Lancashire is full of castles, halls and old buildings with centuries of history behind them, so you can choose somewhere that matches what you enjoy most – dramatic ruins, grand houses, spooky tales or peaceful gardens. This date is all about stories, scenery and stepping back in time together.
Pick a historic place within a comfortable drive and give yourselves a few unrushed hours there. Wander through the rooms or grounds, read a few of the stories, and imagine the people who lived there before you. Finish with a drink or slice of cake if there’s a café, or a short walk nearby to talk about your favourite bits.
Castles and towers
If you like something a little dramatic, start with a castle or tower on a hill.
Lancaster Castle sits above the city and has almost 1,000 years of history, from Roman forts to the Pendle witch trials and one of the oldest working courtrooms in Britain.
Clitheroe Castle looks out over the Ribble Valley; you can walk up to the keep for big views and visit the small museum in the Steward’s House to learn more about the area.
Use these as inspiration and look for a castle, tower or fortified ruin that catches your eye on the map.
Historic halls and stately homes
If you prefer panelled rooms, portraits and gardens, choose a hall or country house.
Hoghton Tower near Preston is a fortified manor on a hilltop with guided tours, gardens and plenty of stories, including the famous “Sir Loin” legend.
Rufford Old Hall is a National Trust Tudor house near Ormskirk, with a great hall, timber framing and a colourful garden to wander through.
Gawthorpe Hall near Burnley is an Elizabethan mansion with landscaped gardens and woodland, often described as an “Elizabethan gem” in the heart of industrial Lancashire.
There are several others across the county, so you can pick whichever is closest or most appealing to you.
Heritage centres and stories of place
Not every historic site is a big house; some are smaller museums and heritage centres that tell the story of a particular place or event.
Sites like Pendle Heritage Centre bring together old buildings, gardens and exhibitions about local history and folklore, especially around the Pendle witches and the surrounding villages.
If you like a good story, look for somewhere with a guided tour, audio trail or well-signed displays and let yourselves get absorbed.
This card could become whatever you want it to be – half day exploring a castle and then pottering around a nearby market town, maybe a slow wander through a historic hall and its gardens, followed by tea and cake; or a trip to a smaller heritage centre that ties into something you are interested in, like textiles, folklore or the local landscape.
You do not need to tick everything off or remember all the facts. The aim is to share the experience of somewhere old and interesting, enjoy the surroundings and maybe learn one or two stories you will still be talking about on the way home.mething a bit different from your usual supermarket shop and enjoy choosing it all together.
Lucy loves…
“Lancaster castle is fun to explore and is a grade 1 listed building on the site of three successive Roman Forts”
From a Lancashire Lass tips: Lucy Baxter is the host of the From a Lancashire Lass podcast that shares stories from Lancashire businesses and inspirational people. The aim of the podcast is to support businesses, whilst supporting Lancashire and celebrating the county’s heritage. Lucy is also a broadcast journalist who works on a range of national and international TV and radio programmes.
