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Lancashire

Work up an appetite

Lying between Manchester and the Lake District, Lancashire is blessed with a wide range of environments, from its cheeky seaside resorts such as Blackpool and Morecambe to the splendid rolling countryside of the Forest of Bowland and Lune Valley. A new generation of places to stay is now enticing visitors to come and sample its charms, from restored art-deco masterpieces to Michelin-starred country boltholes and boutique B&Bs.

Lancashire has also been steadily developing a reputation as one of England’s best foodie locations. From Goosnargh duck to Lancashire cheese, local produce is inspiring a new generation of restauranteurs and retailers. The Ribble Valley Food Trail, which takes in the picturesque towns of Clitheroe, Longridge and a number of villages in the lush Forest of Bowland, is an ideal introduction to the gastronomic delights in store. Visit www.ribblevalleyfoodtrail.com for more information.

For further visitor information visitlancashire.com

Places to eat & drink

Three Fishes

Mitton Road, Mitton, Nr Whalley BB7 9PQ

T: 01254 826 888; thethreefishes.com

The Highwayman

Burrow, Kirby Lonsdale LA6 2RJ

T: 01254 826 888; highwaymaninn.co.uk

The Clog & Billycock

Billinge End Rd, Pleasington, Blackburn BB2 6QB

T: 01254 201163; theclogandbillycock.com

When he’s not winning Michelin stars for his food at Northcote, Nigel Haworth’s other hobby is Ribble Valley Inns, a small group of coaching inns and country pubs. The Three Fishes was the first to open its doors and its superlative local food continues to draw the crowds and the awards. The Highwayman was named Lancashire’s dining pub of the year in the 2010 Good Pub Guide and the Clog and Billycock is the latest addition to this burgeoning gastro empire – expect the Haworth signature approach of tempting contemporary twists on traditional local fayre.

Ye Horns Inn

Goosnargh Goosnargh, Nr Preston PR3 2FJ

T: 01772 865230; yehornsinn.co.uk

Dating back to 1720, Ye Horns Inn is a wonderfully characterful, traditional coaching inn that’s been serving fantastic local food and locally brewed ales for generations. Needless to say Goosnargh duck is the speciality and the generous portions mean that doggie bags are provided if you can’t manage to finish. They also do portions of their superb puddings to take away.

La Locanda

Main Street, Gisburn, Clitheroe BB7 4HH

T: 01200 445303; lalocanda.co.uk

A village in the heart of the Ribble Valley may not be where you’d expect to find genuine traditional Italian cuisine, but that’s exactly what you’ll find in this cottage-style restaurant. Proprietors Maurizio and Cinzia combine the best fresh local produce with specially imported Italian delicacies to create mouthwatering food that recently saw them voted Taste Lancashire restaurant of the year.

Bashall Barn

Twitter Lane, Bashall Eaves BB7 3LQ

T: 01200 428964; bashallbarn.co.uk

Located on a working dairy farm just outside Clitheroe, this farm shop and restaurant has gone from strength to strength and has been voted the best on-farm restaurant in the UK for 2010 in the Local Food Awards.

Huntley’s of Salmesbury

Whalley Rd, Samlesbury PR5 0UN

T: 01772 872820; huntleys.co.uk

Another working dairy farm in the Ribble Valley that’s diversified in a big way, Huntley’s has so many strings to its bow it’s now hard to count them. There’s a farm shop selling fantastic local produce, a restaurant, an antique emporium, an ice cream shop that makes and sells over 80 flavours of ice cream, plus it’s home to Barrica Wines, recently voted the top independent wine retailer in the UK.

Cowman’s

13, Castle Street, Clitheroe BB7 2BT

T: 01200 423842; cowmans.co.uk

Five generations of butchery knowledge have created this nationally renowned sausage emporium that sells over 75 mouthwatering different varieties. Worth the wait in the inevitable queue – you’ll never want to eat a supermarket sausage again.

Byrne’s of Clitheroe

12 King Street, Clitheroe BB7 2EP

T: 01200 423152; dbyrne-finewines.co.uk

Oenophiles will think they have died and gone to heaven in this independent family-owned wine business dating back to the 1870s. Don’t be fooled by the small exterior – inside is a rabbit warren of caves that display what is reputed to be the largest selection of wines in the country.

Places to stay

The Ashton Lancaster

Wyresdale Road, Lancaster LA1 3JJ

T: 01524 68460; theashtonlancaster.com

This award-winning B&B is perfectly located for visiting Lancaster, the South Lakes or the Forest of Bowland. A handsome Georgian house, it’s been given a makeover to die for, with dramatic decor, luxurious fabrics and sumptuous bathrooms. Awarded five stars and a Visit Britain gold award within five months of opening, which must be a record.

The Inn at Whitewell

Dunsop Road, Whitewell, Nr Clitheroe BB7 3AT

T: 01200 448222; innatwhitewell.com

Wonderfully atmospheric, rambling old coaching inn dating back to the 1300s, complete with authentic creaking floorboards and the odd stuffed fox. It boasts one of the best views in Lancashire across the beautiful Forest of Bowland, while inside there are roaring fires, a great restaurant and fantastic breakfasts (good black pudding of course). Has a bijou wine merchants on site too.

