When the clocks “fall back” it's a sure sign that winter is nearly upon us, but don't batten down those hatches just yet; you can still have some fantastic adventures during the cosy season. With many of Lancashire's pubs serving delicious food by roaring log fires, the perfect spot after a long walk in our ever-changing landscape; its hotels, holiday parks and self-catering accommodation providing every comfort for a wintry escape; and its world-class attractions gearing up for some festive fun - it's a wonderful time to explore everything Lancashire has to offer.

Whether you are looking for a break that the whole family can enjoy, a place to get together with friends during the festive season, a way to escape the stress of the holidays or the ideal getaway location to make the most of the night sky - you will find it all here.

To help with your quest, here are six great Lancashire getaways which are ideal for this time of the year.  

Surround yourself with stars in the Forest of Bowland

Did you know that winter is the best time of year to really appreciate Lancashire's starry skies? The longer nights allow for more opportunities to view constellations, and the colder air allows for better visibility. 2024 has been a bumper year for witnessing the Northern Lights too, due to the biggest geomagnetic storm since 2003, and there have been multiple reports of the Aurora gracing the skies in Lancashire. Keep an eye on Lancaster University's Aurora Watch during your visit and you never know, you might spot them too. The Forest of Bowland's Dark Skies Festival takes place annually in February too, giving you the perfect opportunity to explore the night skies with guides from the area.

The best spots for stargazing include remote locations in the Forest of Bowland's designated Dark Skies areas, including Beacon Fell Country Park, Gisburn Forest Hub, Slaidburn Village Car Park and the Crook o' Lune Picnic Site. There are also great spots throughout the Trough of Bowland due to its low level of light pollution.

You'll find fantastic dark sky-friendly accommodation providers in the area including Laytham's Holiday Retreats; they offer four beautiful self-catering cottages that come complete with open fires or log burners to keep you warm and sleep from two to eight people. Some of the options come with hot tubs, meaning you can stargaze directly from the tub!

Of course, the area is also full of amazing things to do during the day too. Just a selection of the great attractions nearby will have you making your own gin at Goosnargh Gin School, enjoying a ramble or cycle around Gisburn Forest and Stocks Reservoir, exploring Clitheroe Castle or shopping at Holden Clough Nurseries.

The Forest of Bowland is home to a huge range of great eateries too, so keeping well-fed won't be a problem. You will find several cosy pubs in the area such as the Inn at Whitewell, with its fascinating history and its roaring open fires, or The Rum Fox which has recently been named on the Good Food Guide's Top 100 Restaurants list, and the Guide named them as one of the cosiest pubs in Britian for 2024. The brand new Oh! Pizza in Longridge is an ideal stop off point too if you're on your way to Beacon Fell for a stargaze, and with their pizzas lovingly created by BBC MasterChef The Professionals finalist Matt Willdigg – the night stars won't be the only star you may spot!

Celebrate the festive season in the brightest seaside resort

How many times did you hear the phase “It's like Blackpool Illuminations in here!” when you were younger and had left the lights on all round the house? Well, winter is the best time to really see those illuminations shine. With an extended season once again, Blackpool's world-renowned light show will be lighting up our lives through to 5th Jan 2025 and the run up to Christmas is an extra special time to visit.

In addition to the Illuminations, Blackpool offers Christmas by the Sea from 15th November up until the last night of the lights. This unique village provides you with a free ice rink to skate on, a whole host of fairground rides and entertainment to enjoy, as well as places to grab something delicious to eat. With simulated snowfall, snow slide, Christmas chalets and more, it's sure to get you in the mood to celebrate.

Of course, Blackpool is home to a wide and varied medley of attractions too; and each and every one will have great events and shows full of Christmas spirit. Why not book into the panto at the Grand Theatre, for traditional family fun? Or head along to the Winter Gardens to enjoy Christmas by Candlelight or the Naughty 90's Xmas Party! Pleasure Beach Resort is home to a fabulous Grotto where Santa will take note of your Christmas gift wishes and the place to see a Fairytale on Ice in the arena on site! Check out the fantastic Pick'n'Mix offer from Merlin, allowing you to access eight great attractions, including The Blackpool Tower in its 130th anniversary year, in a variety of packages at prices to suit your budget.

If a break from Blackpool's winter wonderland appeals, you can always warm up by stopping by Sandcastle Water Park where the temperature is a tropical 84 degrees all year-round and watery fun and exciting waterslides await.

