22 May 2025
Whether you are looking for the perfect place to cool off, to try out a new location, or you want to savour some culture this summer, Lancashire has something for you.
The county offers a wide range of things to do, places to go and food and drink to enjoy, with historic cities, bustling seaside resorts and two National Landscapes all within its borders. From quintessentially English things to see and do such as canal boat cruises and Castle tours, to amazing meals at award-winning restaurants like the three Michelin Star Moor Hall to appreciate, you won't want to visit anywhere else.
Take a look at what's new in Lancashire this summer including the latest openings and events below. For more information about these events and lots of travel tips to help you plan your itinerary, head to visitlancashire.com.
Paddle and Play at WWT Martin Mere
Burscough, Lancashire
https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/martin-mere
This May half-term will see the play facilities at WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre become even better with a re-designed Canoe Safari Zone to create the Paddle and Play area. This area was already home to the popular canoe safaris, guided boat tours and den building activities, and now houses a fabulous new play area, accessible to all, with toddler swings and slides, inground trampolines, tunnels and more.
You will also find a water play zone perfect for cooling off in the sun, and there's even a rain curtain for the little ones to run through.
Visitors will still be able to enjoy setting sail on a canoe safari or boat tour, allowing them to view the wetland centre from the water, and spot wildlife meandering through the reedbed. There's a new picnic area right next to the water's edge too and a snack kiosk open throughout school holidays.
Prices: Admission to the centre applies. Prices start from £12.95
Where to stay: Riverside Holiday Park is right on the border of Lancashire and Merseyside, not far from the centre. It offers caravan and lodge holiday homes for hire, as well as glamping pods and touring for motorhomes.
What else to explore: West Lancashire has so much fun for the whole family. Nearby you'll also find Windmill Animal Farm where you'll find lots of new animal friends and a café serving 22 different flavours of ice cream, and West Lancashire Light Railway; an authentic steam railway experience! You aren't far from the market town of Ormskirk, and the rest of Lancashire too.
7th & 8th June
Samlesbury Hall Food & Drink Festival – NEW FOR 2025
Samlesbury, Nr Preston, Lancashire
https://samlesburyhall.co.uk/event/food-and-drink-festival/
Samlesbury Hall celebrates its 700-year anniversary this year and has so many great events to celebrate. The Samlesbury Hall Food and Drink festival takes place over a wonderful weekend in June, the festival will involve two days of thrilling entertainment, live music and a showcase of variety of Lancashire's finest food and drink producers, alongside craft stalls in the 700-year-old black and white Historic Hall!
Prices: Free
Where to stay: Make a weekend of it and stay on site at Samlesbury Hall in its beautiful Hamlet of Shepherd's Huts. These luxury cabins are ready with heating for the chillier months, beds for up to 4 guests and an en-suite bathroom. Outside you'll find fire pits perfect for toasting marshmallows. What's more the Hamlet is currently adding a wood-burning hot tub, sauna and cold water drop bucket to its offering, which will be ready in time for the summer months.
28th & 29th June
Carnforth Heritage Centre 1940s Weekend – NEW FOR 2025
Carnforth, Lancashire
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570214763403
2025 marks the 80th anniversary of iconic film Brief Encounter, which was filmed at Carnforth station in 1945. To celebrate the fabulous Carnforth Heritage Centre based at Carnforth Railway Station will be hosting a 1940s weekend to remember.
Brief Encounter is one of the all-time classic love story films, and starred Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard, and was directed by David Lean and is still loved to this day, often considered the most romantic movies of all time.
The event, based in and around the centre at the railway station, is set to feature live music, jive classes, military vehicles, Mr & Mrs Churchill impersonators, best dressed competitions, children's entertainment, a 1940s fairground, vintage stalls, model railways, bar and much more.
