEDDINGS

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Meetings, Events, Functions and Accommodation

Great value 3* accommodation at the University of Cumbriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lancaster campus, close to the city centre. Self-catered, single study bedrooms, free Wi-Fi in all the rooms, shared kitchen facilities and a mix of en-suite and shared bathroom facilities. A comfortable, cost effective alternative to a hotel or hostel, with personal service and superb catering. For further information visit www.cumbria.ac.uk/conferences or to make a booking contact us at: University of Cumbria Bowerham Road Lancaster LA1 3JD t: 01524 384460 e: conferences.lancaster@cumbria.ac.uk Copyright ÂŠ University of Cumbria 2016 (UOC 825)

REST AND RELAXATION

from Lancashire’s Award Winners

Well known as being a Michelin starred restaurant, did you know Northcote currently holds the title of AA Hotel of the Year 2016/17 and is the Lancashire Tourism Awards Hotel of the Year 2016?

ith 26 individually sumptuously styled rooms and suites, many with views over the gardens and the Ribble Valley beyond, transform an evening out into an exquisite gourmet break. Wake in

the morning to one of Northcote’s famous Lancashire breakfasts or might we suggest something a little diﬀerent? How about Lancaster Smokehouse juniper and beech smoked salmon thinly carved with free range scrambled eggs or can we tempt you to Mrs Kirkham’s melting Lancashire cheese souﬄé, served with grilled tomato?

“Exciting menus rooted in Lancashire traditions” After breakfast take a walk through Northcote’s gardens. For ten months of the year the gardens, dependent on the weather, supply organic salads, edible ﬂowers, vegetables, herbs and fruit which you can enjoy in many of the dishes. Arrive early afternoon and you can sample an exquisite Prosecco afternoon tea beside a roaring fire in the lounge, or simply sit beside the bar and watch the spectacle of your cocktail being made to order. Under Chef Parton Nigel Haworth’s direction and Executive Head Chef Lisa Goodwin-Allen the Northcote kitchen have always had deep loyalty to artisan producers and the great larder of Lancashire, with seasonality at its heart.

Other Lancashire Tourism Award winners • Hipping Hall in Kirkby Lonsdale Best Boutique Accommodation 2016 • Brickhouse Farm Holiday Cottages in Hambleton Best Self-catering Holiday 2016.

Whether you want a budget B&B, a cosy farm stay or a fabulously decadent boutique hotel – we’ve got every kind of accommodation in Lancashire.

Go to visitlancashire.com to browse and book. visitlancashire.com

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AWARD-WINNING FAMILY RUN HOTEL

A COSY RETREAT

THE BRIARDENE HOTEL

THE MILLSTONE AT MELLOR

The Briardene Hotel is a top of the range three star small hotel,

An old coaching inn at the heart of a beautiful village. Cosy and

with 16 modern superior and deluxe bedrooms. Now run by the third

comfortable guest rooms combine with fabulous food deserving of

generation of the Heywood family, the hotel boasts an award-winning

two AA rosettes and great cask ales brewed just two miles away by parent

restaurant for both breakfast and evening meals.

company Thwaites.

› 56 Kelso Avenue, Cleveleys, North Blackpool, Lancashire, FY5 3JG.

› Church Lane, Mellor, BB2 7JR

› 01253 338300

› 01254 813333

› briardenehotel@yahoo.co.uk

› relax@millstonemellor.co.uk

› thebriardenehotel.co.uk

› Millstonemellor.co.uk

A TRANQUIL ESCAPE

BEST WESTERN BOLHOLT COUNTRY PARK HOTEL › Walshaw Road, Bury, BL8 1PU The Best Western Bolholt Country Park Hotel is close to Manchester, and just a mile away from

› 0161 764 5239

Bury. However, it is still a world away from the hustle and bustle of the nearby cities and towns,

› sales@bolholt.co.uk

enjoying a tranquil location amongst 50 acres of beautiful lakeside gardens and parkland.

