It’s going to be one of the most exciting years to visit this transformed city. Mairead Mahon reveals some of the best events

Our guide to the best events in and around Lancashire during April

A fashion exhibition created by women from Burnley’s Asian community has been so successful it will now move to Gawthorpe Hall, home to an internationally renowned collection of textiles.

Dishoom on Bridge Street, Manchester combines the flavours and ambiance of the old Irani cafes with a huge helping of style. Janet Reeder

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

Hawkshead may look like it has stepped back in time, with traffic-free streets and period buildings around a cobbled square, but it’s home to some sharp, innovative business brains

It has taken decades to achieve, but it’s now full steam ahead for a major new Lakes attraction. Mike Glover reports.

This city-meets-country hotel has just celebrated its 20th anniversary with a revamp. Mairead Mahon finds out what makes it so popular

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

It’s time to let the feet do the talking as we speak to celebrity foot reader in Scarisbrick

Make a statement on your special day with these timeless pieces from Whittles Jewellers

John Lenehan makes a long overdue return to a part of Lancashire with some beautiful views and a few odd chickens.

Since it launched 50 years ago, Milnthorpe publisher Cicerone has produced 400 walking guides. Here are five of their favourite routes.

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.

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

Willy Russell’s masterpiece needs little in the way of introduction to the older generation who will probably remember when it came to fame in the early 80s both on stage and in film. This new touring production, currently running at Keswick’s Theatre by the Lake, stays true to the original but is every bit as fresh and relevant now as it was then.

A luv letter to Lancashire, deftly crafted out of hours of conversation with 500 of its inhabitants, and edited into 80 minutes of lovingly-acted verbatim theatre.

Five hundred people were asked what it meant to them to be Lancastrian and their answers have been turned into a stage play. Louise Bryning reports.

The Broadway classic comes to Manchester.