Things to do in Lancashire, events & lifestyle

Anton du Beke and Erin Boag perform at the Liverpool Philharmonic

10 Easter Days Out in Lancashire and the Lake District

Tue, 08:00

Amelia and Amanda Dowson at Lambing Live, Mrs Dowson’s Farm

Lancashire Life picks ten events that might keep you and the family entertained over the Easter holidays

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Ad Feature An Easter Egg-stravaganza ‘Down on the Farm’ …

Friday, March 15, 2019

Hidden on the borders of North Yorkshire & Lancashire’s countryside, there is something for everyone at Thornton Hall Country Park this Easter!

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A Design Lineage: The Rusland Movement at Blackwell exhibition

Thursday, March 7, 2019 Paul Mackenzie

Sourcing wood for Rusland Movement furniture

The spirit of the Arts and Crafts Movement is alive and well in the Lake District, as Paul Mackenzie reports

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Poet Roger McGough to headline Lancaster’s 40th literary festival

Tuesday, March 5, 2019 Paul Mackenzie

Roger McGough with the band Little Machine

2019 Litfest will run from March 8-31

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Restaurant review - Sunset by Australasia, Manchester

Yesterday, 12:50 Janet Reeder

Don’t wait for the summer to enjoy the Asian flavours of Sunset by Australasia in Manchester’s Spinningfields.

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Asian Food Spinningfields

Food review - The Lowry Hotel, Salford

Thursday, January 31, 2019 Louise Taylor

It’s named after the artist synonymous with industrial Salford, but The Lowry Hotel has always been emblematic of the area’s cosmopolitan reinvention.

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Restaurant review - The Ivy Spinningfields, Manchester

Tuesday, January 8, 2019 Louise Allen-Taylor

On the menu at The Ivy: Chocolate Bomb dessert. Photo by Milo Brown

It’s the biggest restaurant to open in the UK this year - the northern outpost of a brand synonymous with celebrity. We try out Manchester’s version of The Ivy

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Spinningfields Manchester Restaurants United Kingdom

Behind the scenes at Manchester’s legendary Afflecks Palace

Yesterday, 00:00 Words: Janet Reeder - Photos: Paul Morgans

Shopping at Manchester’s famous emporium isn’t just for students, tourists and celebs like Lady Gaga.

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Manchester Manchester

The Bay - new TV crime drama set in Morecambe

Wed, 00:00 Susan Griffin

Detective Sergeant Lisa Armstrong in The Bay (c) Tall Story Pictures/Ben Blackall

Morecambe is the setting for a gritty crime drama which has viewers on the edge of their seats, as Susan Griffin reports

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Morecambe

The Eden Project North comes to Morecambe

Tue, 08:41 Paul Mackenzie

An artist's impression of the giant glass mussel shells on Morecambe seafront. Grimshaw Architects

Morecambe prepares to flex its mussels as a major environmental tourist attraction, as Paul Mackenzie reports.

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Morecambe

Why people love to visit Arnside and Silverdale

Mon, 00:00 Mike Smith

Boats on the beach at Arnside Sailing Club's 2018 Try Sailing Day

There’s plenty to admire in the neighbouring villages of Arnside and Silverdale, as Mike Glover reports.

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Arnside Silverdale

Why Chorley is enjoying an influx of investment and visitors

Monday, March 11, 2019 Words: Emma Mayoh - Photography: John Cocks

The new Market Walk development will include a six screen cinema and M&S Foodhall

With big investment plans, a loyal community and busy events scene, people in Chorley are creating a winning formula.

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Chorley

Bolton-based Caledonian Quilting celebrates its 50th year

Friday, March 15, 2019 Words: Janet Watson - Photography: Chris Foster

The team - Dave Sharrock, Robert Tomlinson, Vicky Gillibrand, Heather Green, Jane Williamson, Martin Burgoyne, Jamie Jackson and Sandra Whittaker

From the new Terminator film to the Silk Road to Baku, one Lancashire business is proving that our textile industry is alive and well

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Ad Feature Rufford’s Country Store on Spring and Summer Countrywear style

Tuesday, February 26, 2019

Countrywear doesn't always have to be traditional, you can go for a more modern look

Compiling your countrywear wardrobe should combine comfort, practicality and style.

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Stringers department store in Lytham goes from strength to strength

Thursday, February 7, 2019 Words: Roger Borrell - PhotoGRAPHY: John Cocks

The department store with its new office extension

Independent department stores are becoming an endangered species but a couple from Lytham has managed to buck the trend.

