CAROL discovers there's much more to Lancashire than Blackpool thanks to a trip arranged by Visit Lancashire.
IT still surprises me that at the age of 37 - and with two adventurous sons and a husband who has travelled the UK with his job - there are still so many places I have yet to visit.
So when the opportunity came up for one of us at havealovelytime to review Pennine Lancashire, which is only a little more than 100 miles away and one of the places I’ve never been, I jumped at the chance.
I knew very little about Lancashire before we went, apart from what I remember from my history lessons about the textile and cotton mills, cobbled streets and grey buildings back in the 1800s.
It was a joy to have my eyes opened to the fact that this narrow minded view was way off the mark. It won’t be the last time we visit. We discovered a stunningly beautiful part of the country, steeped in history, full of people proud of their heritage and also passionate about their locally produced foods.
I even loved the place names - Wigglesworth and Oswaldtwistle (pronounced ozzltwistle) were my favourites!
We visited Helmshore Mills Textile Museum in the Rossendale Valley which re-opened after a revamp last year.
I felt like I was back in one of the history books I’d read at school. From the waterwheel powering the stocks that thump the wet woollen cloth, to the first floor room filled with heavy spinning machines all lined up in rows, it was fascinating to experience this slice of living history and something I know my boys would love.
As the guide recounted more of the mill's history, and even turned on some of the machines so we could see them working, I felt like I’d gone back in time. Walking up the uneven stairs from one floor to another, I couldn’t help looking at the worn down steps and wondering how many people had been up and down them over the years and what stories they could tell. It’s a wonderful place and definitely somewhere I want to go back with the whole family.
Another highlight of our trip was a helicopter flight over the West Pennine Moors courtesy of www.penninehelis.co.uk.
Apart from the fact that I’ve never flown in a helicopter before, the views were absolutely breathtaking.
We took a 20 minute flight over Pendle Hill, famously known as the place where in 1612, ten men and women were hanged for the crime of witchcraft. The Pendle Witches, as they became known, were believed to have been responsible for the murder by witchcraft of 17 people in and around the Forest of Pendle and there are still many tales told. There’s even a local ale named after them called Pendle Witches Brew, and more recently Blond Witch, created at Moorhouse’s Brewery in Burnley.
We also flew over the Ribble Valley and the Forest of Bowland which is listed as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Stonyhurst College, a Catholic boarding school for boys - famous for past pupils such as Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of Sherlock Holmes, and peace campaigner and political activist Bruce Kent. Tolkien also spent much of his time writing the Lord of the Rings there while visiting his son.
The college is open to the public from mid-July to the end of August. Tours include the dormitories, library, chapels, classrooms and gardens.
Overall, the flight was amazing. It's an experience I was very apprehensive about - but after I would have loved to have gone again.
It's also something I’ve promised I will take my husband and children on one day. Pennine Helis charge from £39 per person and I think it’s a great thing to do maybe as a special treat for someone.
Our trip also included a ride on the East Lancashire Railway.We caught a steam train from Rawtenstall to Bury, stopping at Ramsbottom and taking us on a scenic journey of the Lancashire countryside.
The staff on the train were really enthusiastic and keen to tell passengers about the history of the trains and the plans for the future of the railway.
They’ve got a whole host of events throughout the year, from wartime weekends and theme days to teddy bear’s picnics and family fun days. On 1st and 2nd August they’ve got a Family Engines Big Day Out with engines from Thomas the Tank Engine and a whole host of things to keep the kids happy.
Adult tickets cost £12.50 and children aged 3-15 only £1!
There is so much to see and do in this part of the country and there are still a few places I want to tell you about in later posts. Including the Pennine Lancashire Panopticons Trail , Wycoller Country Park which is famous for its association with the Bronte sisters and Pendle Heritage Centre with its 18th century walled garden.
I bet your boys would absolutely love that train - I remember we always enjoyed Severn Valley but haven't been back for years. We've been to Blackpool a few times and to The Lakes, we've never thought of stopping off in this part of the world so it's good to see what's about - glad you loved the helicopter -can't see certain people braving that!
Posted by: Neil | 07/07/2009 at 09:21 AM
Looks great, have never been, I think we need to be a bit more adventurous - holidays with children are harder work than your press trip I think!
Posted by: Sally | 07/09/2009 at 08:05 PM
Yes definitely harder work but it's nice to see what's out there and you know what your kids will like - even when you are shown stuff without them.
Posted by: Linda | 07/09/2009 at 08:34 PM