Lancashire, or Lancaster, county palatine and maritime shire, in NW. of England. bounded N. by Westmorland and Cumberland, E. by Yorkshire, S. by Cheshire, and W. by the Irish Sea; greatest length, 76 miles; greatest breadth, 45 miles; area, 1,208,154 acres; population 3,454,441. A detached part of the county, known as Furness (25 miles long, 23 miles broad), is separated from the main portion by Morecambe Bay and a part of Westmorland county [note: Furness has been part of Cumbria since 1974]. The coast line of Lancashire is very irregular, the chief inlets being Morecambe Bay, Lancaster Bay, and the estuaries of the Mersey and the Ribble. Towards the shore, which comprises great stretches of sand, the land has generally a flat appearance. In the N. and E. it becomes more elevated. The principal rivers are the Mersey, Ribble, Lune, Wyre, Winster, and Leven. Peat prevails in the soil of the upland districts, while much of the low lying land consists of a rich loam. The chief crops are oats, wheat, and potatoes. Carboniferous limestone abounds in the N. part of the co.; on the coast is the old red sandstone. The great coalfield of Lancashire, the existence of which has greatly contributed towards establishing its pre-eminence as a manufacturing co., covers an area of about 217 sq. miles between the Ribble and the Mersey. Iron is abundant in Furness. Lancashire is intersected by an intricate network of canals and railways. Its immense cotton manufactures have a world-wide fame, while other textile fabrics are largely produced. Its manufactures of machinery of all descriptions are also extensive. Lancashire comprises 6 hundreds and 453 parishes. It is comprised in the dioceses of Liverpool, Manchester, Carlisle, and Ripon.
– John Bartholomew, Gazetteer of the British Isles (1887)
14th/20th King’s Hussars Museum
Stanley Street
Preston PR1 4YP
01772 534075
The museum of Lancashire contains the museums of two historic regiments. The gallery of the 14th/20th King’s Hussars traces the history of the regiment from 1715 and includes two Victoria crosses as well as artefacts from the Napoleonic era and India.
Astley Hall & Coach House
Astley Park, Off Hallgate
Chorley PR7 1NP
01257 515151
www.chorley.gov.uk/astleyhall
Astley Hall is a museum and art gallery housed within a Grade I listed historic house. The hall is set within the beautiful surroundings of Astley Park which include historic woodland, a lake, a fully renovated Victorian walled garden alongside clean and modern facilities for visitors to enjoy. The hall is perhaps best known for its stunning Jacobean plasterwork ceilings and the house is built around an internal Elizabethan courtyard.
Be Prepared – The Story of Scouting
Story of Scouting Museum, Waddecar Scout Activity Centre, Snape Rake Lane
Goosnargh PR3 2EU
01253 354244
The museum, the very first purpose-built Scouting museum in the country is situated at Waddecar Scout Activity Centre. It provides over 160 square metres of display and storage space. There are over 2000 books and publications in the library including all the known reference works.
Blackburn Museum & Art Gallery
Museum St
Blackburn BB1 7AJ
01254 667130
Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery is housed in a beautiful ‘Arts and Crafts’ style building in the town centre, near the Town Hall and cinema. It opened in 1874 originally as both a museum and a library, and now offers a lively programme of exhibitions and events for all the family.
Bolton Museum, Aquarium & Archive
Le Mans Crescent
Bolton BL1 1SE
01204 332211
Bolton is a medium sized regional museum that has its origins in the Chadwick Museum and Mere Hall Art Gallery.
Collections: The museums collection includes archaeology, art, botany, egyptology, entomology, geology, social history, natural history, and zoology.
Bolton Steam Museum
Mornington Road
Bolton BL1 4EU
01204 846490
Over 25 textile mill stationary steam engines have been rescued and restored to working order. These include some very rare and unusual types of engine.
British Commercial Vehicle Museum
King Steet
Leyland PR25 2LE
01772 451011
www.bcvm.co.uk
This is one of Britain’s most important heritage collections – a unique display of historic commercial vehicles and buses spanning a century of truck and bus building. Visitors can view an imaginative display of vehicles, which use sound and lighting special effects to give a virtual reality tour for all the exhibits, creating a spectacular and fascinating exhibition.
