Lancashire: Trails, Wildlife and History

Discover Lancashire in many different ways along long-distance trails, riverbanks and through historic buildings. The Way of the Roses is a coast-to-coast route from Morecambe in Lancashire, via Lancaster and York, to Bridlington. Other highlights include the wildlife-rich shores of Morecambe Bay and the gently rolling landscapes of the Forest of Bowland. When choosing where to stay, first consider whether walking, cycling, wildlife watching or history will be the focus of your trip.

Walking and cycling

The Lancashire Cycleway consists of a northern and a southern circular route that meet in Whalley. It uses quiet country roads, passes through scenic areas and is well signposted. The route is also accessible from several railway stations along the way. For specific connections, check the timetable for your travel date.

The walking routes differ in both their format and length. The Ribble Way follows the River Ribble from the coast near Preston to its source in the hills of the Yorkshire Dales. Its 70 miles are divided into seven sections. The Pendle Way, by contrast, is a 45-mile circular walk divided into eight sections. If you’re looking for a circular route, bear these features of the Pendle Way in mind; on the Ribble Way, the coast and source determine the direction. The number and length of the sections help you gauge the scale of the two routes without treating them as comparable types of walk.

For a shorter bike ride, the Fellside Trail on Beacon Fell is one option: this circular route is designed for mountain bikes and takes about an hour. Route conditions can change, so check them before setting off. A multi-use route follows the River Lune roughly from Glasson, near Cockerham, via Lancaster to Bull Beck, near Caton. Its section between Lancaster and Bull Beck Picnic Site runs along the riverbank and is suitable for people with disabilities. Check local conditions before travelling.

Nature and getting around

Leighton Moss is home to the largest reed bed in north-west England. The reserve provides a habitat for otters, bitterns, marsh harriers and red deer, among other wildlife; which animals you can see varies with the seasons. The paths and hides also provide practical guidance for visiting: with the exception of the path to Lower Hide, all paths are fully accessible, and all hides are wheelchair accessible. As local conditions can change, it’s a good idea to check before your visit.

Silverdale railway station is 250 metres from Leighton Moss and is on the Manchester Airport/Preston–Barrow line. Timetables can change, so check the connection for your travel date. This allows you to plan your journey to the nature reserve separately, rather than assuming it has the same conditions as the walking or cycling routes.

Castles, courtrooms and industrial history

Lancaster Castle is one of the best-preserved castles in England and offers guided tours. Visitors see parts of the modern prison, Georgian courtrooms and medieval areas. Over the centuries, the courtrooms were also the setting for the trials of the Lancashire Witches, who were sentenced to death in 1612. The visit brings together different periods: medieval rooms, Georgian courtrooms and the history of a later prison.

Queen Street Mill is the world’s last surviving 19th-century steam-powered weaving mill. The weaving shed still contains 308 Lancashire looms. Guided tours trace the process from raw cotton to woven fabric and demonstrate historic machinery; demonstrations may vary depending on the programme. Ribchester Roman Bath House adds an earlier historical focus to visits to the industrial sites and castles: it was built around 100 AD for cavalry soldiers and the local Romano-British population. The ruins are open to the public year-round, free of charge, from 9 a.m. until dusk. Check opening arrangements before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Wrea Green, Skelmersdale, Samlesbury, Rufford, Preston, Poulton Le Fylde, Over Kellet, Ormskirk, Leyland, Lancaster, Holcombe, Haslingden, Garstang, Fleetwood, Croston, Cockerham, Clitheroe, Carnforth, Burnley, Accrington, West Bradford, Tunstall, Chorley, Newchurch, Ellel, Barton, Kirkham, Pilling, Rawtenstall, Broughton, Burscough, St Michael's On Wyre, Lea, Waterloo, Kelbrook, Appley Bridge, Sabden, Scarisbrick, Oswaldtwistle, Bacup, Charnock Richard, Colne, Up Holland, Great Harwood, Heysham, Whitworth, Nelson, Bickerstaffe, Langho, Penwortham, Fulwood, Rishton, Wilpshire, Euxton, Scorton, Barrowford, Salterforth, Preesall, Bolton by Bowland, Aughton, Hoghton, Arkholme, Hest Bank, Slaidburn, Whalley, Goosnargh, Foulridge, Claughton-on-Brock, Barnoldswick, Morecambe, Whittingham, Silverdale, Longridge, Hutton, Worsthorne, Calder Vale, Southfield, Ribchester, Lytham Saint Annes, Winewall, Leck, Withnell, Hornby, Thornton-Cleveleys.

For the wider travel overview: North West England.