Food and Drink > Tasty Events > Picnic Month in August > Picnic itineraries

Picnic itineraries

There are so many places to picnic in Lancashire, we've put together just a few ideas on where you can have a picnic as well as a great day out.

Beacon Country Park

Take your picnic to Beacon Country Park, Upholland. A picturesque country park where you can enjoy the nature and heritage trails.

Spend the afternoon:

1. Visiting Wildfowl and Wetland Trust Martin Mere, Nr Ormskirk and come into close contact with wetlands and their wildlife.

Or ...

2. Visiting Farmer Ted's Farm Park, Ormskirk and interact with all of the animals and explore the adventure play areas and field trail.

Then on the way back why not stop off at Homestead Farm's Shop and Tearoom for an ice cream and stock up on some Lancashire grown seasonal fruit and vegetables to take home.

St Annes on Sea

Take your picnic to St Annes on Sea, an original seaside resort with stunning views from the Victorian Pier. Children can enjoy donkey rides in the sand.

Spend the afternoon:

1. Visiting Fairhaven Lake, a superb setting on the Ribble Estuary with boating, tennis, putting, bowling an abundance of activities for all the family. Why not drop into the RSPB Discovery Centre with interactive displays and volunteers who will explain all about the wildlife on the Ribble Estuary, one of the best areas in the world for different species of birds.

Or ...

2.Visiting Penny Farm where you can meet the horses and ponies and find out about the rescue and rehabilitation programmes.

Then on the way back why not stop off at Bonds' Ice Cream Barat Elswick. Definitely the place to savour Bonds' mouthwatering range of speciality ice creams and tasty snacks of home baked cakes.

Williamson Park

Take your picnic to Williamson Park, Lancaster, comprising 54 acres of beautiful parkland with enchanting walks and breathtaking views to the Fylde Coast and the Lake District. The Tropical Butterfly House, mini-beasts, bird enclosure and small mammal section will fascinate.

Spend the afternoon:

1. Visiting Lancaster Castle and learn the story of the alleged witches to be brought to Lancaster, the most famous of whom were the Pendle Witches, who were tried, convicted and sentenced to death there. The Shire Hall has a magnificent display of heraldic shields.

Or ...

2. On a leisurely canal boat trip between Carnforth and Lancaster, this gentle waterway offers wonderful views of the Silverdale coast, Forest of Bowland and rolling countryside of Wyre.

Then on the way back why not stop off at Port of Lancaster Smokehouseand pick up some locally sourced seafood including Morecambe Bay potted shrimps to take home with you.

Cuerden Valley Park

Take your picnic to Cuerden Valley Park, a 600-acre country park which lies along the valley of the River Lostock. Enjoy the parkland and agricultural land, woodlands, lake/reservoir, Victorian Pinetum/American Garden and walled orchard.

Spend the afternoon ...

...at Samlesbury Hall, a black and white, oak-timbered medieval manor-house dating from 1325 and decorated with distinctive quatrefoils and wattle and daub infill. Other features include chapel, Long Gallery and Minstrels Gallery with bow-fronted window. The Hall is home to displays, craft exhibitions and antique sales. It is said to be haunted by Lady Dorothy.

Then on the way back why not stop off at Huntley's of Samlesbury, a farm shop serving teas and coffees along with locally produced cakes, jams, preserves, fudges and a superb range of ice-creams in some seventy flavours. There is also a full butchery and fruit and vegetable shop selling local produce.

Avenham Park

Take your picnic to Avenham Park, Preston which ranks amongst the finest examples of traditional Victorian parkland in the North West. Enjoy the wide variety of unusual ornamental plants, together with beautiful water features.

Spend the afternoon ...

...at the The National Football Museum offering a unique experience by bringing alive the fascinating story of football. The centrepiece is the FIFA collection, the finest collection of historic football memorabilia in the world.

Then on the way back why not stop off at Huntley's of Samlesbury, a farm shop serving teas and coffees along with locally produced cakes, jams, preserves, fudges and a superb range of ice-creams in some seventy flavours. There is also a full butchery and fruit and vegetable shop selling local produce.

Other Picninc ideas ...

Panopticons

Pennine Lancashire's Panopticons are a unique series of twenty-first century landmarks, designed to attract visitors into the countryside to enjoy the stunning landscapes and wealth of attractions that this delightful area has to offer. Each Panopticon is situated on a high-point site commanding spectacular views and ideal for a picnic.

Forest of Bowland

There are a number of sites in the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, where you can enjoy a quiet picnic and soak up the landscape.

Cheese trails

Combine a picnic with a walk round one of the three cheese trails around Lancashire's artisan cheesemakers. Known as "the Lancashire milk fields", the walks cover areas of the Forest of Bowland, around Chipping, Beacon Fell and Garstang.

Pendle Hill

Climb Pendle Hill or take the Walking with Witches Trail, following in the footsteps of the legendary Pendle Witches. Stop at Witches Galore in Newchurch in Pendle where you will find a whole host of spooky merchandise!

Blackpool

To really get away from it all why not take a picnic in to leafy Stanley Park, Blackpool's award-winning horticultural and wildlife treasure. Spot the cute, inquisitive squirrels, take in the showpiece Italian Gardens or hire a boat and float away lazy summer afternoons beside the swans on Stanley Park's boating lake.
Complete your day out with a stroll along the promenade, leaving time to enjoy the entertainment mixture of restaurants, shops arcades, bars and attractions for all the family to enjoy.