British Lawnmower Museum
106-114 Shakespeare St
Southport PR8 5AJ
01704 501336
The museum has now become one of the leading authorities on vintage lawnmowers specialises in antique garden machinery, supplying parts, archive conservation of manuscript materials and valuing machines from all over the world.
Carnforth Station Heritage Centre
Warton Road
Carnforth LA5 9TR
01524 735165
www.carnforthstation.co.uk
After many years of dereliction the Carnforth Station Trust Company restored the derelict station into what has become an award winning Heritage Centre. Attractions include the Brief Encounter Cinema area and Refreshment Room as seen in David Lean’s film of 1945, various exhibition areas covering past local industry, the golden age of steam and the Bateman Gallery hosting ‘guest’ exhibitions throughout the year.
Clitheroe Castle Museum
Castle Hill
Clitheroe BB7 1BA
01200 424568
Now fully open after a complete makeover, the museum stands high on Castle Hill, in the shadow of the castle Keep, an image which has dominated Clitheroe’s skyline for over 800 years. Explore our ‘hands-on’ galleries, collections and displays which reveal amazing stories and take you on a journey through 350 millions years of history.
Colne Heritage Centre
The Old Colne Grammar School, Church Street
Colne BB8 0AP
01282 871155
Features permanent and changing exhibitions about the ancient market town of Colne. Including a collection of Wallace Hartley memorabilia, the bandmaster who went down with the Titanic in 1912.
Cottage Museum, The
15 Castle Hill
Lancaster LA1 1YS
01524 64637
www.lancashire.gov.uk/museums
Tiny and intriguing 18th century cottage, offering an intimate glimpse of early Victorian life. Meet our Victorian housekeeper.
Duke of Lancaster’s Own Yeomanry Museum
Stanley Street
Preston PR1 4YP
01772 264 075
Re-opened in mid 2011, following a major refurbishment, the museum of Lancashire contains the museums of two historic regiments. The gallery of the 14th/20th King’s Hussars traces the history of the regiment from 1715 and includes two Victoria crosses as well as artefacts from the Napoleonic era and India. The Duke of Lancaster’s Own Yeomanry collection marks its association with the county with exhibits that include items from World War I in the Middle East, Peterloo, and South Africa.
Earby & District Local History Society
c/o 22 Salterforth Road, Earby
Barnoldswick BB18 6ND
www.earbyhistory.co.uk
Our aims are to raise awareness and interest in the history of the Ancient Parish of Thornton-in-Craven, of which Earby was a part. We aim to facilitate research into the heritage of Earby and District, including Thornton-in-Craven, Kelbrook, Sough, Hague, Harden and Salterforth.
Fleetwood Memorial Park
Warrenhurst Road
Fleetwood
01253 891000
www.wyre.gov.uk/memorialpark
Fleetwood’s Memorial Park is a Grade II listed park in the heart of the town. Memorial Park is unique in that the entire grounds were created in commemoration of the First World War, unlike most conventional architectural memorials, and it is one of only a few listed war memorial parks and gardens in the country.
Fleetwood Museum
Queens Terrace
Fleetwood FY7 6BT
01253 876621
www.lancashire.gov.uk/museums
The museum explores the story of Fleetwood, the Victorian idealism of Fleetwood’s founder Sir Peter Hesketh Fleetwood and the architect Decimus Burton, who designed the new Victorian town. Discover Fleetwood’s heyday as a Victorian seaside resort, cargo trade, ferry services, lifeboats, about the docks and industrious fishing industry – both inshore and deep sea, trawlers at war, the chemical giant ICI and so much more.
Gawthorpe Hall – National Trust
Padiham
Nr Burnley BB12 8UA
01282 771004
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/gawthorpe-hall
This imposing house, set in tranquil grounds in the heart of urban Lancashire, resembles the great Hardwick Hall and is very probably by the same architect, Robert Smythson. In the middle of the 19th century Sir Charles Barry was commissioned to restore the house, thereby creating the opulent interiors we see today.
