Lancashire

Lancashire's coastline and countryside offer plenty of contrast. Blackpool draws visitors with its lively promenade, illuminations and traditional seaside fun, while Carnforth and Silverdale sit quietly near the Arnside and Silverdale limestone coast, better suited to slower walking holidays. Pilling and Cockerham lie among the flat, agricultural land of the Fylde, peaceful villages with wide skies and little traffic. Poulton-le-Fylde retains a market-town charm close to the bustle of the coast, making it a good base for those wanting both calm streets and easy access to Blackpool's attractions.

Inland, Preston serves as the county's main hub, with shops, transport links and city amenities for a practical stopover. To the east, Colne and Earby sit at the edge of the Pennines, offering good walking country and a slower pace, while Gisburn and Bolton-by-Bowland are classic Ribble Valley villages, ideal for those seeking rural quiet. Ribchester, with its Roman history, suits visitors keen on heritage alongside gentle countryside surroundings.

Blackpool accounts for the great bulk of Lancashire's hotels and guest houses, and the choice reflects the resort's long history as a seaside holiday town. Rows of terraced guest houses like The Glen Guest House, Avenue Guest House and Three Piers Guest House sit close to the seafront and Promenade, while other properties such as Beaucliffe Continental and Shirley Heights Hotel offer a bit more space to those wanting a quieter base slightly back from the crowds.

Names like Charlton Hotel, The Draytonian, Roselea Hotel - St Chads, The Cardoun and The Brioni give a sense of the sheer number of small, family-run establishments packed into the town's grid of streets. Most are within easy walking distance of the Tower, the Illuminations route and the beach, so picking one often comes down to street and outlook rather than distance from the action.

Lancashire's days out range from the seafront thrills of Blackpool Pleasure Beach to quieter pursuits inland, and the county's spread of towns means there's a good mix within easy reach of each other. Blackpool itself remains the big draw, with rides, arcades and family entertainment lining the Fylde coast, while nearby Lytham St Annes, Fleetwood and Poulton-le-Fylde offer gentler alternatives for a slower-paced visit.

Away from the coast, Blackburn, Accrington and Chorley have their share of indoor activity centres, soft play and trampoline parks such as Energi Trampoline Park Preston, useful for wet days or younger children who need to burn off energy. Clitheroe and Garstang lean towards the countryside end of things, with trails like the Garstang Mystery Treasure Trail suited to a family walk.

For something more active, climbing walls, paintballing and tag warfare venues crop up across the county, including Onyx Climbing Wall and Action Tag Warfare Blackpool, giving groups plenty of choice beyond the standard tourist spots.

Lancashire's dining scene splits fairly neatly by town. Blackpool's seafront and side streets are thick with cafes and family-friendly spots geared towards day-trippers, while Preston and Blackburn offer a broader mix, from curry houses like Taste of Bengal to relaxed bistros such as Winstons Bistro & Bar. Burnley and Chorley add their own smaller clusters of pubs and coffee houses worth seeking out.

Beyond the town centres, the county's rural edges throw up some pleasant surprises, with farm cafes and countryside stops like Ridgeway Farm and Pennine Lancashire Community Farm making a good excuse for a drive. Elsewhere, independent cafes such as Perry's Vinyl Cafe and Bramleys Coffee House suit a slower morning, while places like Do Dah's and All On Board cover more casual, easy-going meals out.

Lancashire's campsites range from coastal caravan parks near Blackpool to quiet farm pitches and glamping huts tucked into the countryside around Gisburn, Trawden and Cowan Bridge. The Forest of Bowland and the fringes of the Yorkshire Dales give the northern and eastern sites a real rural feel, with places like Bowland Escapes and Kelker Well Roundhouse making the most of the hills and drystone-walled fields.

Further west and south, around Ormskirk, Chorley and Preston, sites tend to suit those wanting easy access to towns and the coast without giving up green surroundings, while Pilling and Carnforth offer a mix of traditional caravan parks and smaller certificated locations for those touring in a van or tent.

Glamping options have grown steadily too, from shepherd's huts and roundhouses to more elaborate stays such as Hedgerow Luxury Glamping and Puddleduck Glamping, giving visitors a comfortable alternative to canvas without straying far from the county's working farmland.

Lancashire's self-catering options range from smart apartment blocks in Blackpool to countryside cottages near Burnley and Preston. Blackpool accounts for a good share of the county's stock, with properties like Queens Mansions and The Granville offering apartment-style suites within walking distance of the seafront and its attractions, useful for families wanting a base rather than a hotel routine.

Away from the coast, expect a different pace. Cottages such as Woodpecker Cottage suit those after a quieter stay, with the Ribble Valley and countryside around Burnley and Preston better suited to walking breaks and longer stopovers. The Berkeley collection, with its individually named apartments, sits somewhere between the two, offering flexible options for couples or groups.

Choosing between them largely comes down to what you want on your doorstep: promenade and amusements in Blackpool, or hills and market towns further inland.