Love Travelling Blog

Travel diaries providing inspiration for planning the perfect trip

Lancashire

  • Holmes Mill, Clitheroe

    Holmes Mill, Clitheroe

    History Holmes Mill is a former cotton mill that’s been lovingly restored, enhancing its heritage to create a splendid leisure destination. The mill was established in 1823 and underwent several changes of use and ownership until manufacturing ceased in the 1970’s. James’ Places acquired the buildings in 2015 and embarked on a stunning £10m programme…

  • Shireburn Arms, Clitheroe

    Location: Steeped in history and renowned for its good food and its friendly welcome, the Shireburn Arms is situated in the idyllic village of Hurst Green in the scenic Ribble Valley. This beautiful part of east Lancashire is centred around the prosperous market town of Clitheroe five miles away and is easily accessible being only…

  • The Fenwick, Claughton, Nr. Lancaster

    Hotel Review: The Fenwick, Claughton, Lancaster

    Hotel Review: Overview: The Fenwick is a historic pub full of character dating back over 250 years making it the perfect place for a cosy short break in north west Lancashire. Location: The country inn is located in the village of Claughton (pronounced Clafton) on the A683 east of Lancaster, just north of the Forest…

  • Royal Kings Arms Hotel, Lancaster

    Royal Kings Arms Hotel, Lancaster

    Hotel Review Location: The Royal Kings Arms Hotel is centrally located in the historic city of Lancaster and within easy walking distance of all the main sights and shops.  The hotel was originally constructed in the 17th century in the reign of Charles 1 but was later rebuilt in 1879 following a devastating fire. Getting…

  • Midland Hotel, Morecambe

    The Midland Hotel, Morecambe

    Hotel Review The Midland Hotel is an iconic 1930’s hotel and a classic example of Art-Deco architecture with its graceful curved lines designed to reflect the sweep of Morecambe Bay. This modernist masterpiece was built opposite the former Morecambe Promenade railway station and more recently has undergone extensive renovations to return it to its former…

  • Morecambe bay

    Exploring Morecambe and Heysham

    Our day started with a delicious breakfast taking in the scenic views overlooking Morecambe Bay from the Sun Terrace restaurant of the Midland Hotel.  Our overnight stay at this iconic hotel had been fabulous and I’d definitely recommend it for a luxurious break in the town. Despite being sad to leave, we had much to…

  • Arnside pier

    Exploring Morecambe Bay

    After starting the day with a hearty breakfast at the Royal Kings Arms Hotel in Lancaster we checked out of the hotel and set off to explore the wider, rural area beyond the city. Our first stop was Arnside which lies 15 miles to the north west of Lancaster.  It’s a picturesque, small town that sits on…

  • Lancaster Castle

    Exploring Lancaster

    Lancaster is located in north west Lancashire, gaining its first charter as a market town back in 1193 but not becoming a city until 1937.  With an imposing medieval castle, historic buildings, interesting museums, parks, riverside walks and good shopping, there’s much to see and do. Getting there: Lancaster is accessible by road from the…

  • Coach and Horses, Bolton by Bowland, Lancashire

    The Coach and Horses, Bolton-by-Bowland, Lancashire

    Location: The Coach and Horses is a delightful AA five star country inn located in the picturesque village of Bolton-by-Bowland in the Ribble Valley.  This scenic part of east Lancashire is centred around the prosperous market town of Clitheroe six miles away and is easily accessible from the M6 motorway with Lancaster being 18 miles…

  • The Alma Inn, Laneshawbridge

    The Alma Inn, Laneshawbridge, Lancashire

    Hotel Review  Location:  The Alma Inn is located in an idyllic moorland setting high above the village of Laneshawbridge on the East Lancashire/ North Yorkshire border. Although seemingly remote, it lies within 5 miles of the M65 motorway and less than an hour from Manchester.  The inn is also convenient for exploring North Yorkshire and…

  • Assheton Arms, Downham

    The Assheton Arms, Downham, Lancashire

    Restaurant Review The Assheton Arms lies at the foot of Pendle Hill in the picturesque village of Downham near Clitheroe in Lancashire.  After a lengthy closure, the pub has just re-opened with new owners, Bowland Inns & Hotels, the parent company behind Bowland Brewery and the James Places’ collection of hotels, inns and restaurants. The…

  • Ribblesdale Park, Gisburn

    Luxury Glamping at Gisburne Park, Lancashire

    Overview: The Ribble Valley is an idyllic part of the north of England located in north east Lancashire and covering 212 sq. miles of the Forest of Bowland, an area of deep valleys and peat moorland. It’s an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty but despite booming tourism with ever increasing numbers of visitors, it’s still…

