The Lancashire Travel Guide visits Lancashire, a county that has a wide mix of attractions for visitors. These include vibrant seaside resorts with plenty of industrial history and heritage to some tranquil countryside, the county does offer visitors a wide array of options. There is the famous resort of Blackpool that attracts many visitors and further north Morecombe that is a popular destination among visitors.

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Lancashire Guide

Overview and Attractions
Lancashire Hotels
Lancashire Map
Lancashire Weather
Low Fare Flights

Overview and Attractions

Lancashire has a long history and was at the forefront of the Industrial Revolution, its legacy still remains. The county was once the centre of the coal and cotton industries and mills can still be seen located across the county in towns such as Rochdale and Bolton.

The mill towns of Blackburn and Burnley were once at the centre of the textile industry that placed such a big part in Lancashire’s history. The Blackburn Museum & Art Gallery takes visitors through the history of the textile industry and its wide ranging effect on all aspects of Lancashire life. The museum is housed in a beautiful building in the town centre and features exhibitions including the history of Blackburn, the Egyptian Mummy and Fine and Decorative Art among others. For more information please see:

Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery

The county town of Lancaster has Lancaster Castle, a great Norman castle. Dating back to the 11th century, the castle has been altered and subsequently rebuilt over the years. The castle has been a prison for many years and has an interesting history, it was attacked by Robert the Bruce in 1322, but later impressively rebuilt by John of Gaunt. There is an impressive Gateway Tower, that is considered to be among the finest in England, and the site is regarded as an extremely important archaeological monument of great importance. There is a real sense of history for visitors to experience and the interactive initials of Queen Elizabeth I on the battlements. The website of the castle gives a great interactive tour to learn more about the castle. For more information please see:

Lancaster Castle

Nature enthusiasts are well catered for at Martin Mere lake where the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust offers visitors a chance to explore the county’s flora and fauna close-up, the trust is a world leader in the protection of geese, swans, ducks and flamingos and the their habitats in the wetlands. The RSPB Discovery Centre located at Fairhaven Lake examines the huge number of migratory birds that make the Ribble Estuary their home each year.

Lancashire has its fair share of historic houses, too, none better than Leighton Hall. Leighton Hall is home to the Gillow family, who are known for their skills in making furniture. Among the Leighton Hall highlights are the Gothic towers, beautiful gardens and trained birds of prey. It is usually open to the visiting public from May until September each year. However it is always wise to check before going to avoid disappointment. Unusually Leighton Hall does not have areas the public cannot go in indeed visitors are invited to sit on the historic chairs. The guides tell you more about the history of the family and their habits. The estate covers an area in excess of 1,500 acres, there are landscaped parkland and woodland walks on offer that gives a wonderful sense of tranquillity in the countryside. Leighton also houses a notable 19th century walled garden that contains plenty of flowers, a herb patch and rose covered walls. For more information please see:

Leighton Hall

Rufford Old Hall is regarded as one of Lancashire’s finest buildings. Its history goes back to the 16th-century, the Great Hall makes for a spectacular spectacle and features a dramatic hammer-beam roof. There is evidence to suggest that Shakespeare performed in this hall, the house contains fine collections of oak furniture from the 16th and 17th centuries, tapestries and arms. The grounds are in a Victorian style and feature orchard, topiary, sculpture and include a woodland and canal walk. The Tudor building belonged to the Hesketh family for over 400 years and it is now managed by the National Trust. For more information please see:

Rufford Old Hall

The Lancaster Priory & Parish Church’s history goes back to the 11th century. Its has a long and distinguished history and has been a place of worship located on the site since 630 A.D. and possibly even earlier. Located next to Lancaster Castle, the church is on a hill overlooking the city. The interior is mainly medieval and includes some traces of a Saxon church, such as a Saxon doorway with Anglican cross fragments, 14th century choir stalls, and highly regarded tapestries among others. For more information please see:

Lancaster Priory & Parish Church

The National Football Museum is located in Preston and contains one of the world’s greatest football collections. Fans who visit the museum will see the museum that is spilt in to two halves. The first of these deals with a journey through the history of football. The other half is an exhibition that examines different facets within the world of football. There are also a range of interactive experiences. The museum makes for a fascinating visit for football enthusiasts, the Goal striker experience lets you take part in an interactive penalty shooting contest whilst there is also a hall of fame exhibition for the greats of the game. For more information please see:

National Football Museum

Theatre fans can head for the Preston Guildhall, it has a theatre that presents a range of professional and amateur events that include small scale recitals to full theatrical productions. The theatre has some excellent sound and lighting systems and 35mm film projection. In addition to the theatre there are stalls, circle and other areas that can be used for small meetings and receptions. The entertainment complex is a great place to enjoy live theatre and a friendly atmosphere is evident in the shows. The venue opened in 1972 and has since provided a wide range of theatrical entertainment to the public. For more information please see:

Preston Guildhall

The Peter Scott Gallery in Lancaster has a varied programme of temporary exhibitions and associated talks. Admission is free for visitors, the gallery holds among the most significant collection of Royal Lancastrian ceramics in the UK, this on permanent display in the John Chambers Ceramics Room. The gallery also accommodates Lancaster University’s international art collection, the collection includes Chinese and Japanese art, antiquities, works by twentieth century British artists and prints by noted European artists such as Dürer, Ernst and Vasarely. The collection is part of a programme of a number of changing works each year. For more information please see:

Peter Scott Gallery

The ambitious redevelopment has lead to many areas in Manchester undergoing a facelift, on such example is Salford Quays. There are now plenty of things to do there for leisure and entertainment. Watersports are available at the Salford Watersports Centre where you can row, canoe, sail and windsurf. There are theatres such as the Lowry that has a full range of drama, comedy, opera, ballet, dance, musicals, shows for children and gallery spaces. There is also the much talked about Imperial War Museum where you can see how lives have been affected by conflict. Shoppers have their own paradise here in the form of the Lowry Outlet Mall where top designer brands are on offer at competitive prices. With a cinema also, there is plenty to see and do at the Quays and is a great day out. For further information please see:

The Quays

Manchester is the main centre in Lancashire and a hotbed of activity in many areas, the third largest city in England has gained a reputation of note in the fields of culture and the arts to compliment its renowned reputation in music and in sport. There is a wide range of attractions for visitors to experience when in Manchester, for further information please see our Manchester Travel Guide at:

Manchester Travel Guide

The nightlife in Manchester is thriving, whether you like traditional or cutting edge there is likely to be somewhere in Manchester for you to enjoy a great night out. The Northern Quarter’s streets are a mecca for creative, free thinkers and its night spots reflect this persona. Bar Centro is a popular bar, a trendy and stylish bar, you will find a selection of ales and European beers here. Matt and Phreds Jazz Club is a lively place for musicians and artists and one of the few cubs in the north that is dedicated to jazz. There are local and international artists showcasing their talents and with good food and drink also on the menu, you can truly enjoy a great night out. For further information please see:

Matt and Phreds

Deansgate offers cuisine from all over the world and is famous for bars such as Atlas that attracts the city crowd. This bar under a railway arch enjoys a great atmosphere and is viewed as a great place to go and be seen. Deansgate has been transformed from an area of unused railway arches in to one of the most fashionable and hip places to go in the evenings. There are traditional pubs such The Ox located in Castlefield that is also a small hotel. The Ox is a gastro pub with highly acclaimed food and a small beer garden. It has transformed itself in to a trendy bar and restaurant whilst keeping the traditional feel. Address: The Ox Bar, Liverpool Road, Castlefield, Manchester M3 4NQ and Telephone 0161 839 7740.

Simply Heathcotes Restaurant is located in Deansgate, Manchester and is a place where diners can enjoy British cooking and enjoy a popular classic, the Sunday lunch. This contemporary restaurant is both modern and relaxed and has a chic vibe to it. There are relaxing sofas to chill out in and the dining area is characterised by the feeling of space and natural lighting. The menu includes options for vegetarians, and has many temping dishes to try. The restaurant is indicative of the way Manchester has blossomed due to the regeneration and renovation of the area and now boasts many top restaurants for visitors to try. For more information please see:

Simply Heathcotes Manchester

Hotels in Lancashire offer accommodation to suit all budgets, from those seeking an inexpensive place to stay to those wishing to stay at a luxury hotel. One thing to remember is to ensure your hotel is not too far away from where you need to get to, the travelling time each day to and from your hotel can take up time. However if you have more time or wish to stay a little outside the main cities and tourist areas you could benefit from cheap room rates and staying somehwere quieter. It is wise to do your research and ensure your hotel is actually located at a convenient location for your needs and that it offers the facilities you require. There are a range of budget, mid range and exclusive hotels available in Lancashire, for further information please see:

Selection of Lancashire Hotels

For a full list of Lancashire Hotels please see:

Lancashire Hotels

Our tour of Lancashire with Lancashire Travel Guide has revealed a place of real interest for visitors. The county is fortunate to have a wide range of visitor attractions that help bring in many visitors each year, these are heady times for the county and in particular Manchester. Seemingly on a crest of a wave with a renaissance in many areas well under way and plans for much more, the whole vibe of the area is upbeat and positive. While Manchester itself offers a lot for visitors whatever their interests, the rest of Lancashire that is sometimes overlooked also has its own charm. From its rich heritage to its stately homes and lovely countryside, the county is worth exploring further. Its location in England’s North West is well serviced by road, rail and airport links for both UK and overseas visitors.

Lancashire Travel Guide

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Disclaimer: The information given in on this website is given in good faith and to the best of our knowledge. If there are any discrepancies in no way do we intend to mislead. Important travel details and arrangements should be confirmed and verified with the relevant authorities.