Attractions in Lancashire

Polly Checkland Harding

The coastal county of Lancashire encompasses some top visitor destinations, including the evolution of former Victorian seaside resorts Blackpool and Morecambe into modern-day draws with year-round cultural clout. Home to the annual Illuminations, the Great Promenade Show and Grundy Art Gallery, Blackpool pairs contemporary art with world-famous venues including the town’s Tower and Ballroom. Morecambe’s best attractions, including its outdoor art and beautiful coastal cycling route, are often a reflection on the maritime heritage here, as well as the stunning landscape of Morecambe Bay.

Inland, Blackburn and Burnley have gained a reputation for an impressive roster of annual festivals, but also for new artworks by notable artists. Walk out to Burnley’s much-loved Singing Ringing Tree, or explore the street art decorating Blackburn’s Open Walls. Head to Prism Contemporary – or travel back in history to the tours and walks that document the notorious Pendle Witch Trials in the area. The historic city of Lancaster is also filled with centuries-old buildings, including the Castle and Judges’ Lodgings, as well as more modern venues such as The Dukes. Read on to find out more.

Our top picks

Blackpool Grand Theatre

Blackpool Grand Theatre, 33 Church Street, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY1 1HT - Visit now

The Blackpool Grand theatre is home to a high quality touring programme including drama, musical theatre, opera, ballet and dance.

Grand Theatre Blackpool

Prism Contemporary

Prism Contemporary, 14-16 Lord Street West, Blackburn, Lancashire, BB2 1JX - Visit now

Established in 2016, Prism Contemporary is an independent gallery run by artists, curators and producers showcasing new and evolving work.

Prism Contemporary
Courtesy of PRISM contemporary

SHIP at Half Moon Bay

SHIP at Half Moon Bay, DECO PUBLIQUE, 3 Northumberland Street, Morecambe, Lancashire, LA4 4AU - Visit now

SHIP at Half Moon Bay – a striking Corten steel sculpture by artist Anna Gillespie celebrating Morecambe’s maritime heritage. Outdoors, and perfect for walkers.

Image courtesy of Keith Stanley/ Anna Gillespie.

The Dukes

The Dukes, Moor Lane, Lancaster, Lancashire, LA1 1QE - Visit now

The Dukes is the only producing theatre in Lancashire, hosting touring productions, comedy, dance and music in the oldest cinema in town.

The Dukes, Lancaster

Blackpool Tower

Blackpool Tower, The Blackpool Tower, The Promenade, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY1 4BJ - Visit now

Blackpool Tower first opened to the public in 1894, and includes the Blackpool Tower Circus and Blackpool Tower Ballroom.

Walks in Blackpool
Courtesy of The Blackpool Tower

Pendle Hill

Pendle Hill, Pendle Hill, Nelson, Lancashire, BB9 6LG - Visit now

Most famous for its links to the now notorious witch trials of 1612, Pendle Hill is a truly bewitching area of Lancashire.

Pendle Hill
Courtesy of Visit Lancashire

White Elephant Gallery

White Elephant Gallery, 40 Euston Road, Morecambe, Lancashire, LA45DD - Visit now

The White Elephant Gallery, Morecambe. A radical arts space showcasing everything from photography and sculpture to installations and painting.

White Elephant Gallery, Morecambe
White Elephant Gallery

Blackpool Illuminations

Blackpool Illuminations, Blackpool, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY1 5AA - Visit now

Blackpool Illuminations: the number one free light show in the world stretches along Blackpool’s promenade every autumn for 66 nights.

Blackpool Illuminations
Image courtesy of Blackpool Illuminations/ Visit Blackpool.

Burnley’s Singing Ringing Tree

Burnley’s Singing Ringing Tree, Crown Point, Burnley, Lancashire, BB11 3RT - Visit now

The Singing Ringing Tree is a unique musical sculpture which overlooks Burnley from its position high on Crown Point.

Burnley's Singing Ringing Tree
Courtesy of Visit Lancashire

Bay Cycle Way

Bay Cycle Way, Morecambe, Lancashire, LA44BU - Visit now

The Bay Cycle Way is a perfect introduction to long-distance cycling. Morecambe Bay is one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the UK. As you cycle along the route you’ll be rewarded with incredible views, world-class historic sites and artefacts, traditional food and rare wildlife.

The Bay Cycle Way is a perfect introduction to long-distance cycling. Morecambe Bay is one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the UK.
Bay Cycle Way

Lancaster Castle

Lancaster Castle, Castle Parade, Lancaster, Lancashire, LA1 1YJ - Visit now

Lancaster Castle dates back almost 1,000 years and offers visitors a fascinating insight into the history of the judiciary and penal reform in England.

Lancaster Castle Lancashire
Lancaster Castle - Gidzy

Grundy Art Gallery

Grundy Art Gallery, Queen Street, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY1 1PU - Visit now

Grundy Art Gallery is recognised as a leading contemporary arts venue in the northwest, with a programme featuring established and emerging artists from the UK and around the world, alongside historic art from its own collection.

Tim Etchells, Lets Pretend (Large) (2014), installation view, Grundy Art Gallery. Photo: Phill Heywood, courtesy Grundy Art Gallery.

More Music

More Music, 13-17 Devonshire Road, Morecombe, Lancashire, LA3 1QT - Visit now

More Music is Morecambe’s award-winning community, music and education charity offering a year-round programme of activity for all ages.

More Music, Morecambe
Image courtesy of More Music

The Comedy Carpet

The Comedy Carpet, Tower Festival Headland, Promenade, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY1 1NE - Visit now

Blackpool’s Comedy Carpet sits in the shadow of the world famous Blackpool Tower – and it’s one of the largest pieces of public art ever commissioned in the UK.

