Region
Lancashire
Base in Lancaster or Preston for 2 nights; do Blackpool as a day-trip unless you want the pier and lights at night.
More: share, save offline, report a correction
More
Key facts · United Kingdom
- Best months
- Apr–May, Oct
- Currency
- Pound sterling (GBP, £)
- Language
- English
- Plugs
- G · 230 V
- Time zone
- GMT, BST from late March to late October
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
- United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
- United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.
Lancashire is a county of contrasts: the seaside resort of Blackpool on the coast, the historic city of Lancaster in the north, and the industrial mill towns of the south and east. The moors and the Forest of Bowland sit between them. Two nights in one base covers the highlights; a car helps for the rural parts.
Where to sleep
Sleep base
Plan the nights
How to split the nights, day-trips and what to do with your bags
Open Plan the nightsClose Plan the nights3 partsNights · Day-trips · Bags
Night sequences
- 2 nights
- Lancaster 2, Blackpool as a day-trip
- 3 nights
- Lancaster 2 + Preston 1, or add a night in the Ribble Valley
- Blackpool is very busy on summer weekends and during the illuminations (autumn); book beds ahead.
- Some rural areas have limited evening bus services; a car or taxi is safer for late returns.
Day-trips door to door
| To | From | Door-to-door p50 | Last return | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackpool | Preston | 45 min | unknown | Trains run late in summer; check the last service if staying for the illuminations. |
| Clitheroe | Preston | 60 min | unknown | Ribble Valley walks; a car gives more options. |
| Burnley | Preston | 55 min | unknown | Mill museums and canal towpaths. |
Bags between cities
Luggage storage is available at major stations; check before relying on it.
When to go
Months and weather
Open When to goClose When to go2 partsSeasons · Climate
Seasons at a glance
Pick a month to see where to go.
Show all 12 months, country by countryHide the 12-month table
Computed from each country’s own data; hover a country name for the source. Advisory countries are left out.
Climate strip
| Zone | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LancashireCounty-wide | cool | cool | ok | best | best | ok | ok | ok | ok | best | cool | cool |
- Lancashire
- Rain is common year-round; the coast is windier than inland. Summer (June–August) is mild, 18–22 °C (64–72 °F). Winter can be cold and wet, with occasional snow on the moors.Rain is common year-round; the coast is windier than inland. Summer (June–August) is mild, 64–72 °F (18–22 °C). Winter can be cold and wet, with occasional snow on the moors.
May to September is the most reliable window; the coast is busiest in July and August.
Getting in and passes
Arrival times and regional passes
Open Getting in and passesClose Getting in and passes2 partsGet in · Passes
Get in
| From | To | How | p50 | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester Airport | Preston / Lancaster | Direct train | ~50 min to Preston, ~1 h 10 to Lancaster | Frequent services; check times as they vary by operator. |
| London Euston | Preston / Lancaster | Avanti West Coast or TransPennine Express | ~2 h 10 to Preston, ~2 h 40 to Lancaster | Advance tickets are much cheaper; book ahead. |
| Liverpool | Preston | Train via Wigan or direct | ~1 h | Check connections; some routes require a change. |
| Manchester | Preston / Blackburn / Burnley | Train or M61/M65 by car | ~40 min to Preston by train | The M62 crosses the Pennines to Yorkshire. |
Regional passes
Advance rail tickets
buyBook ahead for London–Lancashire; walk-up fares are much higher.
Day tickets (local buses)
checkUseful if doing multiple bus trips in a day; check the operator's current price.
Eat and move on
Regional food and where to go next
Open Eat and move onClose Eat and move on2 partsFood · Go next
Regional food
| Dish | Where | Timing / trap |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire hotpot | County-wide, especially in pubs | A lamb-based stew; a traditional pub dish. |
| Black pudding | Bury and across the county | Often served at breakfast or in a fry-up. |
| Lancashire cheese | Shops and markets | Look for 'tasty', 'crumbly' or 'creamy'; good for toast. |
| Eccles cakes and Chorley cakes | Bakeries | Sweet pastries; Chorley cakes are flatter and often served warm. |
| Pies | Pubs and bakeries | A wide variety; a local staple. |
Go next
North West England
plannedRegional hub
Explore the wider region.
Liverpool
Train ~1 h from Preston
Merseyside, separate from Lancashire since 1974.
Manchester
plannedTrain ~40 min from Preston
Greater Manchester; a major city break.
Yorkshire
plannedTrain or M62
The scenic dales and historic towns.
Cumbria and the Lake District
plannedTrain north from Lancaster
The Lakes are about an hour from Lancaster by train.
Planning aids
Built from this guide's own data
Open Planning aidsClose Planning aids2 partsIn numbers · Going in…
Region in numbers
- Where to sleep
- 2 bases
- Day trips
- 3, 45 min to 1 h
- Nights suggested
- 2–3 nights
- Ways in
- 4 listed
- Best months
- Apr, May, Oct
Going in…
Pick a month for the weather in each zone of the region, plus the country-wide rating and holidays.
Pick a month.
Deep dive
Photos, reading and every source
Open Deep diveClose Deep dive1 partSources
Sources
- officialVisit Lancashire
- officialLancashire County Council
- officialNational Rail
- officialMet Office
- secondaryWikivoyage: Lancashire, revision 5308890 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Lancashire
Loading…
Was this useful?