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Garstang has always been a somewhat of a crossroads with the River Wyre, the Lancaster Canal and the M6 and the A6 passing close by here. It’s also a convenient base to explore some fine local routes on foot.

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Lancashire walk - Whalley Heritage Trail

Wednesday, March 13, 2019 John Lenehan

The Whalley Viaduct took seven million bricks to construct

John Lenehan leaves his map at home and takes us on a guided walk around the historic village of Whalley

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6 great reservoir walks in Lancashire

Tuesday, February 26, 2019

Many of the county’s reservoirs were created to supply water to the growing populations of towns and to the industrial heartlands, but they also provide a perfect backdrop to a walk in the countryside.

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Lancashire walk - Hurst Green and Stonyhurst College

Wednesday, February 13, 2019 John Lenehan

John Lenehan take us on a riverside route that passes one of Lancashire’s most historic buildings

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Stonyhurst

10 great dog walks in the Lake District and Cumbria

Tuesday, February 12, 2019

Two Lakeland terriors enjoying the forest walks and views of Grizedale forest. North West England FD

Our canine correspondent shares ten of his favourite places to go for walkies

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Lake District Walks Dogs

Arts

Artist profile - Sukie Woodhouse

00:00 Barbara Waite

Fish hooks and lumps of plastic feature in her Breaking Wave picture

Rubbish washed up on a beach set Lytham St Annes artist Sukie Woodhouse in a new and thought-provoking direction. Barbara Waite reports

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Theatre review - Heart of Darkness, Dukes Lancaster

Yesterday, 09:14 David Upton

Keicha Greenidge as Marlow in Heart of Darkness at the Dukes in Lancaster

A multi-media interpretation of Joseph Conrad’s most famous work.

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Theatre review - My Mother Said I Never Should, Blackburn Empire Theatre

Yesterday, 09:13 Rob Gemmell

My Mother Said I Never Should – Blackburn Drama Club – Blackburn Empire Theatre

Blackburn Drama Club’s production on Charlotte Keatley’s play tat centres around women.

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Jamie Cullum: ‘The left-field jazz that you can dance and lose yourself to is what Cheltenham does well’

Thursday, March 14, 2019 Katie Jarvis

Jamie Cullum will be showcasing songs from his new album at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival – and it’s going to be emotional

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Theatre review - Abigail’s Party, Grand Theatre, Blackpool

Tuesday, March 12, 2019 David Upton

Jodie Prenger as Beverly in Abigail’s Party

Blackpool-born Jodie Prenger returns to her hometown for the starring role in Mike Leigh’s iconic comedy.

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Theatre Reviews

Theatre review - Heart of Darkness, Dukes Lancaster

Yesterday, 09:14 David Upton

A multi-media interpretation of Joseph Conrad’s most famous work.

Read Full Story »

Theatre review - My Mother Said I Never Should, Blackburn Empire Theatre

Yesterday, 09:13 Rob Gemmell

Blackburn Drama Club’s production on Charlotte Keatley’s play tat centres around women.

Read Full Story »

Theatre review - Abigail’s Party, Grand Theatre, Blackpool

Tuesday, March 12, 2019 David Upton

Blackpool-born Jodie Prenger returns to her hometown for the starring role in Mike Leigh’s iconic comedy.

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The Grade II listed Grand Theatre in Blackpool raises funds for vital renovation

Wednesday, February 27, 2019 David Upton

Celebrating the launch of Blackpool's Grand Theatre 125th anniversary appeal (Picture: Martin Bostock)

A famous seaside celebrity celebrates their 125th birthday this year . . . by buying themselves a new ‘hat’. David Upton explains.

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Theatre review - Glory, Dukes Theatre, Lancaster

Monday, February 25, 2019 David Upton

Joshua Lyster, Jamie Smelt, Josh Hart and Ali Azhar in Glory at the Dukes, Lancaster

A black ex-squaddie, a Syrian asylum seeker, and the son of a Chinese takeaway owner walk into a wrestling club . . .

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Photography

Join In Enter the 2019 Lancashire Life photography competition

Friday, January 25, 2019

Last year�s winning shot was taken by Bernard Noblett of Chorley

Start snapping for our annual photography competition in association with Wilkinson Cameras

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photography

Photographer profile - Alastair Lee

Monday, November 26, 2018 Roger Borrell

Philippe Handford, lead artist of the Pendle Sculpture Trail, with his stunning piece ‘Reconnected 2’ in Aitken Wood.

