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| Lancashire
& Cheshire - A Region for All Seasons |
 Walks,
Wildlife & Waterways
Explore the region's
picturesque villages, river valleys and restored canals. Walk the sandstone
heights of the wooded Peckforton Hills, or retrace the footsteps of the
Pendle Witches from Pendle Hill through the Ribble Valley to Lancaster
Castle, on this unique heritage trail. Discover the wildlife secrets of
Delamere Forest in the heart of rural Cheshire and follow the Lune Valley
on a journey through Lancashire's most beautiful scenery, visiting the
ancient villages of Hornby, Wray and Arkholme.
 The
ancient conservation area of Forest of Bowland is unspoilt an untouched,
a landscape made up of heather moorland and steep sided river valleys.
A designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this is an important
breeding ground for upland birds and idyllic countryside for walking,
alongside the rivers Lune, Ribble and Hodder or to the summit of Beacon
Fell.
 Working
Mills and Stateley Homes
Historic properties,
including Lyme Park and Little Moreton Hall have provided setting for
TV's Far from the Madding Crowd, Pride & Prejudice and Moll Flanders.
Cheshire is famous for its gardens, such as Arley Hall, with its historic
herbaceous borders, Tatton Park (home of the North of England RHS Flower
Show) and Ness Botanic Gardens on the edge of the River Dee.
 Two
of Europe's largest garden centres, Stapeley Water Gardens and Bridgemere
Garden World are to be found in this region. Many of Lancashire's Victorian
cotton mills are now working museums or mill shops. Discover their history
at the award-winning Helmshore Textile Museum and see how the other half
lived at 17th century Gawthorpe Hall in Padiham. Visit the old market
town of Clitheroe, famous for its castle and museum and nearby Whalley
Abbey, founded in 1296 by Cistercian monks.
A Day in the City
The walled city of
Chester is famed for its superb Roman remains, black and white tudor architecture
and Norman Cathedral, Superb shops, architechture and museums are all
contained within its compact centre, making it ideal for a day trip and
easy to explore on foot. Lancaster is dominated by its mediaeval castle
and Benedictine Priory Church of St Mary and characterised by its history
as a Georgian trading port when it imported rum, spices and exotic woods
from the West Indies. Visit the Maritime Museum in the Old Customs House
on St George's Quay and the Judges Lodgings Museum to see the city's collection
of Gillow furniture.
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