Venues
AO Arena
The AO Arena (formerly Manchester Arena) opened in 1995 and is the main live entertainment venue in the city. Events here range from rock and pop concerts to comedy, boxing and children’s shows.
M&S Bank Arena Liverpool
With a maximum capacity of 11,000 the M&S Bank Arena (formerly Echo Arena Liverpool) is the largest performance venue in Liverpool and one of the biggest in the country.
The Lowry
Located on the waterfront at Salford Quays, The Lowry plays host to a variety of performing and visual arts.
Attractions
Imperial War Museum North
The Imperial War Museum North is one of the most unconventional buildings in the UK.
Brockholes
Brockholes is a nature reserve near Preston in Lancashire. It is a relatively new attraction and is well worth a visit.
Beacon Fell Country Park
Beacon Fell Country Park lies at the southwestern corner of the Forest of Bowland, approximately four miles north of Goosnargh and eight miles north of Preston.
Fairy Glen
Fairy Glen is one of the most picturesque spots in North West England. Located just north of Appley Bridge village and a mile east of Parbold, it’s a fantastic place for exercise, dog walking, and families with children seeking outdoor adventure.
Pendle Hill
Pendle Hill is one of the most recognisable landmarks in Lancashire. Rising 557 metres above sea level, it gives its name to the borough of Pendle.
Southport Pleasureland
Southport Pleasureland is one of the North West’s top attractions. The theme park is based right on the seafront within easy walking distance of the town centre.
Williamson Park
Williamson Park is a wonderful 54 acre public park overlooking the city of Lancaster.
Rivington Pike
Rivington Pike, standing at 1,191 feet above sea level, is one of the most beloved high spots in Lancashire. If the weather is clear, visitors to the summit can see sights such as Blackpool Tower, Jodrell Bank, the Isle of Man, and the Lake District fells.
Walks
Pennington Flash Walk
Pennington Flash is a country park in Leigh. At its centre is a large lake (the ‘Flash’) created as a result of mining subsidence. It has a reputation for being one of the best birdwatching sites in North West England.
Turton and Entwistle Trail
It was a beautiful sunny day in April so my daughter and I decided to take a walk around Turton and Entwistle Reservoir at Edgworth, near Bolton.
Jumbles Reservoir Walk
Jumbles Country Park in Bolton opened in 1971 following the completion of Jumbles Reservoir. The walk around the reservoir takes just over an hour and is easy to follow and flat in most places.
Peel Tower Walk – Ramsbottom, Holcombe Moor, and Stubbins
This is a reasonably tough walk to Peel Tower (aka Peel Monument) and over Holcombe Moor. It starts and finishes in Ramsbottom and takes in the villages of Holcombe and Stubbins.
Rivington Pike Walk
Rivington Pike is one of the best viewpoints in North West England. There are numerous ways to reach it, but the route through Rivington Terraced Gardens on the western side is the most popular.
Walk to Darwen Tower from Sunnyhurst Wood
This walk didn’t go exactly as planned. My daughter and I wanted to walk to Darwen Tower and take in Sunnyhurst Wood on the way.
Beacon Fell Country Park Walk – Woodland Trail
The Woodland Trail is one of several marked walking routes at Beacon Fell Country Park in the Forest of Bowland.
Orrest Head Walk
The walk to Orrest Head is one of the most popular in the Lake District. It’s also one of the easiest to access.
Tolkien Trail
The Tolkien Trail is one of the most popular walks in Lancashire. The circular route is 6 miles long. It starts in Hurst Green, a small village in the Ribble Valley.