Lancashire is a historic county in North West England offering a mix of cultural heritage, scenic countryside, coastal resorts, historic sites, and vibrant market towns.
Frontierland Western Theme Park was a historic amusement park in Morecambe, Lancashire, operating from 1909 to 1999. It featured classic roller coasters, flat rides, and the Polo Tower observation tower, becoming a popular seaside attraction before closing and being redeveloped into retail outlets.
Lakeland Wildlife Oasis is a 3-acre zoological collection in Cumbria featuring over 100 species including snow leopards and fossa, with themed indoor exhibits and outdoor enclosures. It offers interactive animal experiences, a café, and participates in conservation efforts.
Old Rectory, Warton is a free-to-visit ruin of a 14th-century rectory near Lancaster, showcasing historic architecture and medieval manorial court history under English Heritage protection.
WWT Martin Mere is a large wetland nature reserve in Lancashire managed by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, renowned for birdwatching with observation hides and hosting many rare species. It provides significant habitat for wildfowl and migratory birds, especially in winter, and supports important biodiversity.
Rufford Old Hall is a Grade I listed Tudor and Jacobean hall house in Lancashire featuring richly decorated interiors, a notable sixteenth-century carved wooden screen, extensive Victorian gardens with topiary squirrels, and historical collections of arms and rural memorabilia. The site offers both indoor historical architecture and outdoor garden experiences.
1 Jan–31 Dec (another 83 days)
Rufford Old Hall in Lancashire offers a programme of scheduled talks, demonstrations, exhibitions, and drop-in activities throughout 2026. Events include daily house tours and talks, garden talks, a monthly dementia friendly café, music performances, traditional yarn spinning demonstrations, sports and games during summer, fencing drop-in sessions, a Victorian play exhibition, a woodturners market, and a scarecrow festival in autumn. Admission to events is free with normal venue admission charges applying.
Malham Tarn Estate is a large National Trust agricultural estate in North Yorkshire featuring woodland, grassland, and Malham Tarn, a glacial lake and national nature reserve with international wetland status, offering outdoor experiences like fishing and grazing landscapes.
9 Oct
A volunteer-led 7km walk around Malham Tarn explores the landscape’s formation and local history, including stories of glaciers, cave men, monks and drovers. The route follows grassed paths and estate tracks, with stops to hear about points of interest and a lunch break.
Blackpool Zoo in Lancashire is a 32-acre outdoor zoo featuring over 1,000 animals worldwide. It offers various exhibits including a dinosaur safari, elephant and primate houses, sea lion arena, and a children's farm, with ample facilities and a miniature railway for family-friendly visits.
Blackpool is a lively seaside town in Lancashire renowned for its seven miles of sandy beach, iconic Blackpool Tower, historic piers, and vibrant cultural scene including theatres, music festivals, and nightlife. It offers diverse attractions such as amusement parks, parks, and an important LGBTQ+ community.
Formby is a coastal town in Merseyside known for its sandy beaches, extensive sand dunes, and a National Trust reserve protecting endangered red squirrels. It offers outdoor wildlife experiences, walking trails, and is popular with day trippers. The town also features historic links golf courses and nearby natural reserves.
7 Oct, 12 Oct
Join a Formby ranger for a walk and talk about the conservation benefits of grazing English longhorn cattle on the dunes, with an opportunity to ask questions.
Swan Court Shopping Arcade is an open-air shopping centre in Clitheroe, Lancashire, known for its historic connection to the Swan & Royal ancient coaching inn. It offers an outdoor retail experience in a quaint town setting.
Whalley Abbey is a historic former Cistercian abbey in Lancashire featuring extensive ruins and a modern retreat and conference house with visitor facilities including a coffee shop and exhibitions. Visitors can explore ancient monastic foundations and enjoy the blend of outdoor ruins and indoor hospitality spaces.
Gawthorpe Hall is a Grade I listed Elizabethan country house located on the banks of the River Calder in Lancashire. The house features historic architecture with roots as a pele tower, extensive restoration by Charles Barry, ornamental gardens, and serves as a trailhead for the Brontë Way footpath. The site also includes Burnley Football Club's training complex on its grounds.
Sawley Abbey is the ruins of a historic Cistercian monastery founded in 1149, open to the public as an English Heritage site. Visitors can explore the remains of the abbey's cloister, church, and associated earthworks within an enclosed medieval precinct while learning about its history through onsite boards.
7–11 Oct, 14–18 Oct…
An exhibition across five rooms displays historic textiles collected by Rachel Kay-Shuttleworth, including embroidery, patterned and printed fabrics, wool work, metallic threads and costume pieces, presented around the theme of colour.