  • Gibbon Bridge Hotel

    The Gibbon Bridge Hotel, Chipping – A Review

    Location: The Gibbon Bridge Hotel & Restaurant is located on the edge of the charming village of Chipping in the picturesque Forest of Bowland, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty within the Ribble Valley, Lancashire.  The hotel is set in 23 acres of beautiful gardens in a secluded position yet is easily accessible to the…

  • Pendle Hill, Lancashire

    Exploring Clitheroe and the Ribble Valley

    Our stay at the gorgeous Gibbon Bridge Hotel in Chipping had been lovely and after packing up the car we didn’t hurry off but instead relaxed awhile on its sun drenched terrace.  Overlooking the beautiful landscaped gardens and rolling hills beyond, the setting is idyllic and the perfect place to unwind. Although we could have lazed there…

  • Browsholme Hall, Clitheroe

    Touring the Ribble Valley

    It was the perfect way to start our day, sitting in the conservatory of the Gibbon Bridge Hotel enjoying a cooked breakfast with views across the delightful landscaped gardens. Our first activity of the day was then just down the road at Leagrams Organic Dairy just outside the picturesque village of Chipping.  The entrance to…

  • Forest of Bowland

    A weekend in the Ribble Valley – Day 1

    The scenic Ribble Valley is one of northern England’s best kept secrets being an area of outstanding natural beauty noted for its rural landscape and welcoming hospitality.  How do we find this hidden gem, you may well ask?  Well, it’s quite easy actually as the Ribble Valley is located in Lancashire and accessible from the…

  • Blackpool Tower

    Blackpool – 12 top things to see and do

    Getting there: By car:  Blackpool has a motorway link direct to the centre of the resort – take the M6 to Junction 32 and the M55 will lead you there. By train: The town has 3 railway stations, Blackpool North, Blackpool South and Blackpool Pleasure Beach.  With direct services from London Euston, Birmingham, Glasgow and…

  • Stream at Wycoller Country Park

    Wycoller Country Park

    Wycoller Country Park is one of the prettiest country parks in Lancashire and is famous for its association with the Bronte sisters.  The village is located four miles east of Colne in the Borough of Pendle.  If arriving by car leave the M65 at Junction 14 and follow signs for Keighley and on reaching Laneshawbridge…

  • The Boulevard Hotel, Blackpool

    The Boulevard Hotel Blackpool

    Hotel Review Location The Boulevard Hotel is nestled between the beach and Pleasure Beach theme park on Blackpool’s Ocean Boulevard in South Shore.  It‘s a 25 minute gentle stroll along the seafront from North Pier, with trams running along the promenade at up to 15 minute intervals and taking only ten minutes.  The nearest tram…

  • North Pier, Blackpool

    Day 2. Blackpool highlights

    It was such a treat waking up in our stylish room at the beautiful Boulevard Hotel and drawing back the curtains to uninterrupted views of the Irish Sea.  Heading downstairs we were shown to a window table in the restaurant from where we could watch the waves lapping the beach whilst tucking into our delicious…

  • Blackpool Tower

    Day 1. Blackpool – the perfect winter break

    I’ve visited Blackpool several times but always either in the summer or during the autumn illuminations when the resort has been in full swing so I was curious to find out what it would be like to visit the resort out of season. Plans made, we were up at the crack of dawn (well, earlier…

  • The Inn at Whitewell, Clitheroe

    The Inn at Whitewell, Clitheroe

    Hotel Review Location The Inn at Whitewell is located in one of England’s 36 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) on the Duchy of Lancaster estate overlooking the River Hodder in the Forest of Bowland, Lancashire.  This charming 14th century inn is easily accessible from the M6 motorway with Lancaster being 18 miles to the…

  • Exterior of Brabins Shop and Cafe, Chipping

    Day 2. Ribble Valley highlights

    After a traditional Lancashire breakfast at The Inn at Whitewell we were soon ready to see more of the beautiful Ribble Valley.  Our first stop of the day was just up the road in the charming small village of Chipping.  Narrow winding country lanes lead into the village centre, its attractive stone cottages bedecked with…

  • View towards Pendle Hill

    Day 1. A Ribble Valley short break

    The Ribble Valley is an idyllic part of the north of England located in north east Lancashire and covering 212 sq. miles of the Forest of Bowland, an area of deep valleys and peat moorland.  It’s an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty but despite booming tourism with ever increasing numbers of visitors, it’s still a…

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