Lancashire hotels

Photo by flickr user Purple sea donkey

Once at the forefront of the cotton industry, Lancashire is now a county of contrasts with rolling countryside, seaside resorts, rural villages and, of course, the city of Lancaster from which the county’s name derives.

Lancaster’s castle reminds us of the county’s link with the monarchy; however these days Lancaster’s a small university city through which runs the River Lune. Away from the city, the beautiful Forest of Bowland forms part of the Pennines and, with its deep valleys and heather moorlands, is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Aside from country walks, fishing and other outdoor activities, there’s plenty to visit: Clitheroe Castle, Ribble Valley’s Sculpture Trail, the ruins of Sawley Abbey, to name but a few.

On the coast, Blackpool – retaining its popularity since its Victorian heyday – continues to be a popular resort. Opened up to holidaymakers in the late 19th century, following the building of two railway stations, tourists still come to see the town’s famous tower and ballroom, the Pleasure Beach and the town’s annual illuminations. Head further north and you’ll arrive at the resorts of Fleetwood and Morecambe.

Lancashire’s accommodation for visitors, once a limited selection, now includes a multitude of options, ranging from country houses to boutique B&Bs, family hotels and rural inns. Here’s our pick; several of them admirably reflect the wealth of local produce available in Lancashire (see www.visitlancashire.com for information on its food and cheese trails), with some superb cooking on offer. The order of the hotels in this list bears no reflection on our preference.

Written by Helena Hamlyn