Lancashire Lad’s Life may have started out as a walking blog, but over time it’s become so much more.
The reality is, there are a lot of things to do in our beautiful county besides walking, so here is a list of Lancashire based activities for you, your friends and family to enjoy. You’re welcome!
… think we’ve missed anything off the list? Do get in touch and let us know!
Farm Experiences
Wood End Alpacas
Alison and Janet have done a marvellous job with farm diversification, over at Wood End Farm in beautiful Dunsop Bridge, Lancashire. The sheep farm of over 120 years in the families’ name, located in the Forest of Bowland, is now home to 15 friendly alpacas, providing visitors with the chance to meet them, as well as walk their favourites around the stunning farm fields.
Fancy walking an alpaca or two, bringing family and friends along for an unforgettable experience? Click this link to learn more. There’s even smaller sheep, perfect for the little ones to take a lead on walks.
p.s. we would highly recommend ordering cream teas for after the experience! Alison and Janet’s mum makes the BEST cakes, famous in the Hodder Valley in fact!
Mrs Dowsons Farm
Who here likes ice cream? Ok silly question, because everyone loves ice cream… and for us, Mrs Dowsons produces some of the best in the country.
Better still, beyond tasty ice cream flavours, the dairy farm has a lot more to offer for those visiting. They are also an open farm, with opportunities to meet & feed different animals, not to mention, a wide variety of species on show… not just your typical farming animals either!
There’s also a massive play area for children, huge crop mazes in the summer, and lots of indoor and outdoor seating (with food & refreshments) for families to sit and relax, making Mrs Dowsons perfect for a day out in Lancashire.
They often host special events at Mrs Dowsons, from the usual Easter, Halloween and Christmas events, to the unique, such as Dinosaur shows. Mostly aimed at young children, but no doubt a fun day out for the whole family nevertheless!
Best to pre-book before visiting Mrs Dowsons, especially for the events above. You’ll often save money through online discounts throughout the year as well, saving as much as 30% by pre-booking your visit.
Book your next visit to Mrs Dowsons here
Animal Sanctuaries
Turbary Woods – Owl and Bird of Prey Sanctuary, Longton
Birds of prey are such remarkable creatures, but many are purchased as pets, for which they are clearly not suitable. Turbary Woods, like many inspirational animal sanctuaries across the UK, are setup to help save a wide range of bird species, from poor ownership. By visiting this small woodland sanctuary in Longton, your entry fee acts as a donation, which helps feed & maintain all the bird residents.
Through a family member, I was lucky enough to be gifted a bird handlers experience on my day of visiting. The volunteers had me kitted out in protective gear, along with a sack of raw meet to feed several birds used in one of their simple ‘flying display’ afternoon sessions. Yes, other visitors watched on, as I literally held my arm out waiting for hawks and owls to swoop in and claw meet from my finger tips. Unforgettable experience!
As of spring 2023, no need to pre-book your next visit to Turbary Woods. Simply call in (within opening hours) and pay your donation for an enjoyable and informative day out in Lancashire.
To learn more about their bird of prey sanctuary in Longton, click here.