› bolholt.co.uk

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WHERE TO STAY

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SEA VIEW HOTEL

AWARD WINNING HOTEL AND SPA

KINGS HOTEL

STANLEY HOUSE HOTEL & SPA

Centrally located, next to Blackpool Pleasure Beach. All rooms are en-suite;

Stanley House Hotel is a stunning, award winning hotel, set in 54 acres

some with panoramic sea views across the promenade and Illuminations.

of Ribble Valley countryside in Mellor, Lancashire. With 30 first-class

All rooms have Egyptian cotton bedding and towelling, complimentary

bedrooms, unrivalled wedding and conference facilities, the stylish Grill

toiletries and slippers, free Wi-Fi, tea/coﬀee facilities and ﬂat screen TVs.

on the Hill restaurant, the hugely popular Mr Fred’s bar and lounge and a world-class spa, Stanley House is truly a hotel like no other.

› 553 New South Promenade, Blackpool, FY4 1NF

› Further Lane, Mellor, Lancashire BB2 7NP

› 01253 341 442

› 01254 769200

› mail@kingshotelblackpool.co.uk

› info@stanleyhouse.co.uk

› kingshotelblackpool.co.uk

› stanleyhouse.co.uk

THE HEART OF LANCASTER

SELF CATERING IN HISTORIC GROUNDS

TOLL HOUSE INN AT LANCASTER

THURNHAM HALL

GOLD

A unique inn with a fabulous location at the heart of Lancaster. Guest

With an elegant Jacobean Great Hall, this stylish, self-catering resort

rooms are cosy and comfortable with all mod cons, and downstairs

features a leisure centre and traditional restaurant. Thurnham Hall

there’s a busy bar with great selection of cask ales and delicious food

is a 12th-century country estate, set in nearly 30 acres of grounds

served throughout the day.

in scenic Lancashire.

› Penny Street, Lancaster LA1 1XT

› Thurnham, Nr Lancaster, Lancashire, LA2 0DT

› 01524 599900

› 0800 358 6991

› relax@tollhouseinnlancaster.co.uk

› EuHotels@DiamondResorts.com

› tollhouseinnlancaster.co.uk

› DiamondResortsandHotels.com visitlancashire.com

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WHERE TO STAY

| 129

ACCESSIBLE SELF CATERING HOLIDAY COTTAGES

HISTORIC GEORGIAN HOUSE

BRICKHOUSE FARM COTTAGES

EDEN VALE HOLIDAY FLATS

Accessible holiday cottages set amongst a private fishing lake and acres of

Eden Vale is a large Georgian property of historic interest, converted

stunning countryside. Varying in size, from two to four bedrooms, some

into seven self-catering ﬂats. Situated on an elevated private road on

with accessible hot tubs under the stars. Purpose built to provide holiday

Morecambe’s promenade, commanding unspoilt views of the sea, the

accommodation for families, friends and carers.

Lakeland Hills and stunning sunsets over the bay.

› Brickhouse Lane, Hambleton, Poulton-Le-Fylde, FY6 9BG

› 338 Marine Road, Central Promenade, Morecambe, LA4 5AB

› 01253 702122

› 07739 008 301 and 07946 021 669

› info@brickhousecottages.co.uk

› jicoombs@talktalk.net

› brickhousecottages.co.uk

› edenvalemorecambe.co.uk

SEA VIEW VICTORIAN APARTMENTS

COSY CAMPING PODS

MERLEWOOD

BOWLAND WILD BOAR PARK CAMPING PODS

HOLIDAY APARTMENTS High quality, self-catering accommodation with sea views. The

Set in the heart of the Forest of Bowland these cosy camping pods sleep

magnificent Victorian apartments are close to the promenade, shops,

up to four people at a time and cost just £50 a night which includes a

restaurants, four Championship golf courses and the thrills of Blackpool -

complementary family ticket to the park. Enjoy a picnic or go for a ramble

it’s all here on the doorstep. Apartments come with free Wi-Fi, private car

around the footpaths whilst visiting all the animals.

parking and are non-smoking. › 383 Clifton Drive North, St. Annes-on-Sea, Lancashire FY8 2PA

› Bowland Wild Boar Park, Forest of Bowland, Chipping PR3 2QT

› 01253 726082

› 01995 615 54

› info@merlewoodapartments.co.uk

› wildboar6@yahoo.co.uk

› merlewoodapartments.co.uk

› wildboarpark.co.uk

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HOLIDAY AND CARAVAN TOURING PARK

SCANDINAVIAN-STYLE SELF CATERING

WESTGATE CARAVAN PARK

PINE LAKE RESORT

Situated within easy reach of local attractions. Facilities include, onsite

Unique Scandinavian-style Lodges in a tranquil location by Pine Lake,

shop, laundrette and children’s play area. Fully equipped six berth holiday

Carnforth. Guests can enjoy water skiing, sailing and canoeing and

homes for weekly hire. Touring pitches with electric hook-up and facilities.

there is also an indoor swimming pool, fitness centre and spa

No tents or awnings. Season March to October.

available at the resort.

