When you are planning a Lancashire Spring break or a Lancashire Summer holiday, you will need to research what activities and events you are going to include. We’ve helped you out with a few suggestions below.
Canal Cruising
Kingfisher Cruises
A great way to see views of the county from the comfort of Kingfisher, a comfortable 60 passenger boat with modern interior, and open deck at the front. Kingfisher Cruises also offer entertainment cruises, quiz cruises, private hire and Afternoon Tea cruises. Keeping it traditional, you can choose a horse drawn canal cruise taken at a leisurely pace.
Cycling in Lancashire
Dunsop Bridge
A relatively easy 8 km cycle ride for all the family. The route starts in the village of Dunsop Village in the Ribble Valley where you travel beside the River Dunsop into the Forest of Bowland. Beautiful scenery along a flat tarmac path.
Lytham St Anne’s Promenade
Another good one for children passing the windmill at Lytham Green and Fairhaven Lake with a playground and café. Lovely views across Ribble Estuary with lots of birdlife and bird watching sites.
Bay Cycle Way
The Bay Cycle Way is a long-distance cycle route, but you can choose smaller sections for a very enjoyable day out for all the family. The cycle say starts at Walney Island, near Barrow in Furness and finishes at Glasson Dock, near Lancaster. We can thoroughly recommend the stretch along Morecambe Promenade, stopping off for refreshments at The Midland hotel.
Mountain Biking at Gisburn Forest
The largest forest in Lancashire, Gisburn Forest provides a variety of mountain biking for both adults and older teenagers. Fantastic views of the Forest of Bowland from high above the Ribble Valley. The routes are graded so that you can choose the appropriate skill level.
Country Parks
Thornton Hall Country Park
A great farm park with the exciting addition of Quadtrex, Thornton Hall Country Park has 160 acres of woodlands, fields and quarryland to diiscover on a quad bike. Be prepared for mud! The rest of the park is an award-winning working farm with deer park, safari park and the opportunity to get up close with a hands-on animal encounter. There’s a huge play barn for younger children, and an onsite eatery, making this a great all-weather experience for the whole family.
Gisburn Forest
The largest forest in Lancashire, Gisburn Forest has a range of waymarked footpaths and forest trails, including four mountain bike trails. They are also an accredited Dark Sky Discovery Site for those who love to star gaze.
Beacon Fell Country Park
Looking for a great view? At the Beacon Fell summit there is a spectacular view over the Forest of Bowland and Morecambe Bay, and if you are lucky with the weather, all the way to the Isle of Man. Beacon Fell Country Park has 271 acres of woodland, moorland and farmland. Full of wonderful wildlife including roe deer for the quick of eye, stoats, weasels, rabbits and hares, dragonflies and damselflies.
The Bowland Visitor Centre within the park is commended for the quality of its visitor information and for the way it encourages children to explore the natural environment.
Rivington Pike
A steepish climb but worth the effort. Rivington Pike commands spectacular views across Cheshire, the Lake District and the Isle of Man. Starting at Rivington Hall Barn, the route takes you through Rivington Terraced Gardens, named one of Britain’s Best Lost Gardens by Countryfile in 2014. You will pass beside summer houses, man-made caves, stone bothies and the Japanese Gardens. Most of this was the design of Thomas Mawson, commissioned by William Hesketh Lever, founder of Lever Brothers. Once you have explored the gardens, the path takes you out to Belmont Road where Rivington Pike Tower can be clearly seen on the hill above you. There’s a bench at the foot of the hill where you can take a break before you start the steep ascent.
Theatre and Arts
Dukes Theatre
Opened in 1971 in a converted Church, The Dukes Theatre continues to deliver outstanding theatre productions, the latest box office films, gripping drama, family shows, comedy and, of course, their annual award-winning Play in the Park.
The Platform
The Platform is a restored Edwardian railway station in Morecambe and offers live music, comedy, theatre, children’s shows and community events.
