The County of Lancashire
Lancashire is a county in North West England. It has an area of 5,000 square km and a population of two million people. Lancashire is bounded by Greater Manchester and Merseyside, by Cheshire and by Yorkshire.
As well as Lancashire County Council, there are several other organisations that cover parts of Lancashire such as Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool unitary authorities; Pendle Borough Council; Burnley Borough Council; Hyndburn Borough Council; Rossendale borough council and South Ribble borough council.
Lancashire History
The county of Lancashire was formed in the 12th century. It takes its name from Richard I, who adopted the title ‘Count of Lancaster’.
Lancashire was divided in its early days with parts being governed by the Lords of Bowland, Furness Abbey and other religious bodies.
The Duchy of Lancaster is a private estate which provides income to the British monarch. It covers about one quarter of Lancashire including most of Merseyside, Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool, South Ribble and the City of Lancaster.
Lancaster Castle
Lancaster Castle is a medieval castle in Lancaster, Lancashire. It was founded in 1150.
The present structure is half ruin but it has been transformed into one of Britain’s leading museums and art galleries. Visitors are able to climb the motte or walk around the battlements which offer views over this historic city.
Lancashire Geography
The county of Lancashire is known for its open countryside, coastal areas and towns. It also includes the Forest of Bowland which forms part of a national park with parts in Yorkshire and Cumbria.
Lancashire Places to Visit
Blackpool is one place you can visit in Lancashire which has many attractions for tourists including The Pleasure Beach, Sandcastle Waterpark Aquarium etc. There’s also a lot of history here! This famous seaside resort has been welcoming holidaymakers for over 150 years. As well as being a top UK destination, Blackpool is also very popular across the world!
Lancashire Towns & Villages
Pendle Hill is another must-visit place in Lancashire that has lots of history and stunning views.
Blackburn is also a must-visit town in Lancashire, if you’re looking for history and culture. It’s famous for Blackburn Rovers FC (a professional football club) which has won six league titles. There are many historical attractions here such as Queen Street Mill Textile Museum along with modern ones like the Grand Theatre.
Part or all of Lancashire is in Forest Of Bowland AONB, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Part or all of Lancashire is in Arnside & Silverdale AONB, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Lancashire's Surrounding Counties
Other counties neighbouring Lancashire include: Greater Manchester, Cumbria, Merseyside, North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire .
Lancashire is a county with a great selection of places to visit including towns, villages, parks, waterfalls, woodlands, rivers and streams, old mines, ruins, historic buildings, ancient sites, historic monuments, hiking areas, hills, round cairns, lakes, bluebell woods, geological features, gardens, country parks, nature reserves, historic sites, canals, roman sites, museums, caves, limestone pavements, sssis, beaches, shopping centres, cities and castles.
Darwen, Chorley, Leyland, Nelson, Blackburn, Burnley, and Blackpool are some of Lancashire's' best towns to visit Lancashire.
Villages to visit in Lancashire county include Ryal Fold, Tockholes, Brinscall, White Coppice, Heath Charnock, Higher Wheelton, and Ribchester.
Lancashire's best parks can be found at Bold Venture Park, Sunnyhurst Wood, Astley Park, Worden Park, Cuerden Valley Country Park, and Ball Grove Park.
Lancashire is home to some unmissable waterfalls like Bold Venture Waterfall, Sunnyhurst Waterfalls, Hatch Brook Waterfall, Holts Flat Waterfall, Lead Mines Clough Waterfall, Sheep Pen Waterfall, and Old Brooks Waterfall.
Woodlands to visit in Lancashire county include Sunnyhurst Wood, Wheelton Plantation, High Bullough Wood, Back Plantation, Spen Wood, Duxbury Woods, and Longworth Clough.
Lancashire's best rivers and streams can be found at Sunnyhurst Brook, Hatch Brook, Dean Black Brook, Eller Brook, River Yarrow at Duxbury Woods, Ease Gill, and River Roddlesworth.
There are a several good old mines in Lancashire county like Old Lyons Colliery (ruin), Lead Mines Clough Lead Mines, Coppice Stile Lead Mine Trial, White Coppice Lead Mine, Duxbury Park Colliery (ruin), Ellerbeck Collieries (ruin), and Sykes Mine.
There are a several good ruins in Lancashire county like Old Lyons Colliery (ruin), Higher Pasture Barn (ruin), Ripping (ruin), Wheelton Plantation, Blackhurst (ruin), Heatherlea (ruin), and Shop Fold (ruin).
Historic Buildings to visit in Lancashire county include Church of Saint Stephen at Tockholes, Astley Hall, Chorley Lodge, Belmont Paper Mills (Derelict), Blacko Tower, The Wishing Well at Hollinshead Hall, and Hoghton Tower.
Church of Saint Stephen at Tockholes, The Quernmore Burial, Standing Stones Hill, Pikestones Chambered Long Cairn, Jepsons Gate Cairn, Black Coppice Chambered Cairn, and Dog Holes Cave are some of Lancashire's' best ancient sites to visit Lancashire.
Jubilee Tower, Bevis and the Ruined Summerhouse, and Cromwell's Bridge are great places to visit in Lancashire if you like historic monuments.
