5 fantastic family days out in Lancashire

Lancashire boasts a fantastic range of family-friendly experiences that will appeal to all members of the family, young and old alike. If you’re not sure where to start, these excellent family days out in Lancashire provide a mix of attractions that are perfect for teens, tots, gran and granddad, and mum and dad too!

Have a brilliant day out in Blackpool

Blackpool is bursting with exciting family attractions that can be enjoyed by children and adults of all ages. Get gallivanting in the pretty green space known as Stanley Park which has a boating lake, a café and fun activities such as crazy golf and bowling.

If scary thrills are what you seek then the Blackpool Tower Dungeon and the Pasaje Del Terror offer terrifyingly terrific delights. Alternatively enjoy a boost of adrenaline while riding the quickest and tallest rollercoaster in the UK courtesy of The Big One at Pleasure Beach.

Thornton Hall Farm Country Park

There’s no denying that sometimes kids can be rather beastly but if they’re on their best behaviour then a visit to Thornton Hall Farm Country Park is sure to be greeted with roars of enthusiasm.

Anyone who loves animals is sure to go wild with delight at the hands-on animal interactions and a massive indoor play barn provides the perfect place to get active whether it’s raining or sunny. Plus families who are seeking an adrenaline-filled adventure can get stuck into the action of quad-bike riding which accommodates beginners as well as experienced riders and people as young as six years old up to adults.

Lancaster Castle

Lancaster Castle stands proud and noble on its hilltop within the city centre and looking at it, tales of dark deeds wouldn’t be the first thing that springs to mind. However, Lancaster Castle’s history is full of them, from witch trials to public executions, and the castle served as a prison for many years up until 2011.

Today it still serves as a Crown Court, so naughty children better beware! Guided tours of the castle provide excellent insight into its extensive history. There is also lots of family fun to be had with Justice, a live-actor experience that brings the justice system to life in an exciting (and sometimes scary!) way.

Brockholes Nature Reserve

Family fun doesn’t have to cost a fortune, a fact that is well demonstrated by the beautiful Brockholes nature reserve. The reserve is free to enter and provides a wealth of enticing attractions. Explore the floating visitor village and find out about the wildlife in the reserve courtesy of the interactive Welcome Centre. Then see if you can spot some of the wildlife yourself such as birds, dragonflies and fish while discovering the reserve on foot.

Kids will love playing in the outdoor adventure playground and lots of family-friendly events and activities take place at the reserve throughout the year, such as creative craft sessions, pond dipping, wildlife walks and the opportunity to build dens.

Ribble Steam Railway

For a day of sightseeing in splendid style that won’t soon be forgotten, hop on board the wonderful Ribble Steam Railway. It’s full steam ahead on a three-mile return trip packed with excellent views.

You can see the UK’s biggest industrial locomotive collection here and discover more about the first electrical trains as well as the history of Preston docks in the railway museum.

Adventure awaits in lovely Lancashire

Wonderful animals, an awesome castle, an exciting steam railway, gorgeous nature and terrific terrors – Lancashire really has everything you need for an amazing family day out that will have young kids hopping in anticipation and even teens who are too cool for school looking forward to some superb social time with the “parentals” and aggravating siblings – who may not be so aggravating when there’s so much fun to be had.