8 Lancashire Towns and Cities To Visit Next
Looking for towns and cities to visit in Lancashire? There are so many excellent places to explore in this county – from the seaside resort of Blackpool with its well-loved tourist attractions, to the historic market town of Clitheroe with its specialist shops and ancient castle.
Don’t forget to potter around some of the picturesque villages while you’re here too, like Hest Bank with its old cottages, waterside moorings and picture-perfect canal warehouse.
If you’re in the mood to book a much-needed break, then take a look at our Ultimate North West England Camping Guide and read on to learn more about eight Lancashire towns and cities that you must visit next…
Lancaster
Lancaster is a designated heritage city, which means it’s nationally recognised as a destination of culture and history. There are many highlights to explore in this vibrant place, such as the 11th-century medieval castle, the city museum and lots of fine examples of Georgian buildings.
Spend a few hours browsing around the independent shops as well as the Grade II-listed Assembly Rooms Emporium, which sells vintage clothing and accessories among other items.
If you’re craving some green space or a woodland walk, then head to Williamson Park. It spans across an impressive 54 acres and is home to Ashton Memorial – a Grade I listed monument that was commissioned by Lord Ashton (a Lancaster industrialist) as a tribute to his late wife Jessy.
The park is a fantastic option for a family day out as there are lots of excellent activities, including a butterfly house and a small animal zoo, where you’ll see the likes of meerkats and marmosets.
Set up camp in Lancaster for the night so you have more time to see the city.
Morecambe
This small town is on the southern coast of Morecambe Bay and has some of the best views of any seaside resort in the UK. Stroll along the award-winning promenade and look across the water to the Lakeland mountains, or take a picnic to the beach one evening to catch a truly magical sunset.
The bay is alsoone of the best places in the country when it comes to adventurous outdoor activities such as mountain biking, powered paragliding or parachuting (what looks like a bird or a plane in the sky may in fact be a person…)
While you’re here, you must have your photo taken next to the well-loved Eric Morecambe statue and look at the Tern Project, a series of sculptures dotted along the seafront that celebrate local birds and other wildlife in the area.
The nearby village of Hest Bank has a sand and pebble beach that’s lovely to stroll around, especially if you have a four-legged friend in tow. It’s also only around a 20-minute drive from the Lake District, so you may want to extend your short break and spend a couple of nights in the popular and attractive towns of Windermere or Keswick.
Want to make some new memories? Escape to Morecambe for a few days.
Blackpool
Have you ever thought about visiting (or returning to) Blackpool? It’s one of the largest and most popular seaside resorts in the country and an excellent place for a family day out.
The most easily recognised landmark here has to be Blackpool Tower – the town’s only Grade I listed building – which was coined the ‘Wonderland of the World’ soon after it opened on 14th May 1894. Today, visitors to this remarkable and impressive structure can admire the surrounding views from 380 feet up in the sky, see some death-defying stunts in a world-famous circus show or explore the ballroom as seen on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’.
Kids usually love an afternoon at Blackpool Zoo too, an award-winning attraction that houses over 1500 rare and exotic animals. Popular exhibits here include ‘Gorilla Mountain’, ‘Project Elephant Base Camp’ and ‘Giraffe Heights’, and there are also a number of play areas to climb and swing in. The zoo is open daily from 10am, but check the website for updates before visiting.
You’ll also have a thrilling time at the UK’s most iconic theme park, Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Scream at the top of your lungs on the legendary Big One and Valhalla or, if you don’t do rollercoasters, book a ticket to one of the many comedy, horror or psychic shows that are performed here.
For some more ideas on family-friendly activities, check out our list of the top things to do in Lancashire.
Lytham St Annes
This Victorian seaside town of Lytham St Annes is just two miles south of Blackpool, but its character and atmosphere are completely different.
If the words ‘par’ and ‘birdie’ mean anything to you, you might be glad to know that there are four golf courses and links here. If you’re more interested in history and architecture then head to Lytham Hall – a Grade I listed Georgian country house – or Lytham Windmill, which is now open to the public.
Fancy dipping your toes in the sea and basking in the British sun? St Annes beach is huge so it should be easy to find a spot on the sand. Before you leave the seafront, amble through the attractive promenade gardens where you can sit and listen to the sound of the waterfalls for a moment of tranquility.