› Westgate Caravan Park, Westgate, Morecambe LA3 3DE

› Dock Acres, Carnforth, Lancashire, LA6 1JZ

› 01524 411448

› 0800 358 6991

› info@westgatecaravanpark.co.uk

› EuHotels@DiamondResorts.com

› westgatecaravanpark.co.uk

› DiamondResortsandHotels.com

AWARD WINNING HAVEN

SUNSET PARK Surrounded by a haven of beautiful countryside, the Five Star award winning Sunset

› Sower Carr Lane, Poulton-le-Fylde FY6 9EQ

Park oﬀers caravan and luxury lodge accommodation with hot tubs close to Blackpool.

› 01253 700222

The park runs a schedule of weekly events in the extensively refurbished entertainment complex. Facilities include a pub and restaurant serving traditional pub food, a sports bar,

› lodge.rentals@sunsetpark.co.uk

coﬀee shop and children’s play areas.

› sunsetpark.co.uk visitlancashire.com

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EVENTS & FESTIVALS We Lancastrians consider events as one of our specialities; Starting with the biggies like Blackpool’s world famous Illuminations and the UK’s biggest Walkabout theatre in Lancaster down to the quirky Tractor Pulling Championships in Great Eccleston and the downright silly Gravy Wrestling event in Bacup there’s not much we don’t off er. Throw into the mix our award winning uber-stylish Vintage By The Sea in Morecambe and the shiny new Chorley Flower Show and you get the picture. We could go on to mention our breezy kite festivals, nostalgic 1940s events, fi rework spectaculars and music festivals, but we think you’d be better seeing them for yourself. Look through our events and festivals guide and see what takes your fancy.

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EVENTS & FESTIVALS

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Lancashireâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rural areas are perfect for stargazing and the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty holds Dark Sky Discovery Status at four sites including Gisburn Forest. The low light pollution and good sightlines make many areas of Lancashire ideal for exploring the night sky. Wrap up warm and head to one of the events listed below to learn more. 3 Jan

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24 Feb

7 Apr

29 Sept

17 Nov

Winterfest Stargazing

Dark Sky Stargazing

Jupiterwatch Stargazing

Equinox Stargazing

Bowland Meteors

Brockholes Nature Reserve,

Gisburn Forest Hub

Preston

EVENTS & FESTIVALS

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ÂŠ Copyright Robert Ince

STARGAZING

JAN 1 Jan New Year - Visit to the Coast Rossall Point Observation Tower, Fleetwood 3 Jan Winterfest Stargazing Brockholes Nature Reserve, Preston 13-15, 19-22 Jan Beauty and the Beast Burnley Mechanics Theatre 19-21 Jan Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Civic Arts Centre and Theatre, Oswaldtwistle 20 Jan - 5 Feb Obsession 2017 Northcote, Langho 25 Jan - 25 Mar Celebrating Ormskirk Heritage Exhibition Chapel Gallery, Ormskirk

APR

18 Feb - 29 Jul India’s Gateway; Gujarat, Mumbai & Britain Blackburn Museum & Art Gallery 18 Feb

1 Apr

Ghosthunt at the Station

What’s Your Story, Chorley?

