Blackpool

The bright lights of Blackpool are just 35 minutes drive from our Cabins. This bustling town is considered England’s most popular seaside resort and a must visit if you’re looking for attractions to keep younger members of the family entertained during your stay.

Whether you plan on spending your day at the beach, treating yourself to an ice cream and fish and chips or visiting one of the iconic attractions on the famed promenade, you’re guaranteed a fantastic time.

Take a look at some of our top picks of things to do in Blackpool, so you can make the most of out of your day.

BLACKPOOL TOWER

The Blackpool Tower is an iconic landmark on the Fylde Coast. It first opened over 125 years ago, and continues to draw crowds in their droves. The tower is home to a number of amazing attractions, with something for the whole family to enjoy.

The Blackpool Tower Eye

Head to the top of the tower to experience far reaching views over the North West Coast from the Blackpool Tower Eye. This elevated position provides unbeatable views over the Irish sea, as well Blackpool promenade, Bowlands, the Lake District, Liverpool and the Isle of Man on a clear day. If you’re feeling brave, try the Sky Walk – a 5 cm thick glass viewing platform with a 380ft drop below! There’s also a 4D cinema and a cocktail bar, where you can treat yourself to a drink to round off a busy day.

Dino Golf

Located on level 7 of the world-famous tower, you’ll find Dino mini golf. Challenge the family to 9 holes of dinosaur themed fun and see who emerges victorious!

Blackpool Tower Ballroom 

Blackpool Tower Ballroom is famed around the world for its splendour and elegance. The opulent dance hall boasts spectacular architecture, including unique features such as a sprung dance floor!

Sea Life

Discover the various species of marine life that inhabit the UK’s waters and beyond at Blackpool towers sea life centre. Watch sharks, stingrays and beautiful fish as you make your way around the tanks and exhibits.

MADAME TUSSAUDS BLACKPOOL

Get up close to your favourite celebrities and stars of the silver screen at Madame Tussauds Blackpool. This fantastic wax works exhibition has over 80 public figures to see during your visit. Take your photo with a range of realistic sculptures of some of the world’s best-known musicians, actors and TV characters in fun sets.

BLACKPOOL PLEASURE BEACH

Blackpool Pleasure Beach is a must visit if you’re looking for an adrenaline fuelled day out during your stay! Ride some of Britains best loved rollercoasters, including the Big One and Infusion. Experience thrills and laughter as you loop the loop and saw high into the sky, admiring views over the beach as you go. If you’d prefer to keep your feet on solid ground, or have little ones in your party, there’s plenty of smaller rides and attractions to try. Meet characters from PAW Patrol and SpongeBoB at Nickelodeon Land or watch one of the mesmerising shows at the Pleasure Beach arena.

HISTORY AND CULTURE

Other popular attractions to visit during a day trip to Blackpool include Blackpool Zoo – home to lions, tigers, elephants and gorillas. Or, if you’re looking for a cultural day out, why not head to Grundy Art Gallery or the Grand Theatre. Here you can marvel at beautiful pieces of contemporary artwork or watch a show or live music performance.

Lancaster

Lancaster is a historic city in the heart of Lancashire county just a 20 minute drive.

At the heart of the historic county of Lancashire, there are plenty of Lancaster attractions to keep the avid sightseer happy. There are several things to do in and around Lancaster, such as viewing the impressive buildings like Lancaster Castle and the City Hall.

In fact, you can take tours around both of these great buildings and let the guides fill you in on their history.

LANCASTER – HISTORIC CITY

The name ‘Lancaster’ comes from ‘Lon’ or the River Lune which the city sits on, and ‘Caster’ the Old English for fort. It is only appropriate then that much of the history of the city can be found around the castle, dating back as far as a Roman garrison around the 1st Century AD. The more modern history of the city is based around the Lune, as growing trade on the river brought prosperity as the industrial revolution began to bloom. While the port was only short lived due to the river becoming silted up, trade continued coming through other local ports such as Glasson Dock down the road.