Multi award-winning photographer Alastair Lee has been back to the place he loves the best and produced another stunning collection of Pendle landscapes. He spoke to Roger Borrell

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The 2018 Lancashire Life photography competition - winners revealed

Tuesday, November 20, 2018

This shot of hares at Mawdesley won the 2018 Lancashire Life readers' photography competition

We reveal the winners of our photography competition sponsored by Wilkinson Cameras

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photography

Competitions

Win Win a gin experience for two in Harrogate

Yesterday, 13:14

Join the experts at Slingsby and concoct your own gin with a memorable overnight stay for two

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Win Win a two night break at the Waterhead Hotel in the Lake District

Yesterday, 13:12

Situated on the shores of Windermere and moments away from charming Ambleside, this hotel has everything you need for a memorable stay.

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Win a £1,000 interiors makeover with ILIV

Tue, 00:00

Lancashire-based ILIV’s inspiring new fabric collections could transform your home with a mix of contemporary and traditional designs.

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Food & Drink

Restaurant review - Sunset by Australasia, Manchester

Yesterday, 12:50 Janet Reeder

Don’t wait for the summer to enjoy the Asian flavours of Sunset by Australasia in Manchester’s Spinningfields.

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Asian Food Spinningfields

Lisa Goodwin-Allen on her plans for the future of Northcote’s menu

Yesterday, 13:00 Roger Borrell

Lisa has grown and developed as has Northcote

Lisa Goodwin-Allen recently celebrated her first year as executive chef at Northcote with a stunning masterclass at the Obsession food festival. She spoke to Roger Borrell

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Northcote

Chris Neve - Lancashire’s famous fish merchant

Yesterday, 12:59

Fish man Chris Neve at The Farmers Arms, Great Eccleston

Chris Neve is so passionate about fish that he once woke his wife in the middle of the night to eulogise about his catch

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Seafood Pub Co

Win Win a two night break at the Waterhead Hotel in the Lake District

Yesterday, 13:12

Situated on the shores of Windermere and moments away from charming Ambleside, this hotel has everything you need for a memorable stay.

Read Full Story »

Events

10 Easter Days Out in Lancashire and the Lake District

Tue, 08:00

Lancashire Life picks ten events that might keep you and the family entertained over the Easter holidays

Read Full Story »

Ad Feature An Easter Egg-stravaganza ‘Down on the Farm’ …

Friday, March 15, 2019

Hidden on the borders of North Yorkshire & Lancashire’s countryside, there is something for everyone at Thornton Hall Country Park this Easter!

Read Full Story »

A Design Lineage: The Rusland Movement at Blackwell exhibition

Thursday, March 7, 2019 Paul Mackenzie

The spirit of the Arts and Crafts Movement is alive and well in the Lake District, as Paul Mackenzie reports

Read Full Story »

Poet Roger McGough to headline Lancaster’s 40th literary festival

Tuesday, March 5, 2019 Paul Mackenzie

2019 Litfest will run from March 8-31

Read Full Story »

People

Chris Neve - Lancashire’s famous fish merchant

Yesterday, 12:59

Chris Neve is so passionate about fish that he once woke his wife in the middle of the night to eulogise about his catch

Read Full Story »

Seafood Pub Co

My favourite place - Mark Gilligan

Yesterday, 00:00

Mark's shot of the Esk Valley - from sheep 'manicured' fields to magnificent mountainous terrain

Salford-born Mark Gilligan is award-winning photographer whose work in the Lake District has brought international acclaim.

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Ad Feature Raymond James Investment Services, proud to be in the heart of your community

Wed, 00:00

At Raymond James Ribble Valley, we provide bespoke financial planning and investment management for our clients, who are largely based throughout Lancashire. We have a team of 17 people working in specialist roles, based in Longridge, to help our clients meet their financial objectives and life goals.

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Applications open for the Lancashire Family Business Awards

Mon, 00:00

The 2019 awards team Sue Howorth, director of the Family Business Network, Janett Walker and Sophie Newton

Exciting new awards will give Lancashire’s family-run businesses the chance to step into the spotlight.

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Jamie Cullum: ‘The left-field jazz that you can dance and lose yourself to is what Cheltenham does well’

Thursday, March 14, 2019 Katie Jarvis

Jamie Cullum will be showcasing songs from his new album at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival – and it’s going to be emotional

Read Full Story »

Homes & Gardens

Ad Feature Can a property finder help you find your dream home?

Thursday, March 14, 2019 Alisha Davis

Grays Property Finders will help you negotiate the best purchase price

Take the time and hassle out of finding your ideal property with Grays Property Finder

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Ad Feature Fellside - a unique living opportunity in the village of Chipping

Wednesday, March 6, 2019

A brand new development of homes in the highly desirable location of the Ribble Valley combines beautiful design and cutting edge technology for homebuyers in the region.

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