The county of Lancashire boasts some of the best hiking areas including Anglezarke, Lead Mines Clough, High Bullough Wood, Stronstrey Bank, Lister Mill Quarry, Great Hill, and White Coppice.
Standing Stones Hill, Great Hill, Healey Nab, Spitlers Edge, Will Narr, Warton Crag, and Parlick are great places to visit in Lancashire if you like hills.
Lancashire features a number of interesting round cairns including Jepsons Gate Cairn.
High Bullough Reservoir, Anglezarke Reservoir, White Coppice Mill Pond, Big Lodge Water, Top Lodge, The Blue Lagoon, and Lower Ogden Reservoir are some of Lancashire's' best lakes to visit Lancashire.
Bluebell Woods to visit in Lancashire county include High Bullough Wood, Duxbury Woods, Hill Top Wood, Warton Crag, and Roddlesworth Woods.
Lancashire's best geological features can be found at Stronstrey Bank, White Coppice Quarry, Warton Crag and Grisedale Wood Limestone Pavement, and Sykes Mine.
Lancashire is home to some unmissable gardens like The Evaders' Garden, Astley Walled Garden, and Hoghton Tower.
Yarrow Valley Country Park, Worden Park, Cuerden Valley Country Park, Witton Country Park, Beacon Fell, Langroyd Country Park, and Wyre Estuary Country Park are some of Lancashire's' best country parks to visit Lancashire.
Don't miss Top Lodge, Longworth Clough, Leighton Moss, Brockholes Nature Reserve, Ball Grove Park, Upper Ball Grove Lodge, and Mere Sands Wood's nature reserves if visiting Lancashire.
There are a number of historic sites in the county of Lancashire including Black Coppice Mill Stone Factory.
Leeds and Liverpool Canal at Heath Charnock, Leeds and Liverpool Canal at Higher Wheelton, Leeds and Liverpool Canal - Summit to Wigan Section, Leeds and Liverpool Canal at Adlington, Lancaster Canal at Bolton-le-Sands, and Leeds and Liverpool Canal - Rufford Branch are some of Lancashire's' best canals to visit Lancashire.
Ribchester Roman Bath House, and Ribchester Roman Museum are some of Lancashire's' best roman sites to visit Lancashire.
Ribchester Roman Museum, The British Commercial Vehicle Museum, and Harris Museum - Art Gallery and Library Preston are some of Lancashire's' best museums to visit Lancashire.
Don't miss Dog Holes Cave, Fairy Hole, and County Pot's caves if visiting Lancashire.
There are a number of limestone pavements in the county of Lancashire including Warton Crag and Grisedale Wood Limestone Pavement.
Lancashire features a number of interesting sssis including Warton Crag S.S.S.I, and West Pennine Moors.
There are a number of beaches in the county of Lancashire including Blackpool, Half Moon Bay, The Shore (Bolton-le-Sands), and Hest Bank Wharf.
Lancashire is home to some unmissable shopping centres like The Concourse Shopping Centre,
Don't miss Preston, and Lancaster's cities if visiting Lancashire.
Lancashire's best castles can be found at Clitheroe Castle.
Walks in Lancashire
Rivington Pike by Georges Lane (and back)
A relatively easy walk to Rivington Pike and back, although some may find it steep in places the views are often spectacular.
Length: 7.49Km (approx.)
Difficulty: Easy
Ingleton Waterfalls Trail
Probably the best waterfall walk on a managed trail - payment required but it’s worth it for the well-kept viewing platforms and stairs up the rocky cliffs.
Length: 7Km (approx.)
Difficulty: Moderate
Brinscall Woods (Hatch Brook Waterfall Walk)
A short easy loop around Brinscall Woods and ruins with views down the Hatch Brook waterfall and optional stream scramble to view from the foot of the falls.
Length: 4.5Km (approx.)
Difficulty: Easy (difficult optional)
Around Upper Rivington Reservoir
A short and easy stroll around the Upper Rivington Reservoir with views of Winter Hill and the Pike, a possible Roman road and a couple of ornamental waterfalls after rain.
Length: 4Km (approx.)
Difficulty: Easy
Harrock Old Windmill
A short walk up to the ruins of historic Harrock Old Windmill on Harrock Hill with a short loop to the summit for views.
Length: 4Km (approx.)
Difficulty: Easy
Musbury Heights Quarry Explore
A little walk up to the old quarry ruins on Musbury Heights, with optional exploring.
Length: 5Km (approx.)
Difficulty: Moderate
Calf Hey Reservoir Walk
A pleasant and easy stroll around Calf Hey Reservoir taking in good views and ruined farmsteads.
Length: 2.5Km (approx.)
Difficulty: Easy
Dean Clough Reservoir Walk
A short and easy stroll round the Dean Clough Reservoir and back up through the small pine woods.
Length: 3.36Km (approx.)
Difficulty: Easy
Roddlesworth Woods Walk
A short walk that’s good with dogs, around the Roddlesworth Woods and down the river below Halliwell Fold Scar.
Length: 3Km (approx.)
Difficulty: Moderate
Roddlesworth Reservoirs
A short walk with a bit of woodland, beside the reservoirs at Roddlesworth with optional bridge over waterfall cascade - weather and water-levels permitting.
Length: 3Km (approx.)
Difficulty: Easy