Carnforth Station

Chorley Town Centre

24 Feb

7 Apr

Dark Sky Stargazing

Jupiterwatch - Stargazing

Brockholes Nature Reserve, Preston

25 Feb

10-15 Apr

Haﬀner Orchestra

Wonderland

Great Hall, Lancaster University

Winter Gardens, Blackpool

26 Feb

12 Apr

Life of Richard Burton

Goldilocks & the Three Bears

Burnley Mechanics Theatre

The Dukes, Lancaster 15 Apr

MAR

Chorley Grand Prix Chorley town centre and the surrounding area 16-17 Apr Easter Trail at Gawthorpe Hall

2-4 Mar

Padiham

Lancaster Beerfest Lancaster Town Hall

FEB 1 Feb - 29 Mar Harris Live Wednesday Evenings, Harris Museum, Preston 2-4 Feb Pendle Beer Festival Colne

17 Apr Egg Rolling

2-4 Mar

Avenham and Miller Parks, Preston

The Tempest Grand Theatre, Blackpool

17-23 Apr St George’s Day Charity Festival

3 Mar

Lytham

King of Pop Burnley Mechanics Theatre 3-26 Mar Lancaster Litfest Storey Gallery and other Lancaster venues 11-31 Mar WOW Weekends Blackpool Pleasure Beach 16-17 Mar St. Patrick’s Day Shows Oswaldtwistle Mills, Accrington

21-23 Apr Great British Food Festival

25 Mar

Stonyhurst College, Hurst Green

The Bon Jovi Experience Civic Arts Centre and Theatre, Oswaldtwistle 11-14 Feb Showzam! Winter Gardens and other Blackpool venues.

22 Apr - 1 May Wray Scarecrow Festival and Fair

29 Mar

Near Lancaster

March Flavours with Nigel Haworth Northcote Cookery School, Langho

23 Apr The 100 Voices of Gospel King Georges Hall, Blackburn 27 Apr - 1 May Ribble Valley Jazz Festival Various locations across Clitheroe & Ribble Valley

GRAND THEATRE

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EVENTS & FESTIVALS

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SHIP-AHOY 4 Jul - 12 Aug Treasure Island, Dukes Walkabout Theatre Williamson Park, Lancaster Celebrating 30 years of the Dukes Walkabout Theatre in Lancaster’s Williamson Park. This year it’s ship-ahoy for a tale of pirates and adventure on the seas as the UK’s biggest promenade theatre presents Treasure Island.

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EVENTS & FESTIVALS

#wherelifefeelsgood

visitlancashire.com

MAY

27-29 May

10 June

Chipping Steam Fair

Elton John & his Band

Chipping, near Clitheroe

Ewood Park, Blackburn 17 June

Sundays May- Sept

Colne Music & Food Festival

Brass Bands in Happy Mount Park

Colne

Morecambe

17 June

6-7 May

Leyland Festival

National Festival of Making

Leyland / Worden Park

King William Street, Blackburn

19-25 June

6-14 May

Blackpool Armed Forces Week

Garstang Walking Festival

Blackpool

Garstang, Bowland and surroundinh Villages 27-29 May 13-14 May Ormskirk Medieval Weekend

19 June - 7 Aug

Bands on The Square

Lytham St Annes Art Collection:

Barnoldswick

Turner and his contemporaries

Coronation Park, Ormskirk

Fylde Gallery, Booths, Lytham

28-29 May 14 May Alice in Wonderland

Darwen Live 2017

25 June

Darwen town centre

Bacup and Stacksteads Carnival

Grand Theatre, Blackpool

Stubbylee & Moorlands, Bacup

28 May 19 - 21 May North Lancashire Soul Festival

Pendle Powerfest

24 June

Nelson

Lytham Club Day

Morecambe 20 May Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra King Georges Hall, Blackburn 20-21, 27-29 May Lunesdale Arts Trail Studios around the Lune Valley 20 May - 30 Jul Maiden Bridge Summer Exhibition Tatham, Lancaster 24-28 May Nice ‘N’ Sleazy Festival Morecambe 25-27 May Love Your Local Market Ormskirk Town Centre

Lytham

JUNE 1 June Neverland Express East Lancashire Railway, Bury - Rawtenstall 2-4 June A Splendid Day Out - Steampunk Weekend Morecambe 24-25 June

3 June

Morecambe Catch the Wind Kite Festival

Late Night Riding & Fireworks

Morecmabe Beach and Promenade

Blackpool Pleasure Beach

25 June

3 June

Picnic in the Park

Accrington Food Festival

Astley Park, Chorley

Accrington

25 June

4 June

Classic Vehicle Show

Cleveleys Classic Car Show

Towneley Park, Burnley

Cleveleys Promenade and Victoria Road West 9 -11 June Blackpool Pride Festival Blackpool town centre and Winter Gardens