Not ready to leave Lytham St Annes just yet? Then stay in a campsite here for a night or two.
Preston
There’s lots to see and do in the city of Preston. Spend a few hours immersed in the exhibitions at Harris Museum, Art Gallery & Library, learn about locomotives at Ribble Steam Railway Museum, or relax and people-watch in Avenham and Miller Park.
Prefer to shop until you drop? Fishergate and Friargate are the two main shopping areas in town for some well-known brands and high street chains. There are also plenty of vintage and antique stores to browse, as well as a variety of regular craft and farmers' markets to indulge in.
After you’ve explored the city, take a walk (or take a guided tour) around the Grade I listed Hoghton Tower just a short drive away. It was built by Thomas Houghton in 1565 but there’s evidence to suggest that previous structures at the site date back to 1109. It’s on a hilltop, so there are brilliant views over the Lakes, the Irish Sea and Wales.
Fans of literature might like to know that both Dickens and Shakespeare were regular visitors to the tower, as were royal couples such as William III and Queen Mary. There are also some gorgeous green spaces and lush lawns to wander around here, including the scented rose garden and the striking ramparts garden – the latter has spectacular views over the Lancashire countryside.
Book a brilliant campsite near Preston and sleep under the stars.
Clitheroe
Clitheroe is an ancient market town in the Ribble Valley, near the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Visitors can explore the small but fantastic 12th-century Norman castle here, as well as its 16 acres of landscaped gardens that include a bandstand and skate park. If the weather’s good and you want to stretch your legs, follow one of the many circular walks from the fortification around the town and surrounding countryside.
Clitheroe is also home to Stonyhurst College– a leading Catholic boarding school that also claims to be the ‘oldest museum in the English-speaking world’. It has a collection of remarkable artefacts including some 15th-century silk vestments that were ordered by Henry VII for use in Westminster Abbey.
Did you know that there’s a number of specialist and award-winning shops to browse here too? Look for unusual bottles in the underground cellar of Byrne’s Wine shop, choose from a selection of 75 sausage varieties in Cowman’s Famous Sausage Shop or take home a bag of beans from the Exchange Coffee Company.
Clitheroe is a great base for a trip in Lancashire, so take a look at some campsites in the area where you can stay for a while.
Walk around Wycoller
Although Wycoller isn’t a town or a city, it’s made it onto our list because it’s absolutely worth visiting. If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle for an afternoon, then this village is just the tonic.
The sleepy hamlet forms part of a stunning country park and is perhaps best known for its connections to the Brontë sisters – it’s thought that Charlotte regularly visited the village during her many walks around the area.
Wycoller Hall is a late 16th-century manor house that was originally the centre of a large estate but has sadly fallen into disrepair. Much of its stonework has been taken and used in the construction of nearby houses and other local buildings. The hall is believed to have been the inspiration for ‘Ferndean Manor' in Charlotte Brontë’s well-loved novel 'Jane Eyre'.
Visitors can explore the ruins for free between 9am and 5pm daily, although it’s worth keeping an eye online for any changes.
Get closer to nature at a campsite in Wycoller.
Wander around the West Pennine Moors
Go beyond the boundaries of Lancashire’s towns and cities to the West Pennine Moors, where you can ramble around 90 square miles of uninterrupted and wild countryside.
It’s home to Rivington Pike – a summit on Winter Hill that’s particularly popular with walkers and mountain bikers. When you reach the top, you’ll see Pike Tower – a Grade II-listed building that was constructed in 1733 and was originally used as a hunting lodge. Peek inside the ruins and see if you find a door that leads to the small cellar…
Another spot that’s nearby and worth exploring on foot is Pendle Hill. It’s to the north of the West Pennine Moors and is perhaps best known for its beauty as well as its links to witchcraft. In 1612, the Pendle witches who lived here were put on trial (and later executed) in the city of Lancaster. Their legacy remains in the area which is shrouded in mystery.
The five-mile circular walk from Barley to Pendle Hill offers up outstanding views across the surrounding countryside and should take you just under three hours to complete.
The county is also known for its gorgeous countryside, so browse our list of the best places to walk in Lancashire.