Discover Where Life Feels Good in Lancashire this Summer
Afternoon picnics in the park, paddling in the sea, watching outdoor theatre, ice creams from the farm shop, festivals and funfairs, cycle rides in the countryside with friends, the smell of BBQs wafting through the air, camping outside and waking up to the dawn chorus – life really does feel good in the summer! And where better to spend your holidays than in Lancashire.
Find 100s of days out and unforgettable short breaks at visitLancashire.com where you can download our free digital Summer Guide to Lancashire 2015.
NEW in Lancashire for 2015
Step into your own Red Arrows cockpit and go on a 360-degree tour of the skies in the new £2million Sky Force ride at Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Spin, glide and create your very own display as you take the controls just like a Red Arrows pilot in the brand new 72ft high, 12 seat white-knuckle ride!
Oh we do love to be beside the seaside… and just a short walk from St Annes beach you’ll find the retro-chic, award winning St Annes Beach Huts. This summer they launch new stylish and family friendly self-catering Beach Apartments (opens 31 July from £480, min 3 night stay). During your stay pack up a picnic and hire a beach hut for the day (from £65.00 per day). Relax with all the family as you enjoy a traditional day at the beach, finished off with a beach BBQ and breath-taking sunsets across the Fylde coast.
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s legendary musical CATS (9 July – 5 September) is slinking its way to Blackpool with Jane McDonald starring as Grizabella and the tradition of booking that must-see summer show is well and truly back! Following the record-breaking success of MAMMA MIA! in 2014, the world famous Opera House in the Winter Gardens, Blackpool has picked the purrrfect show for 2015. Whether you’re revisiting a cherished favourite or creating new memories with family and friends, CATS is this summer’s hot ticket.
Explore the stunning coastline of Morecambe Bay on two wheels on the brand new family-friendly Bay Cycle Way. Ride at your own pace and discover some of the secrets of the coast with plenty of opportunities to take in the spectacular views and enjoy a taste of Lancashire – on a route promising you’re never far from “a view, a brew and a loo” If you’re more of a spectator then head to Colne for the Colne Grand Prix (15 July) or catch stage 2 of the eagerly awaited Tour of Britain (Ribble Valley and Pendle, Clitheroe to Colne Stage 2, 7 September). For cycle routes and events across Lancashire this summer visit cyclelancashire.com
From two wheels to snorkel and flippers, take your little explorers on a deep-sea adventure at SEA LIFE Blackpool at the brand NEW LEGO® CITY Deep Sea Explorer Experience (June to 31 August). Mini divers (3-15 years old) can embark on a novel treasure hunt to seek out fantastic LEGO® creations hidden amongst the more colourful marine life, in stunning displays across the attraction.
Outdoor Adventures and Festival Fever
Be part of the UK’s largest outdoor walkabout theatre experience as the story of Charles Dickens’ Oliver (3 July – 15 August) is brought to life with a Lancashire twist, as you are taken on a journey through the magnificent Williamson Park, Lancaster. Take a picnic and a rug and follow Oliver Twist as he encounters Fagin’s gang and attempts to alter the course of his life forever. This theatrical adventure is fresh-air fun for the whole family and will have you coming back for more!
Cloudspotting Music and Arts Festival 2015 (24 – 26 July) now in its 5th year and set in the enchanting Gisburn Forest. With the most exciting programme to date festival goers can enjoy alternative live music, family theatre, interactive arts, music workshops, themed arts and crafts, fine food and a fantastic line-up of ales.
The Ribble Valley is a must visit destination in August from award-winning hotels and restaurants to great family days out. Celebrate our fantastic British countryside with a day out for all the family at The Royal Lancashire Agricultural Show in Ribchester (7-9 August); the oldest of its kind in the country. The three-day extravaganza will showcase the best of livestock, produce, arts & crafts and rural activities. Just a few miles up the road over 20,000 food lovers will descend upon the food town of Clitheroe for the Clitheroe Food Festival (8 August). The streets come alive showcasing the finest Lancashire talent from food and drink to live music and pop-up bars. Give your junior Master Chefs hands-on experience in ‘The Food Academy’ or enjoy all the fun of the fair on the Castle Field.