27-29 May 1940s Weekend East Lancashire Railway, Bury - Rawtenstall

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EVENTS & FESTIVALS

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JULY

29-30 July

12-20 Aug

Chorley Flower Show

Pendle Walking Festival

Astley Park, Chorley

Pendle 13 Aug

1 - 2 July

Fylde Coast Food and Drink Festival

Crafty Vintage Fair

Marine Hall, Fleetwood

Lancaster Castle

19 Aug - 20 Aug

1 - 2 July

Lytham 1940s Wartime Festival

Jazz & Blues Festival

Lytham Green

Blackpool town centre and Winter Gardens

19-20 Aug

1-2 July

Morecambe Carnival

Rockprest

Morecambe Promenade

Moor Park, Preston 31 July - 6 Aug 2 July

Lytham Festival 2017

18th Classic Car & Bike Show

Lytham Green

Leighton Hall

AUG

4 July - 12 Aug Treasure Island, Dukes Walkabout Theatre Williamson Park, Lancaster 8-9 July

Throughout Aug

The King’s Visit Re-enactment

Barlick Beach

Hoghton Tower, Preston

21-27 Aug Garstang Arts and Music Festival Throughout Garstang 22-27 Aug Sister Act Winter Gardens, Blackpool 25-28 Aug Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival Colne

Barnoldswick 26 Aug

14-16 July

Aug - Sept

Beat-Herder Festival

Pendle Cycling Festival

Sawley, The Ribble Valley

Taste of Leyland Leyland town centre

Pendle 27 Aug

15-16 July

5 Aug

Great Eccleston Show

Garstang Show

Great Eccleston Showﬁeld

Ormskirk MotorFest Ormskirk town centre

Garstang Showﬁeld

16 July

11-13 Aug

Fleetwood Festival of Transport

Royal Lancashire Show

Fleetwood

Witton Country Park, Blackburn

16 July Theatre in the Park Astley Park, Chorley 22 -23 July Green Fayre Beacon Country Park, Upholland 28 Aug 25 July

World Gravy Wrestling

Colne Grand Prix Cycle Race

Rose ‘N’ Bowl, Stacksteads

Colne 28-29 Aug 28-30 July

12 Aug

Cloudspotting Festival

Clitheroe Food Festival

Stephen Park, Gisburn Forest

Various locations across Clitheroe

Great Eccleston Tractor Pull Great Eccleston Showﬁeld 29 Aug

29 July

12-13 Aug

Ormskirk Gingerbread Festival

Blackpool Air Show

Ormskirk town centre

Blackpool

29 July

12-13 Aug

Around the World in 80 Days

Crafty Vintage Fair

Outdoor Theatre

Hoghton Tower, Preston

Gawthorpe Hall, Padiham

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EVENTS & FESTIVALS

#wherelifefeelsgood

visitlancashire.com

Ride the Lights Blackpool Promenade

BLOOMING BRILLIANT 29 - 30 Jul Chorley Flower Show Astley Park, Chorley The award winning Chorley Flower Show returns for a second year at Astley Hall, Chorley. Get top tips from celebrity garden experts, admire the show gardens and pick up some inspiration and plants for your own garden.

visitlancashire.com

#wherelifefeelsgood

EVENTS & FESTIVALS

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FLAPPING GOOD FUN 2 - 3 Sept Vintage By The Sea Morecambe Morecambe’s vintage extravaganza celebrates all things vintage and retro with local lad and inspirational designer Wayne Hemingway at the forefront. Whether you’re a ﬂapper girl or a stylish mod, head to Morecambe for an award winning weekend of parties, events, classic cars, fashion shows, live entertainment and a vintage fairground.