The Comedy Carpet
Creative Tourist

Gawthorpe Hall

Gawthorpe Hall, Burnley Road, Padiham,, near Burnley,, Lancashire,, BB12 8UA - Visit now

Gawthorpe Hall, or the ‘Downton of the North’, was redesigned in the 1850s by Sir Charles Barry, designer of Highclere Castle, the ‘real’ Downton Abbey.

Gawthorpe Hall
National Trust

The Grand Theatre, Lancaster

The Grand Theatre, Lancaster, St Leonardgate, Lancaster, Lancashire, LA1 1NL - Visit now

The Grand Theatre Lancaster is one of the oldest working theatres in England and hosts plays, comedy, dance, music and musicals.

The Grand Theatre in Lancaster
Lancaster Grand

The Great Promenade Show

The Great Promenade Show, New South Promenade, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY4 1RW - Visit now

The Great Promenade Show consists of ten pieces of artwork along Blackpool Promenade from South Pier heading south.

Creative Tourist

Blackpool North Pier

Blackpool North Pier, North Pier Promenade, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY1 1NE - Visit now

The oldest and longest of Blackpool’s three Victorian-era piers, North Pier features a theatre, sun lounge and amusement arcade.

Creative Tourist

Winter Gardens Theatre

Winter Gardens Theatre, 209 Marine Road Central, Morecambe, Lancashire, LA4 4BU - Visit now

The Winter Gardens theatre is a truly extraordinary Grade II* listed building on Morecambe’s waterfront, run entirely by volunteers.

Winter Gardens Theatre Morecambe
Courtesy of Lancaster City Council

Stanley Park Blackpool

Stanley Park Blackpool, West Park Drive, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY3 9HQ - Visit now

There’s so much to see and do in Blackpool’s Stanley Park – so it’s no wonder it’s one of the nations favourite parks.

Stanley Park
Courtesy of Friends of Stanley Park

Blackpool Central Pier

Blackpool Central Pier, Promenade, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY1 5BB - Visit now

Blackpool Central Pier is home to the iconic Big Wheel alongside an array of attractions, amusements, shows and shopping.

Creative Tourist

Lancaster Arts

Lancaster Arts, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YW - Visit now

Lancaster Arts is Lancaster University’s public contemporary cross-arts organisation and showcasing work that spans boundaries and art forms.

Lancaster arts proms
Image courtesy of Lancaster Arts.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach

Blackpool Pleasure Beach, 525 Ocean Blvd,, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY4 1EZ - Visit now

Home to over 125 rides and attractions, including the world famous Big One and Infusion, the world’s only suspended looping coaster completely over water. Pleasure Beach Arena is also home to the Hot Ice show, the longest running ice show in the world.

Abingdon Studios

Abingdon Studios, 14 Abington Street, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY1 1DE - Visit now

Abingdon Studios is a not-for-profit, artist-run contemporary art studios and project space situated in the heart of Blackpool town centre.

Abingdon Studios
Image courtesy of Abingdon Studios, Blackpool.

Judges’ Lodgings

Judges’ Lodgings, Church Street, Lancaster, Lancashire, LA1 1YS - Visit now

Judges’ Lodgings is the oldest townhouse in Lancaster – close to Lancaster Priory it’s a popular destination hosting exhibitions and events.

Judge’s Lodgings, Lancaster, Lancashire
Image courtesy of LCC

Blott Studio

Blott Studio, Blott Artist Studios, 53 King Street, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY1 3EJ - Visit now

Since opening in 2000, Blott Studio has provided a platform for local, regional, and visiting guest artists.

Blott Studio
Courtesy of Blott Studios

The Waterloo Music Bar

The Waterloo Music Bar, 166 Waterloo Road, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY4 2AF - Visit now

The Waterloo Music Bar is a buzzing, characterful pub-slash-gig venue that sits proudly as one of the pillars of Blackpool’s live music scene.

Waterloo Music Bar
Courtesy of Waterloo Music Bar

Where to go in Lancashire

Morecambe
Theatre
Morecambe Winter Gardens

The Grade II listed Morecambe Winter Gardens opened its doors to the public on 17 July 1897 designed to be both a grand variety theatre and a concert hall.

Blackburn
Hotel
Northcote Hotel

Northcote’s luxury hotel perfectly matches its Michelin-star restaurant, nestled in the Ribble Valley hills on the edge of the Forest of Bowland.

Lancashire
Bed & Breakfast
Everything Retreat

A haven of luxury and serenity in the heart of the Ribble Valley, Everything Retreat is an idyllic spot for an indulgent getaway.

Morecambe
Guide over Sands

At low tide, the exposed bed of the Irish Sea connects the Lancashire coast with the Cumbrian hills across Morecambe Bay, allowing crossings over the sands.

Lancashire
Anderton Centre

Lower Rivington Reservoir is a scenic setting in which to try stand up paddle boarding, kayaking, canoeing or sailing.

Morecambe
Horizon Line Chamber

Horizon Line Chamber, a handmade stone oratory on the shoreline at Sunderland Point, is one of a series of Chamber works by the artist Chris Drury.

Lancashire
Library
The Ruskin Library, Lancashire

The Ruskin Library is a library of the University of Lancaster which houses the Whitehouse Collection of material relating to the English poet, author and artist John Ruskin and his circle.

Blackburn
Event venue
The Bureau Centre for the Arts

The Bureau is an artist led arts and community centre, providing a versatile and inclusive space for theatre, music, cultural events and community participation.

Lancaster
Gallery
Carnforth Station

Carnforth Station is the famous setting of the film Brief Encounter. As you stand on Platform 1 with its vintage suitcases and railway posters, you can almost imagine the era when steam trains frequently passed through.

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