Make a whole weekend of it with a stay at the new Holiday Inn Blackpool which can be found by Blackpool North Train Station and comes complete with its own food offering and a Marco Pierre White Group Marco's New York Italian. Alternatively, nearby you can find Newton Hall Holiday Park with apartments and caravan providing a great self-catering option. Guests can also enjoy the facilities on site including the new Walterz Entertainment Centre.

Give your four-legged friends the holiday they deserve

Getting out and about with man's best friend is meditative and offers so many health benefits to both of you, though many people struggle for motivation to go on longer walks in the wet or cold weather.

Give yourself an additional push this winter by exploring new places with your pooch. Going somewhere new and exciting will help get you out and about even if the weather isn't the best; just wrap up and go! We love how dog-friendly the north of the county is, with the fabulous Tewitfield Marina nestled on the Lancaster Canal offering paw-fect dog-friendly getaway accommodation. Each guest booked with a dog receives a goody bag when they stay at the Marina. Their goody bag will include poo bags, dog biscuits, and a tennis ball. The team also provide your four-legged friend with a comfy dog bed, blanket and dog bowl. There are so many local walks up and down the canal, on the beaches of Morecambe Bay and it lies within easy reach of the Arnside and Silverdale and Forest of Bowland National Landscapes. A walk-up Warton Crag with a stop off for a drink at the Old School Brewery is a must too.

Nearby the city of Lancaster provides so many great opportunities to shop for those all-important Christmas gifts, with a number of great independent stores happy to welcome you and your pooch. Refuel at one of Atkinsons Coffee Roasters' cafes and stop by their store to pick up a great selection of local products, enter the Assembly Rooms Emporium for new and second-hand clothing, gifts, books and more. There are a number of fantastic dog-friendly pubs and restaurants to enjoy in the evening with Quite Simply French fine dining restaurant even offering one dog-friendly table and The Borough pub providing a great selection of locally sourced food and drink. Christmas time sees the historic Dalton Square transform into a huge ice rink with big wheel where you can take in the view over the beautiful city too for Lancaster on Ice, and while dogs aren't allowed on the ice – the tipi bar next door is dog-friendly and an ideal place to refresh and enjoy the Christmas spirit.

Enjoy a family getaway suitable for everyone

Finding a holiday with something for everyone involves some work at the best of times, but it can become harder if your family has additional needs and requirements.

Thankfully you can find a range of great inclusive properties and attractions in Lancashire that provide peace of mind when it comes to getting away – that allow you to take the time to enjoy the festive season without any additional worry.

The borough of Wyre sits between Lancashire's two cities, Preston and Lancaster, and offers the ideal mix of countryside and coast whilst being very accessible from major motorways and train stations. Within one small area you will find two accommodation providers who specialise in providing accessible holiday properties: Estuary Riverside Chalets and Brickhouse Farm Cottages. Estuary riverside Chalets offers two self-catering chalets sleeping up to 6 people which are decked out in style with voice activated blinds, Alexa and smart TVs, fast Wi-Fi and more. The chalets are accessed via ramp and have wide doorways, and large enclosed decking areas overlooking the River Wyre perfect for taking in the tranquil air. Specialist mobility equipment is available for both properties and you will receive a call to go through exactly what is required for your party once you have booked.

Brickhouse Farm Cottages are a selection of 12 self-catering cottages surrounding a lake in the village of Hambleton. In addition to the luxurious cottages, which vary in size from 2 to 5 bedrooms, you will find a hydrotherapy pool, sensory room and fully accessible lakeside bistro. Each of the cottages come with level access throughout the cottage and the patios which overlook the lake and have been designed with access in mind with ceiling hoists throughout as standard. Nine of the cottages feature hot tubs on the patio – with hoists so everyone can enjoy a dip under the stars.

Nearby the Flower Bowl Entertainment centre is a one-stop shop for all things entertainment. Here you will find one of the only dedicated curling rinks in the country and the centre provides sessions for all abilities. You can also find mini pool, mini golf and bowling, all of which are accessible. There is a cinema with full access on the first row, and they also offer subtitled and autism friendly screenings.

With its central location the area is perfect to use as a base to explore wider Lancashire too, why not visit Blackpool for the Illuminations and the accessible Sandcastle Water Park or head to Lancaster on Ice which is accessible for wheelchair users to enjoy too? Check out local events too such as the Garstang Santa Dash on 8th December to put you in a festive mood!

