14 free days out in Lancashire

Every now and again it’s great to forget the cares and stresses of daily life and simply enjoy a fun day out – and it’s even more fun if it can be enjoyed for free! These 14 free days out in Lancashire will have you relaxed and enjoying yourself in no time, and better yet won’t cost a penny.

Brockholes Nature Reserve

Brockholes Nature Reserve offers a whole host of wildlife attractions and activities to suit visitors of all ages. Explore the floating visitor centre, enjoy beautiful guided walks and spot the local animal residents on wildlife walks. Kids can also burn off some energy in the fun play areas and exercise their creativity with craft activities.

Harris Museum & Art Gallery

Situated in a Grade 1 listed building, the Harris Museum & Art Gallery is a great place to get a free fix of art and history. The collections within the museum and art gallery are wonderfully varied and include fine art such as sculptures and paintings, costumes and textiles, photographs, historical objects as well as archaeological items, so you are certain to find something that appeals to your interests here.

Enjoy a day at the Beach

Lancashire boasts a beautiful coastline and this is a wonderful county for enjoying a day at the beach. There is a fantastic choice of beaches to suit different needs and preferences, from quiet and secluded spots that are perfect for sandy strolls to bustling beaches packed with fun activities to keep the kids entertained and plenty of watersports for adrenaline-seekers to get involved in.

Chill out in a country park

Getting some fresh air and exploring Lancashire’s wonderful country parks is a great way to have a relaxing day out. Beacon Country Park is free to enter and offers guided walks, craft fairs as well as a golf course. Alternatively try the Wyre Estuary Country Park with its children’s play areas, stunning picnic spots and a variety of enticing events throughout the year.

Astley Hall

The attractive Astley Hall is a country house that has more than just its architecture to appeal to visitors. Located within the historic house is both a museum and an art gallery. The collections within Astley Hall span areas such as furniture, pottery and glassware, social and military history, archaeology as well as paintings and drawings, while outside you can enjoy a wander through the pretty landscaped grounds.

Penny Farm

Anyone who loves horses can get up close to these amazing creatures at Penny Farm, the Lancashire centre for the World Horse Welfare charity. You can meet the horses and ponies that call Penny Farm home, as well as complete a choice of two activity trails that provide a pleasant way to explore the farm.

Family-friendly cycling

Seeing Lancashire by bike offers a variety of benefits – the chance to see beautiful landscapes, enjoy healthy exercise and have fun. There are lots of family-friendly cycle routes to choose from that cater to all levels of cycling experience and provide safe and varied cycling locations, so each member of the family can get involved in the action.

Blackburn Museum & Art Gallery

Free and packed full of intriguing collections, the Blackburn Museum & Art Gallery provides an informative day out and the chance to see an excellent display of objects. The museum is home to the second biggest collection of Japanese woodcut prints in the UK, as well as the second biggest icon collection. Ceramics, medieval manuscripts and oil paintings are just some of the things that art and history enthusiasts can look forward to seeing.

Smithy Farm

Free access to the animal park at Smithy Farm lets visitors come face to face with a variety of cute animals including alpacas, goats, chickens and rabbits to name a few. There is also a kids’ play area and youngsters will enjoy playing on the toy tractors while older visitors relax in the seating area.

Heysham Heritage Centre

A visit to the Heysham Heritage Centre provides not only the opportunity to discover the history of Heysham through informative exhibitions and displays but also the chance to see a surviving 17th century longhouse (a cottage and adjoining barn).

Long-distance cycle routes

For cyclists who are looking for a bit of a challenge, Lancashire doesn’t disappoint. An excellent selection of long-distance cycle routes that include road and off-road cycling offer a superb sightseeing trip as well as the ability to test cycling skills and experience a variety of terrains and landscapes along the way.

Ashton Gardens

Ashton Gardens at St-Annes-on-Sea are a beautiful Grade II listed collection of gardens. This delightful green space is ideal for exploring at a leisurely pace or providing a picturesque picnic location, and there is also a play area for children as well as a bowling green.

Healey Dell Nature Reserve

Healey Dell Nature Reserve is a stunning beauty spot that will attract nature lovers as well as people with an interest in industrial archaeology. Visitors can discover the remains of old mills and bridges and perhaps spot some of the local wildlife that live in the reserve.

Bolton Museum, Art Gallery & Aquarium

The Bolton Museum, Art Gallery & Aquarium is home to an extensive collection of items covering areas as diverse as botany, geology, Egyptology and fine art. Within the aquarium visitors can find freshwater fish from around the world including places such as Brazil, Madagascar, Borneo and Peru.

Art, activities and animals

With such a great variety of free days out, from exciting sports activities to enticing art museums and fun animal attractions for the kids, it’s a breeze to get out and about and explore Lancashire without breaking the bank.