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EVENTS & FESTIVALS

#wherelifefeelsgood

visitlancashire.com

SEPT

OCT 8, 15, 22, 29 Sept International Fireworks Championship Blackpool Promenade

1-3 Sept

9 Sept

1-31 Oct

Blackpool Illuminations Switch On

Spice Fest

Farmageddon

Blackpool Promenade

Blackburn Market

Downholland, Ormskirk

1 Sept â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 5 Nov

9-10 Sept

Oct - Mar

Blackpool Illuminations and LightPool

Lancashire Game and Country Festival

Swan Spectacular

Promenade and Comedy Carpet

Scorton

WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre, Burscough

10 Sept

6-7 Oct

Classic Vehicle Show

Chorley Live

St Annes

Chorley town centre

10 Sept Heritage and Woodland Day Towneley Park, Burnley 16 Sept Nelson Food Festival Nelson 2-3 Sept St Annes Kite Festival St Annes Beach 2 Sept Theatre in the Park Astley Park, Chorley 2-3 Sept Vintage by the Sea Morecambe Promenade 7-10 Sept Heritage Open Days Across Lancashire

18-23 Sept Hairspray Winter Gardens, Blackpool 12-16 Oct

22-24 Sept

Lancaster Music Festival

The Ormskirk Beer, Food & Wine Festival

Venues across Lancaster

Ormskirk Cricket Club

21-31 Oct

23 Sept

Halloween Half-term

Late Night Riding & Fireworks

Blackpool Pleasure Beach

26-28 Oct

23 Sept

Halloween Ghost Train

Equinox Stargazing

East Lancashire Railway, Bury - Rawtenstall

Gisburn Forest Hub

8-10 Sept

27 Oct

Rossendale 60s Festival

Halloween Spooktacular

Across Rossendale

Oswaldtwistle Mills, Accrington

visitlancashire.com

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EVENTS & FESTIVALS

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HOME FOR THE WINTER Oct - Mar Swan Spectacular WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre, Burscough In winter, many thousands of wild ducks, geese and swans are drawn to WWT Martin Mere Wetlands in West Lancashire, oﬀering spectacular displays of feather and ﬂight with an award winning experience called Swan Spectacular. This annual migration sees over 40,000 pink footed geese use the reserve for feeding and you can witness the sight of over 2000 whooper swans being fed every day during the winter at 3pm.

NOV

18-19 Nov Lancashire Weekend East Lancashire Railway, Bury - Rawtenstall 24 Nov

Crafty Vintage Fair

Ormskirk town centre

Brockholes Nature Reserve, Preston

Lancashire Day & Christmas Switch On Nelson 25-26 Nov Santa Specials East Lancashire Railway, Bury - Rawtenstall

Light Up Lancaster Lancaster 4 Nov Charity Bonﬁre Witton Country Park 17 Nov Bowland Meteors Gisburn Forest Hub 18 Nov

1-3 Dec

Ormskirk Christmas Lights Switch On

25 Nov

3-4 Nov

DEC 2-3, 9-10, 16-17, 20-24 Dec Santa Specials East Lancashire Railway, Bury - Rawtenstall 7 Dec Whalley Pickwick Festival Whalley

27 Nov Lancashire Day Events across Lancashire - Follow #LancashireDay for more information End of Nov Leyland Christmas Festival Leyland town centre End Nov - Dec Christmas in Rossendale

2-3 Dec

The Whitaker, Ski Rossendale and

Victorian Christmas Weekend

other venues in the Rossendale Valley

Gawthorpe Hall, Padiham

Chorley’s Christmas Lights Switch On Chorley town centre

11-12 Dec Garstang Victorian Festival Garstang

To ﬁnd more exciting events in Lancashire go to visitlancashire.com/events

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Cocktails, Meetings, Comedy, Nights Out, Live Music, Drama. Great Times #closerthanyouthink Preston Guild Hall, Lancaster Road, Preston, PR1 1HT Box Office: 01772 80 44 44 prestonguildhall.com

prestonguildhall @prestguildhall

2017 Show Highlights Hamlet

Wed 18 to Thu 19 January (Various times)

The James Taylor Quartet & special guests Thursday 19 January 7.30pm

Forbidden Nights

Come and experience the very best in tapas cuisine from around the world. With high quality, locally sourced ingredients and first class hospitality, we guarantee excellent service and divine food to match. Tel: 01772 80 44 45

Wednesday 25 January 7.30pm

Ladbrokes World Grand Prix

Mon 6 to Sun 12 February (Various times)