Stanley House

Mellor, Nr Blackburn BB2 7NP

T: 01254 769200; stanleyhouse.co.uk

Small, boutique hotel which manages to combine a real out-in-the-countryside feel while being just minutes away from the M6 and M65. The quality and attention to detail that have gone into Stanley House started attracting awards almost from the day it opened, and the food in its Cassis restaurant comes highly recommended.

The Midland Hotel

Marine Road West, Morecambe LA4 4BU

T: 01524 424000; elh.co.uk

A classic piece of 1930s architecture that has been recently restored into an Art Deco-inspired tour-de-force, undoubtedly helping Morecambe to be recently voted best reinvented seaside town by Coast magazine. This little bit of Miami’s South Beach on the Lancashire coast has 30s inspired rooms and enough spa treatments to pamper the most demanding diva.

Northcote

Northcote Road, Langho, Blackburn BB6 8BE

T: 01254 240555; northcote.com

This old manor house set in lush countryside in the Ribble Valley is a destination for serious foodies. Award-winning chef Nigel Haworth has a unique approach to regional specialities (Lancashire cheese ice cream anyone?) and the great wine list means that it’s best to stay overnight in one of the well-appointed rooms.

Penny Street Bridge

Penny Street, Lancaster LA1 1XT

T: 01524 599 900; pennystreetbridge.co.uk

Set in an Edwardian sandstone building this bar, lounge and brasserie also has top-of-the-range rooms. The feel of a bright, vibrant French bistro but with all the plus points of a traditional English pub.

Number One South Beach

4 Harrowside West, Blackpool FY4 1NW

T: 01253 343900; numberonehotels.co.uk

This boutique B&B brings a bit of Miami to Blackpool, with superb quality and comfort, along with great views of the Prom.

Things to do

Lancaster Canal

Kendal to Carnforth

waterscape.com

One of the UK’s most scenic canals, this 41-mile, lock-free stretch of waterway meanders delightfully through the Forest of Bowland, the rolling countryside of Wyre and the Silverdale coast. A waterbus runs on the canal in the summer months, with a variety of cruises to choose from.

Gisburn Forest

Nr Wigglesworth, OS Grid Reference: SD749576

forestry.gov.uk

One of the best places in the Northwest to go mountain-biking, Gisburn Forest offers bike trails for all levels of experience, as well as tracks for walking and horseriding.

Blackpool Tower & Circus

Promenade, Blackpool FY1 1BJ

T: 01253 622242; theblackpooltower.co.uk

Lancashire’s mini-Eiffel might be a monument to seaside kitsch, but it’s worth the trip to the top for the superb views across the Irish Sea. The circus is also one of the UK’s best, but it’s the ornate splendour of the Tower Ballroom that’s currently drawing the crowds after its show-stopping appearances on Strictly.

Forest of Bowland

T: 01253 622242; forestofbowland.com

This Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is Lancashire’s hidden gem, a heart-stoppingly beautiful area of rolling hills, lush woodland, burbling rivers and amazing wildlife. Originally a hunting reserve for the monarchy, part of the Forest is still owned by the Duchy of Lancaster. It is also purportedly the inspiration for the idyllic Shire of Lord of the Rings fame.

Beacon Fell Country Park

Goosnargh, Nr. Preston PR3 2NL

This gorgeous little country park consists of woodland, moorland and farmland, with the eponymous fell offering spectacular views of the Forest of Bowland and Morecambe Bay. An abundance of wildlife (but don’t try bagging your own Goosnargh duck) and a great place for bilberry picking too.

Pendle Hill

Nr Colne BB8 9NW

Pendle Hill dominates its surroundings, with views that stretch all the way to the Isle of Man on a clear day. Its dramatic history dates all the way back to the Bronze Age but it is best known for the Pendle Witches, the most famous example of alleged witchcraft in English history. Still makes the most of its spooky past, with large numbers of visitors turning up to climb it every Halloween.

The Great Promenade Show

New South Promenade, Blackpool FY4 1RW

T: 01253 478104; thegreatpromenadeshow.co.uk

This unique collection of wonderful modern sculptures ranges from an astonishing tide organ, whose haunting tunes are created by the action of the waves, to the world’s largest mirror ball, which pays homage to the town’s status as ballroom capital of the world.

Eric Morecambe’s statue

Promenade, Morecambe

Bring a little sunshine into your life with a visit to Morecambe’s statue to its most famous son. Guaranteed to make you smile.

Panopticons

Blackburn, Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale

visitlancashire.com/panopticons

Looking around the hills of East Lancashire you’d be forgiven for thinking that the aliens have landed, with this remarkable set of art works set on imposing viewpoints that are visible for miles around. Ranging from a bronze, egg-shaped sculpture in Pendle to an eerily evocative Singing Ringing Tree near Burnley, these are places to contemplate the meaning of life.

Cromwell’s Bridge

River Hodder, west of Great Mitton

visitlancashire.com/panopticons

This picturesque bridge earned its name after Oliver Cromwell’s 8,000-strong army crossed it on its way to give the Cavaliers a sound thrashing in the Battle of Preston in 1648.