LANCASTER CASTLE

Lancaster Castle is well worth a visit. We highly recommend booking a guided tour at this famous Lancaster attraction as there is so much to see and discover about this fascinating monument to power and authority in the North of England. The history runs from the dim past and pivotal roles in power struggles, all the way to nearly the present day when the modern prison housed within the ancient walls closed in 2011. The castle recently received a grant to introduce Augmented Reality to the attraction – this now active and you can download the app now

WILLIAMSON PARK

If you tire of the historic buildings, there is always other spectacular Lancaster attractions such as Williamson Park. The grounds of the park are stunning, with plenty of room to let the kids (or the dog!) run around. There are also the beautiful buildings such as Alexandria Tower in the centre of the park and the nearby mausoleum. If you really want a treat however, try out the butterfly house.

If all else fails, Lancaster is also a thriving city! If the mood takes you, you can take the day out to shop and unwind – either with or without taking in the sights of this great city!

Morecambe

Stretching from the mouth of the River Wyre at Fleetwood all the way past Morecambe, Heysham and Grange-Over-Sands to the South West of Cumbria, Morecambe Bay offers some of the most beautiful coastline in Britain. Visitors to the Bay are often surprised by the golden sandy beaches that seem to stretch on forever, with rocky outcrops, dramatic salt marshes and tranquil coves, which all play host to a unique ecosystem of flora and fauna. You can experience the beauty of this awe-inspiring coastline from around the Bay from any of the headlands, which offer spectacular seascape views.

Morecambe Bay is one of the most important wildlife sites in Europe, offering opportunities for a range of incredible wildlife experiences. A quarter of a million waders, wildfowl and gulls can be found here – either wintering, breeding, or passing through on their migrations. There is also a diverse range of marine creatures, such as seals, found around the Bay.

For active visitors, you may be interested that a number of long distance walking and cycling routes start (or finish) in the Morecambe Bay area. These include the Way of the Roses (long distance cycle route from Morecambe Bay to Bridlington Bay) and the Lancashire Coastal Way. For something more gentle, there are cycle routes along Morecambe Promenade, where you can take in the breath-taking beauty of the Bay. For walkers, the cross-bay walk is a popular nine-mile trek from Arnside to Kents Bank, but beware of deep water, quick sands and tides. It generally takes about three hours or more to complete the walk.

As the home of the beloved comedic legend Eric Morecambe, who took his stage name from the coastal town, Morecambe Bay is a splendid tribute to the man himself. Visitors can observe the larger-than-life statue of the comedian in his most iconis pose, set against the Bay’s stunning backdrop. In addition, you can visit the award-winning Leighton Hall, home to the famous furniture making Gillow dynasty. Elsewhere, Happy Mount Park, originally created in the 1920s, provides a wonderful, modern, family friendly area with activities for all ages.

Forest of Bowland

THINGS TO DO IN THE FOREST OF BOWLAND AONB

During your stay you may wish to visit the Forest of Bowland. The Forest of Bowland is an internationally recognised Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

There are many things to do in the region, especially if you love exploring the great outdoors. The Forest of Bowland is home to a number of quaint, picturesque villages as well as plenty of walking trails and cycle tracks.

Escape the stresses of daily life and make the most of miles upon miles of remote countryside. While the area is frequented by hikers and cyclists all year round, it is seldom busy and remains largely untouched by tourism. The Forest of Bowland is considered one of England’s hidden gems and those who visit experience unspoilt natural beauty and unrivalled peace and quiet.

HISTORIC FOREST OF BOWLAND

The Forest of Bowland is a historic Royal Forest – more of an ancient hunting preserve than a wooded area. Much of the area is heather moorland, but you’ll also find lowland, fells and acres of farmland. Along with the internationally renowned natural beauty, there are over 500 listed buildings and 18 scheduled monuments to explore.

WILDLIFE SPOTTING

The area is a haven for birds, and is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest. During your visit you should keep your eyes peeled for the Hen Harrier, whose image forms the symbol of the Forest of Bowland AONB. As recently as 2013, there were no breeding Hen Harriers in England, however the forest included in a European project to ensure a sustainable future for this stunning bird of prey.

There are lots of other species of native wildlife to look out for. Avid bird watchers may get to see peregrines, red grouse, snipe, stonechats and lapwings amongst other species. The diverse landscapes create the perfect environment for wildlife to thrive, so there are also frequent sightings of brown hares, bats and various butterflies and moths. Don’t forget to submit your wildlife sighting so that a record can be kept to aid conservation efforts.

