County Spotlight: Lancashire

Pepperpot, overlooking Silverdale.

On November 27, 1295, King Edward I called the first elected officials from Lancashire to join him at Westminster to form the Model Parliament. And so, since 1996, people and businesses across the county mark the day as a celebration of all things Lancashire.

The red rose has been the official symbol of Lancashire since 1485.

Lancashire Day is observed in a number of ways, including the raising of glasses in a toast to Queen Elizabeth II, Duke of Lancaster. Events around the county commemorate local history, food and people. Notable Lancastrians include Nobel Prize-winning chemist Norman Haworth, TV personality Zoe Ball, Wallace and Gromit animator Nick Park, and comedian Victoria Wood.

Below are just a few options for what to eat and where to visit in the Red Rose County.

Lancashire Foods

Lancashire hotpot. ©National Trust Images/William Shaw

Lancashire played an important part in the Industrial Revolution and thousands flooded the area in search of work at the local mills and mines. As a result, many of the county’s dishes are firmly rooted in the working class tradition, providing warming, hearty meals and ensuring little is wasted. Some historians will also note an Irish influence, which makes sense given its proximity to its Gaelic neighbour. Any visitor to Lancashire will find a rich array of local dishes to try, including (but by no means limited to) the following:

Lancashire Hotpot: Without a doubt, the most famous dish from the region is the hotpot. It is traditionally made from neck of lamb or mutton mixed with onions and topped with sliced potatoes. Serve it with red cabbage.

Eccles and Chorley Cakes: These are both variations of the same type of cake – spiced currants baked within a flaky pastry shell. Eccles cakes are more widely known, while Chorley cakes are a little less sweet, flatter, and may be made with shortcrust instead of flaky pastry.

Butter Pie: Despite the name, this pie does contain a few more ingredients. Layers of potato and onions (and of course butter) are baked in a shortcrust pie shell. It is a cheap but filling dinner. As with hotpot, pickled red cabbage is the traditional accompaniment.

Parkin

Parkin: Lancashire and Yorkshire have a historic rivalry that has lasted long beyond the Wars of the Roses. One case in point: Parkin. Both counties lay claim to this rich, ginger cake which contains oatmeal and is very much a winter treat. Many people eat it on November 5 at Guy Fawkes celebrations.

Lancashire cheeses: Beacon Fell Traditional Lancashire Cheese is a semi-soft cow’s milk cheese that has Protected Designation of Origin, meaning that it can only be made using a certain method and within a certain area. This and several other Lancashire cheeses are typically eaten with Eccles cakes or Chorley cakes. The Lancashire Black Bomb, a mature cheese encased in black wax, hails from the village of Goosnargh. Another regional cheese to try is Garstang Blue.

Other local dishes you might want to try include corned beef hash, Lancashire foots (a type of meat pasty), and some fresh seafood from the Morecambe Bay.

Lancashire Countryside

Gawthorpe Hall. ©National Trust Images/Matthew Antrobus

The Lancashire countryside boasts some excellent spots for walking, from magnificent coastal scenery to rugged hills and historic homes. Rufford Hall is a rare example of surviving Tudor architecture, while Gawthorpe Hall — “an Elizabethan gem in the heart of industrial Lancashire” — is home to fine collections of both art and lace. Both houses also have extensive gardens and estates to enjoy.

Lancashire’s rivers and canals, once hives of industrial activity, now offer peaceful walking and cycling routes. Holcombe Moor, Warton Crag, and the Ribble Valley are just a few examples of where to get out and feel the bracing northern air.

The banks of the River Lune are a picturesque picnic spot.

Don’t forget the many villages and towns that provide great places to stop overnight, enjoy an afternoon tea, or as starting points for a walk. Kirkby Lonsdale borders Lancashire and the Yorkshire Dales and is a good place for a scenic ramble. Or pay a visit to Pendleton to learn about the famous witch trials.

Lancashire Coast

With 137 miles of coastline, Lancashire offers some excellent opportunities for exploring the Coast Path. But even if you don’t want to tackle the full length, there are some delightful beaches that are worth a visit.

For decades, Blackpool has been one of the country’s top holiday destinations. It is the quintessential British tourist resort, with amusements, entertainment galore, and the famous tower. But if Blackpool is not quite your style, Lancashire has plenty of other seaside options.

Nineteen miles to the north as the crow flies is Morecambe Bay, an estuary region where five rivers all flow into the Irish Sea. This stretch of the coast offers walking and cycle paths, open coastal vistas, and birdwatching opportunities. It’s also a popular spot for windsurfers and paragliders. The nearby village of Silverdale has been named one of “England’s Must-Visit Villages” while Heysham Head is a peaceful spot, now managed by the National Trust. According to local legend, St Patrick’s Chapel dates to when the Irish patron saint landed here. However, archaeological studies show that the chapel and surrounding stone graves were most likely constructed some 300 years later.

Just a few miles south of Blackpool, Lytham St. Annes is a much quieter, more genteel town than its popular neighbour. Once a tiny fishing hamlet, it grew to be a rather exclusive resort in the late 19th century. Continuing southwards, you come to Formby, now technically in Merseyside but historically part of Lancashire. Listed in the Domesday Book, its sands have long been rich in cockles and other shellfish.