Celebrating 26 years The Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival 2015 (28-31 August) continues to bring some of the best Rhythm and Blues artists to Lancashire’s newest capital of cool ‘Colne’. Voted Europe’s No1 Blues Festival this annual event sees hundreds of Blues musicians performing at all kinds of venues across the town, over four days. Fans are already saying it’s the best line-up to date. Coco Montoya, Anson Funderburgh, Davina and The Vagabonds, Billy Boy Arnold, Avery Sunshine, The Climax Blues Band and Nikki Hill are just some of the big names set to entertain the crowds this year. Look out for new talent and ‘unsigned artists’ in ‘fringe’ venues.
Blackpool Illuminations (4 September –8 November) attract millions of visitors every year and this year it’s sure to be one of the brightest and biggest to date. Visitors from all over the UK are expected to head to the Lancashire coast for the world’s biggest free light show, along the resort’s famous promenade. This years’ Blackpool iFest Switch-On 2015 (4 – 6 September) in association with Vintage TV hosted by Pat Sharpe will welcome a range of stars from Bananarama and Jason Donovan. NEW for 2015 the 2200 metre squared Comedy Carpet will be brought to life with live performances from Al Murray and a variety of special guests.
The award-winning Vintage by-the-Sea (5-6 September) Morecambe’s annual vintage extravaganza celebrates all things nostalgic from golden and style-conscious eras. Backed by locally born designer Wayne Hemingway, whether you’re a flapper girl, stylish mod or punk rocker with attitude you’ll find yourself dancing the night away! Spend the weekend at The Midland, Morecambe’s iconic art-deco hotel and immerse yourself in style and vintage glamour. Set against one of our very own stunning vistas and natural Lancashire ‘belle’, Morecambe Bay.
Fabulous Free Family Days Out
Find adventure and discover something new every day at the UK’s first floating Visitor Village at Brockholes Nature Reserve, Preston. Start your holidays with a nature expedition, with over 250 acres to explore and an adventure playground to challenge even the most energetic youngster. Fresh air and fun is FREE at Brockholes, just take enough cash for a delicious ice-cream or splash out on afternoon tea in the floating restaurant and café. Visit the information centre for tips on what to look out for, conservation, trails and worksheets.
Parking charges apply.
The skies are filled with the most jaw-dropping shapes and colours during Morecambe’s Catch the Wind Kite Festival 2015 (27 – 28 June). Whether you want to join in or simply enjoy the view it is a magical day out for all the family.
The UK’s largest free transport & arts family day out Fleetwood Festival of Transport – Tram Sunday (19 July) is set to welcome over 70,000 transport lovers to Fleetwood’s town centre. Classic and vintage vehicles go on display with a variety of entertainment to keep all the gang entertained. An incredible spectacle and a unique event that continues to grow in popularity each year.
Travel back in time during the Blackburn Heritage Festival (12-13 September) as you are taken on a magical history tour. Be part of the celebrations as Blackburn proudly tells the story of its past and looks to exciting plans for the future. From vintage hop-off and hop-on buses to Victorian fairground rides, brass bands and street theatre, clog dancing and giants, you’ll be amazed and delighted as Blackburn brings heritage to life.
Take a selfie with an Ogre or hide inside the shell along the Mythic coast artwork trail. The fascinating collection of sculptures and installations bring to life images from The Sea Swallow – a specially commissioned children’s story book that combines local folklore, myth and legend of Wyre’s coastline. It is a magical day by the seaside like you’ve never experienced before.
The Forest of Bowland ANOB is the size of New York City but there the comparison ends. This beautiful and unspoilt countryside, devoid of artificial streetlights, is emerging as a stargazer’s heaven. This Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is one of England’s darkest making it a hotspot day or night, a perfect location for bird-watchers, nature spotters and astronomers. Make a date with the AONB skies for August’s Perseid meteor shower – one of the year’s best!
Visit, stay, discover and explore the county with our Summer Guide 2015, featuring 11 pages of what’s on listings and tons of ideas to spend the holidays with family and friends! Download your copy today at visitlancashire.com/summer and follow #WhereLifeFeelsGood for regular updates, competitions and summer fun ideas.
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