The Best Day Trips In Lancashire UK

From the Lake District to the coastline on the Irish Sea, Lancashire is brimming with natural splendour and plays host to several cities and holiday towns. As a stopover, a destination during a bigger trip of the British countryside or just a way to soak up a weekend, Lancashire has something for all occasions.

1. Blackpool

Architectural Landmark

There’s no better place to start exploring Lancashire than the most famous holiday town in the UK. Marked by the 158m (519ft) Blackpool Tower and the ever-popular Pleasure Beach, Blackpool is full of entertaining options, as well as a sprawling coastline. It can be reached by train from just about any major UK city and is only an hour by car from Liverpool or Manchester.

2. Whalley

Architectural Landmark, Natural Feature

The entire county of Lancashire is steeped in history, and few places more so than Whalley. To get here, you have to cross the Whalley viaduct, a gigantic 1840s railway bridge built from some 7m bricks. Beyond that, you have Whalley Abbey, a 13th-century monastery, and great woodland hiking all around. Whalley is just 45 minutes north of Manchester.

3. Turbary Woods Owl and Bird of Prey Sanctuary

Zoo

If you’re in the market for a great wildlife experience, Turbary Woods has got you covered. This volunteer-run organisation, set in an idyllic woodland environment, is home to dozens of rescued birds of prey. You can even watch the falconers fly them. Also, it’s not hard to reach, either by train to Preston or by car, taking 45 minutes from Manchester or an hour from Liverpool.

5. Fylde Coast

Natural Feature

For a seaside experience that avoids the bustle of Blackpool, the Fylde Coast is ideal. If you start from Lytham St Annes, an hour by car from either Liverpool or Manchester, you can visit the famous windmill and set off walking along the beach. Carry on southwards and you’ll reach Fairhaven Lake and a string of other small seaside villages, making for a picturesque, enjoyable route with plenty of places to stop off for a bite or a pint.

6. Pendle Sculpture Trail

Natural Feature, Architectural Landmark

White Unicorn on the Pendle Sculpture trail, Aitken wood, Barley, Lancashire, UK

Feeling cultural? The Pendle Sculpture Trail is the solution. Another landmark along the southern edge of the Lake District, less than an hour north of Manchester, the trail follows a forest path that tells the history of the infamous Pendle Witches. Each of the 15 sculptures plays a role in the story, whether you’re interested in the past or keeping the kids entertained. With forest walks all around, losing a day here isn’t difficult.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.