Places to visit in Lancashire
The bright lights of Blackpool, the Tower, and the Winter Gardens Ballroom – think of Lancashire and you immediately think of kiss-me-quick hats and donkeys on the beach. But this county tucked between Cumbria and the north tip of Wales has much more to offer than sticks of rock and saucy postcards. Across the county are plenty of parks and museums to explore, and the wild, remote and eerie peak of Pendle Hill and Rivington Pike. Here’s a selection of the best attractions that Lancashire has to offer visitors all year round.
Blackpool’s Darker Side
We’re starting in that iconic seaside town, but beneath the Tower lurks a darker secret – The Blackpool Tower Dungeon. Great for kids who love a bit of Horrible History, and a poignant reminder of more brutal times, especially for the women of the northwest during the Witch hunts, and the drama of the Viking Raids during the Dark Ages.
Moving away from the bright lights of Blackpool, you’ll discover a countryside that’s rich and diverse. A great way to see it is from a window seat on the Ribble Steam Railway, which takes you through the heart of the Ribble Valley.
Castles, Parks and Country Gardens
Williamson Park in Lancaster is a glorious country house and park, with attractions that will enchant all ages. The butterfly house is a must-visit, while during the summer months open-air plays are performed regularly throughout July and August.
To find out more about the history and lives of the people of Lancashire, visit the Museum of Lancashire at Preston. Or for a more intimate experience the tiny Cottage Museum in Lancaster immerses you in 19th Century cottage life from the moment you step through the door (mind your head as you go in; it really is ‘cosy’ in there!).
There are gardens and parks a-plenty throughout the county, and one of the best is Gresgarth Hall Gardens, a truly enchanting garden that is worth a repeat visit at different times of the year to see the full range of displays, from early spring right through to the late autumn.
The Pendle Witches
If you want to get out into the countryside then a must-see on your list has to be Pendle Hill. Remote, windswept and with spectacular views, this is the site of the 17th Century Pendle Witch trials. Today it offers those who climb to the top outstanding views of the countryside. Another vantage point is Rivington Pike, where on a clear day you can see across Lancashire and to the North Wales mountains to the south, or towards Cumbria to the north. Well worth the climb!
![[image]](/blog/media/1114/2.jpg) | Article Name | Places to Visit in Lancashire |
| Author | Anne Wiltshire | |
| Description | The bright lights of Blackpool, the Tower, and the Winter Gardens Ballroom – think of Lancashire and you immediately think of kiss-me-quick hats and donkeys on the beach. But this county tucked between Cumbria and the north tip of Wales has much more to offer than sticks of rock and saucy postcards. Across the county are plenty of parks and museums to explore, and the wild, remote and eerie peak of Pendle Hill and Rivington Pike. Here’s a selection of the best attractions that Lancashire has to offer visitors all year round. |