Go on a foodie adventure in Pendle

Calling all foodie lovers! We have an idyllic countryside adventure that you must embark on this Christmas. Head to the Fence Gate Lodge, a beautifully extended Grade II Listed building nestled at the foot of the infamous Pendle Hill. The luxury lodges provide the utmost comfort for your stay, with classic and superior rooms, junior suites, apartments and a master suite to choose from. With rooms on a bed and breakfast rate, you can enjoy a full English breakfast complete with twice national sausage champion Kevin Berkin's Cumberland sausage. The site is home to the Fence Gate Inn too, an award-winning pub which offers a superb selection of food with locally sourced ingredients and a huge range of drinks.

Nearby foodies will also find the White Swan at Fence, a Michelin Starred Gastro Pub which offers a menu which changes daily based on the ingredients available locally and a more relaxed experience for those looking for incredible food in a casual and friendly pub setting. Head chef Tom Parker trained at the nearby Northcote, and as a local lad, he loves to showcase Lancashire produce, with each plate a celebration of the season's finest ingredients available. The daily desserts and selection of cheeses will not disappoint either.

Just up the road in Gisburn you will also find the charming La Locanda restaurant. Inside this beautiful, white-washed cottage chef Maurizio Bocchi creates authentic Italian food that brings diners back time and again. His wife Cinzia offers a friendly welcome to each and every guest taking them through the menu and drinks on offer too. In addition to the award-winning restaurant though, Maurizio and Cinzia also offer the chance to "learn to cook Italian" in their cookery courses. These immersive experiences for individuals or small groups include a two-hour session where you will learn to bake bread or make pasta or risotto. Each session includes all ingredients, a La Locanda apron and recipe cards to take home, as well as lunch with a glass of wine or soft drink.

If you want to explore the countryside to work off those foodie delights the area is ideal, you can walk in the footsteps of the Bronte Sisters and discover Wycoller Hall – thought to be the inspiration of Ferndean Manor in Charlotte Bronte's novel Jane Eyre. Or meet the challenge of Pendle Hill which offers incredible views across the county but is not for the faint-hearted.

Getting away to relax ahead of the stresses of Christmas, or to recover after it? The Inside Spa in Nelson offers an array of therapeutic and rejuvenating face and body treatments to help leave you feeling truly refreshed. The two-hour Spa Wellness Experience is a must, or you can create your own pamper day with a range of treatments suited to meet your needs.

Grab a breath of fresh air for the New Year

New Year is a time for a fresh start for many, and what better way to celebrate than with a break in Lancashire's beautiful countryside?

Park Hall Hotel & Spa offers a peaceful retreat in the heart of the countryside just minutes away from the border of Lancashire and Greater Manchester. Recently refurbished the Grade II listed hotel offers everything from standard rooms to balcony and superior suites. The brand-new spa facilities include health club, swimming pool, sauna, steam room and fitness studio. There are also brand-new beauty and treatment rooms offering a sanctuary for health, wellbeing and personal pampering during your stay. Guests can dine in the fabulous Signature Grill House & Mallard Bar, which offers tastes from around the world; from steaks and burgers to curry and burritos, there is something to suit every palate.

Park hall is close to a number of fantastic walking routes including Rivington Pike, one of the best viewpoints in North West England. The historic tower sits at the top of Winter Hill, which is home to the beautiful Rivington Terraced Gardens, waterfalls and adjacent to incredible reservoirs; Anglezarke, Upper and Lower Rivington and Yarrow. It's a tradition for people to complete the 3-mile route up to the Pike on key dates including New Years Day to blow away those cobwebs for the 12 months ahead. There is even a Go Ape which is open on New Year's Eve and the weekend following New Year, if you want to get a bit more adventurous. The area is known as a “mini Lake District” so perfect for those looking for a little less crowded New Year destination and also features White Coppice peak, another hill and a fantastic walk close to Chorley. For those looking for a more level route Yarrow Valley Country Park in Chorley boasts a great play area and walk to a stunning waterfall, and Cuerden Valley Country Park is home to routes which will take you through trees, round lakes and even over a ford.

These are just six great examples of cosy weekend or midweek getaways you can enjoy in the run up to Christmas and throughout the winter. For more inspiration head to visitlancashire.com and pull together your own exciting itinerary.