WALKING AND CYCLING

If you’re planning a walking holiday in Lancashire, then a trip to the Forest of Bowland is an absolute must! Enjoy some of the best rural trails in the region, many of which you’ll have completely to yourself for the majority of the walk. The paths wind through through spectacular scenery with routes to suit all ages and abilities. Whether you’re keen hikers looking to clock up some serious miles or a young family looking for a circular route so the little ones can burn off some steam, you’re guaranteed to find a trail suited to your needs. You can download plenty of walking maps from the Forest of Bowland website.

STARGAZING

The Forest of Bowland is a renowned stargazing venue thanks to its dark skies and limited light pollution. It recently received official accreditation, with the area being recognised as a Dark Sky Discovery Site. On a clear night, astronomers and astro photographers can marvel at the beauty of the night sky and capture stunning imagery of the constellations and planets. Within the AONB there are 5 designated sites, where you can park up and watch the stars in all their glory.

FAMILY FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES

If you’re travelling with children, there are a number of family friendly activities in the Forest of Bowland. There are some fantastic picnic spots where you can enjoy a bite to eat and some family games. Alternatively, complete one of the sculpture or nature trails, which aim to encourage little ones to take an interest in wildlife from a young age. As an extra special treat, there are also some wonderful children’s farms, including the Bowland Wild Board Park!

PLANNING YOUR VISIT

If you’re still looking for ideas you can download the latest brochure to get some ideas of where to go while visiting the Forest of Bowland. Just head over to the Forest of Bowland website to download your free guide.

Garstang

Garstang is a historic market town, situated on the banks of the beautiful River Wyre. It is just a 15-minutes drive from the cabins, in between Lancaster and Preston. With plenty of cafés, shops and scenic walks nearby, there’s much to offer visitors during a day out. We highly recommend taking some time to explore this pretty town.

If you plan on indulging in a spot of retail therapy during your holiday in Lancashire, Garstang is the place to go. Unlike larger towns and cities nearby, there are few national retailers, but a fantastic mix of independent shops to peruse.

Garstang market dates back to the 1300’s and continues to draw people to the town every week. The traditional market takes place on Thursdays and stretches along the length of the high street. There are a variety of goods available to purchase, including stalls selling household goods, clothes, plants and more.

In addition to the weekly market, there are a number of stalls in the Market Hall on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Here you can find fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as locally sourced meats and other artisan produce. Interestingly, Garstang was crowned the world’s first Fairtrade Town due to the importance it placed on sustainably sourced food. In the years that have followed many places around the world have achieved this status, but Garstang certainly was at the forefront in this field.

WALKS FROM GARSTANG

If you like walking there are a number of scenic routes that can be easily reached from Garstang. We highly recommend picking up the Garstang Heritage Trail leaflet and following one of the marked routes around the town. There are 3 trails of varying lengths, each showing various buildings of historical importance. The leaflet includes original artwork and lists interesting facts.

Another of our favourite places to walk during a trip to Garstang is the Millennium Green. This outdoor space is just moments from the town centre and provides the perfect setting for both the local community and visitors to enjoy the outdoors. There’s a picnic area and interesting bird sculptures to take in. There’s also a 30-minute circular walk, from which you may be lucky enough to spot a range of birdlife, squirrels and may be even a bat!

PLACES TO EAT IN GARSTANG

You certainly won’t go hungry during a trip to Garstang – there are lots of lovely places to eat and drink. If you’re in the mood for traditional pub food, we suggest treating yourself to a meal at The Royal OaK, Pipers or The Kitchen Tap. For lighter bites or delicious tea, coffee and cake head to Cafe Mila or Bridge 64 Café Bar.

FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENTS

Every year Garstang plays host to a number of fantastic events. Perhaps the most well-known is the Arts and Music Festival, which culminates on the August bank holiday. Over the course of the 10-day event there are plenty of performances from entertainers and local bands. The Arts Centre is a hive of activity with a variety of workshops and exhibitions taking place.

Other events include the annual Garstang Agricultural Show, Ice Cream Festival, Children’s Festival, Victorian Christmas Festival and Scarecrow Festival.