Brendan Cole - All Night Long Saturday 18 February 7.30pm Professor Robert Winston Modifying Humans Where Does Genetics Stop? Tuesday 21 February 7.30pm

Ruby Wax - Frazzled

Monday 6 March 7.30pm

White Lies

Monday 6 March 9.30pm David Walliams’ - Gangsta Granny LIVE! Wed 8 to Sun 12 March (Various times)

Omid Djalili - Schmuck for a Night

The Villa Italian Preston offers a signature style of authentic Italian cuisine served in a stylish new city centre location at the front of the Preston Guild Hall complex. Tel: 01772 80 44 48

Thursday 23 March 8pm

Count Arthur Strong

brings you ‘The Sound of Mucus’ Friday 7 April 8pm

Back to the 80’s Live - Starring Katrina, Paul Young, Sonia, & more! Saturday 15 April 7.30pm

Joseph & His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Tue 18 to Sat 22 April (Various times)

Boycott & Aggers

Thursday 27 April 7.30pm

Dave Spikey- Juggler On A Motorbike Friday 9 June 7.30pm

Our brand new cocktail and wine bar serves up a wide range of classic and bespoke cocktails alongside Review’s signature sound courtesy of their in-house DJs. Tel: 01772 80 44 46

See full show listings at prestonguildhall.com

ELTON JOHN AND HIS BAND

WONDERFUL CRAZY NIGHT TOUR

SATURDAY 10

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Subject to licence. Tickets sold subject to booking fee and Promoters terms & conditions (details on request). Disabled customers advised to book early. in association with

Saturday 5th August 8:30am till late

A Great Family Day Out In The Country! SHOW HIGHLIGHTS Squibb Freestyle Motorcycle Stunt Show Agricultural and Horticultural Exhibits Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Entertainment / Rare Breeds Farmers Market / Countryside Displays Horticulture & Craft Tents / Vintage Section

SHOWFIELD GREEN LANE EAST, GARSTANG. PR3 1JS Details & Tickets: www.garstangshow.org or call the show secretary on 07867 313 346 Follow us:

/garstangshow

@garstangshow

PLANNING YOUR TRIP By Road

By Rail

By Air

By Bike

The M6 runs right through

Lancashire has excellent rail

Both Liverpool John Lennon

Bring your bike to Lancashire

Lancashire connecting to the M61,

connections from all over the

Airport and Manchester Airport

(or hire one when you get here)

M65, M55 and several major A

country – just two hours from

have frequent ﬂights serving

and appreciate the variety of

roads. In less than an hour’s drive

London on the West Coast Line

Europe and international airports

terrain and breath-taking views.

from Manchester, Liverpool and

with Virgin Trains with stations

including Beijing, Hong Kong and

You can pick up hire bikes from

Leeds you could be exploring the

at Preston and Lancaster. Change

New York. Manchester Airport has

a number of railway stations

vast Pennine Fells, beautiful Ribble

at Preston to reach the towns of

direct trains to many Lancashire

including Morecambe, Blackburn

Valley or driving along the world

Clitheroe, Burnley, Blackburn,

destinations every 30 minutes and

and Ormskirk, all at reasonable

famous Blackpool promenade.

Colne and Ormskirk. There are

it’s less than an hour’s drive from

prices. Leisure Lakes Bikes in

also direct trains traveling from

Manchester to Preston.

Lancaster city centre has a range

Manchester to most Lancashire

of hire bikes including electric and

towns and cities.

hybrid, and Blackpool hire scheme has comfortable yellow bikes from the Palatine Leisure Centre. See cyclelancashire.com for a full list of cycle hire venues.

For more information on travelling to and around Lancashire go to visitlancashire.com

E V I L G N LO

S E R A F W LO £30

LO ND ON TO PR ES TO N OR LA NC AS

TE R

wee ks bef ore travel Tho usa nds of sea ts ava ilab le 2 Boo k now at virg intr ain s.c om

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home to coming summer 2017

grill & r a b | l e t o h food hall

42 hand pulls for cask ales world beer food

wide selection of lagers, ciders, wines and gins brewery tours Holmes Mill, Greenacre Street, Clitheroe BB7 1EB W . www.holmesmill.co.uk | T . 01200 401035

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