Price: Free
Where to stay: Make a weekend of it and stay in nearby Lancaster, with its bustling city centre, iconic castle and great places to eat and drink. The brand-new Domain Hotel offers an eco-friendly luxury accommodation offering, or head to The Borough Rooms for that quintessentially English pub stay.
The Harris Museum Reopening
Preston, Lancashire
Expected August 2025
Following a major four-year refurbishment, The Harris Museum and Art Gallery in Preston will finally reopen its doors at the beginning of August. Extensive works has been carried out to make The Harris more inviting, more spacious and more inclusive. Allowing for a better flow to exhibition spaces, more interactive opportunities and a stunning wedding venue for those looking to tie the knot.
The Museum will provide a great space to sit and savour delicious food made with local produce as well as learning spaces, workshop spaces and the city's library facility.
With four gallery spaces there is plenty to see, with dedicated exhibitions about the local area, the industrial heritage of Lancashire and two revolving galleries with an exciting calendar ahead. The opening exhibition in one of the Galleries is set to be very popular, with more news released at the end of May – so watch this space!
Where to stay: Just on the outskirts of the city Barton Manor Hotel has added 43 brand new hotel rooms to its offering. With a spa enhancement last year, you can also enjoy treatments and a dip in the pool over your weekend too.
Where to eat: After a day of learning, treat yourself to some food on the doorstep at restaurant Mowgli, situated in the beautiful and historic Miller Arcade.
Domain Boutique Hotel
Lancaster, Lancashire
May 2025
https://domainboutiquestays.com/
A brand-new boutique hotel has opened its doors in Lancaster just in time for the summer season. A renovated 300-year-old Georgian townhouse makes way for seven individually styled rooms ideal for a short break to the city. Drawing design inspiration from the city's most historic quarters, the hotel provides rooms that are stylish, and design led to feel better than home and a world away from more traditional hotel rooms.
Domain's rooms feature bold interiors, layered lighting, premium bathrooms and more. Unlike a traditional hotel room there is no front desk, or bar. Guests can check in digitally, are treated to a curated local city guide and are encouraged to support the surrounding businesses for food, drink and entertainment.
Each room is powered by renewable energy, and each booking supports ocean plastic clean-up through a partnership with Plastic Bank.
What to do: There is so much on offer in the city, from visiting the historic Lancaster Castle and Lancashire Police Museum or taking a tour with Lancaster Walks, Talks and Tours, to evening entertainment at The Dukes or Lancaster Grand Theatres. You can even catch a gig at the local indie venue, Kanteena.
Where to eat: Domain is surrounded by amazing eateries and brunch venues and some amazing pubs right on the doorstep to enjoy a bite to eat. Check out Toll House Inn for some great pub grub, or Quite Simply French for a formal dining experience.
Springbank Manor Hotel
Darwen, Lancashire
June 2025
https://www.springbankmanor.co.uk/
Dating back to 1898 this beautiful building was once a grand home with stunning views and a sweeping staircase, for many years it was known as the Whitehall Hotel, but having been brought under new management in 2024, the building is going back to its roots as Springbank Manor.
The name marks a new era for the hotel, having been lovingly brought back to its former glory through a period of refurbishment and restoration over the last six months.
The newly designed rooms take inspiration from the beautiful surroundings of the gardens and the views of the west Pennine moors. The new function room allows for parties of up to 200 guests and can be booked for weddings and other celebrations and on sire you'll find Cromwell's Eatery, a restaurant offering mouthwatering meals and drinks for you to enjoy.
The hotel also offers several events throughout the year, including drag queen bingo, yoga and bubbles, steak nights and is home to its own distillery where you can join a gin-making workshop. The hotel is dog friendly so your four-legged friend can stay with you too.
What to do: Nearby you can enjoy a walk up to Jubilee Tower in Darwen, offering an incredible viewpoint across Lancashire and beyond. Explore the nearby Hoghton Tower which you may recognise from TV following appearances on Peaky Blinders amongst others, or enjoy a bit of shopping at Oswaldtwistle Mills