The TERN Project
Make your way to Morecambe’s seafront and follow the trail of award-winning sculptures that celebrate the birds and wildlife of the Bay. Cormorants, gannets, razorbills sit atop roundabouts. On the Stone Jetty, just behind The Midland there’s a giant compass, word puzzles to figure out, and a strange mythical bird. Follow a trail towards Festival Market and take a closer look at the poems and quotes by famous entertainers, authors and artists. Of course, don’t forget to smile for the camera alongside the statue of Eric Morecambe, the highlight of the trail.
Headlands to Headspace
The long horizons and big skies of Morecambe Bay inspired the Headlands to Headspace, a series of sculptural landscape artworks. Horizon Line Chamber is one of the commissioned pieces open to the public at Sunderland Point. It’s a conical stone chamber created out of reclaimed building stones unearthed at Sunderland Point, an original port settlement. The sculpture, or chamber, mimics an upturned boat. Inside, a projector inverts the outside world onto the walls and captures the ever-changing moods of the sea as well as the unique light of the Bay.
The Ship sculpture at Half Moon Bay is the creation of Anna Gillespie and depicts two figures balanced on a seafaring structure, referencing the strong link to the area’s Viking heritage. The two figures of the structure look in opposite directions, a point of welcome and a symbol of farewells.
Events and Festivals
Scorton Steam Weekend
Looking for ideas for Father’s Day – this fits the bill perfectly. With over 600 vintage and classic vehicles, steam engines, classic cars, military vehicle this is a great day out. There are arena displays, food stalls and beer tent, crafts and exhibitions, stunts, live music and a fairground and soft play areas for the children.
Royal Lancashire Show
Held at the end of July, the Royal Lancashire Agricultural Show is held at Salesbury Hall Estate in the heart of the Ribble Valley. A great day out for the family, with the best of Lancashire livestock, show jumping, ferret display, dog agility, dry stone walling diplays, shire horse parade and even a Shetland pony grand prix.
Wonderhall
A live music event held in the grounds of Lytham Hall in August. Wonderhall will be headlined by tenor Russell Watson as part of the Lytham Proms concert. There’s a mix of major headliners and picnic-style concerts. All ticket sales will be donated to the restoration of Lytham Hall, one of the finest Grade I Georgian houses in Lancashire couched in eighty acres of beautiful parkland.
Highest Point
A 2-day live music festival held in May at Williamson Park with many headline acts with crowds of over 35,000. This is a non-camping event.
Lancashire Game and Country Festival
Lancashire Game and Country Festival is a great day out for all the family at Scorton, Garstang, just off the M6. There are dog and horse shows, the fun of the Gundog scurry, Fly Fishing demonstrations, Birds of Prey Displays and Falconry sessions. All the usual fun of the fair with live music, country shopping a food village and theatre.
Lancaster Music Festival
Lancaster Music Festival has grown steadily over the last eleven years to become one of the UK’s largest urban music festivals.The city rings out with music from over thirty venues, all within easy reach of the city centre. You will find bands and artists in most of the city’s pubs and bars, in the courtyard of Lancaster Castle and in many of the cafes and coffee shops. The musical genres vary enormously which is part of the festival’s appeal. There will be over 200 artists, mostly performing free. Alongside the musical performances there will be street theatre and workshops. It’s held in October, so although not strictly a summer activity, it might be worth booking your accommodation early.
Other Things to do in Lancashire
We have lots of other information to help you plan your stay in Lancashire. Check out Walk Lancashire in Spring and Summer, Lancashire Attractions for Families, Lancashire Attractions for Adults and Couples, Unusual Spring Summer Activities in Lancashire and Lancashire Castles, Grand Houses, Museums and Monuments. Places to Stay in Lancashire.
Places to Stay in Lancashire for a Spring Break or Summer Holiday
Two great holidays that make a comfortable base to explore the wonderful Red Rose county. Lancaster House is just minutes from the city centre but with the added benefit of being on the doorstep of the Forest of Bowland. The Midland offers a luxurious seaside location with exceptional views over the Bay.