Hall i’ th’ Wood Museum
Greenway, off Crompton Way
Bolton BL1 8UA
01204 332211
Hall i’ th’ Wood Museum is a rare surviving example of a Tudor wooden framed house.
Collections: On display are examples of 17th and early 18th century furniture and objects relating to Samuel Crompton and the founder of the museum, Lord Leverhulme.
Harris Museum & Art Gallery
Market Square
Preston PR1 2PP
01772 258248
Located in the heart of Preston in a beautiful Grade I listed building, the Harris Museum & Art Gallery hosts a huge range of free exhibitions as well as events and activities for all ages.
Collections: There are three main collection areas – fine art, decorative art and history.
Helmshore Mills Textile Museum
Holcombe Road, Helmshore
Rossendale BB4 4NP
01706 226459
www.lancashire.gov.uk/museums
18th century water powered fulling mill and a 19th century condenser cotton spinning mill, both with working machinery.
Hoghton Tower
Hoghton Tower
Hoghton PR5 0SH
01254 85 2986
www.hoghtontower.co.uk
Hoghton Tower is one of Lancashire’s gems. A Tudor – Elizabethan manor and the ancestral home of the de Hoghton family, the Tower stands proudly on its hill overlooking the surrounding countryside.
Horwich Heritage Centre
The Resource Centre, Beaumont Road, (off Longworth Road), Horwich
Bolton BL6 7BG
www.horwichheritage.co.uk
The Heritage Centre is the permanent home of Horwich Heritage and a permanent exhibition is on display there. There are several exhibition areas in the new centre, one of them being Horwich Loco Works, which includes a three-quarter scale model of a locomotive footplate. Other areas include a Victorian kitchen, local industry, a Horwich pub, childhood, local sport, Leverhulme’s Rivington and transport.
Judges’ Lodgings
Church Street
Lancaster LA1 1YS
01524 32808
www.lancashire.gov.uk/museums
Lancaster’s oldest town house, nestled in the shadow of Lancaster Castle. Originally the home of Thomas Covell and later used by judges visiting the Assize Courts, this Grade 1 listed building offers something for all the family. See the splendidly restored period rooms featuring fine furniture by the renowned Gillows of Lancaster. Take a journey through history in the museum of Childhood with our enchanting collection of dolls, toys and games from the 18th century to the present day.
King’s Own Royal Regiment Museum
City Museum, Market Square
Lancaster LA1 1HT
01524 64637
The museum covers the history of the King’s Own Royal Regiment (4th Regiment of Foot) from its raising in 1680 through to the present day. Displays cover the Napoleonic, Crimean and Abyssinian Campaigns of the 19th century, and the Boer War, Great War and Second World War of the 20th century. The museum’s website is a fascinating resource on the history of the regiment.
Lancashire Archives
Lancashire Record Office, Bow Lane, Preston
Lancashire PR1 2RE
01772 533039
Lancashire Archives collects unique, historic records that reflect Lancashire and Lancashire life – past and present.
Lancashire County Council Cultural Services
CH Room, Lancashire Archives, Bow Lane
Preston PR1 2RE
01772 534021
We celebrate and bring together the heritage of Lancashire through a wide range of activities showcasing the Local History and Heritage collections held by Lancashire County Council. Collections are housed within these Cultural Services venues.
Lancashire County Council Museum Service
Stanley Street
Preston PR1 4YP
01772 534061
www.lancashire.gov.uk/museums
The textile industry collections of Lancashire County Museum Service include three former textile mills, textile machinery, photographs, books, catalogues and textile machine manuals. They are located at Helmshore Mills Textile Museum, Rossendale and Queen Street Mill Textile Museum, Burnley.
Lancashire Infantry Museum
Fulwood Barracks
Preston PR2 8AA
01772 260362
www.lancashireinfantrymuseum.org.uk
The museum houses the largest military collection in the North West. It covers the history of the County’s three infantry regiments from the raising of Lord Castleton’s Regiment of Foot in 1689 through the several amalgamations that have resulted in the creation of the current Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment.
Collections: The museum houses the largest military collection in the North West. It covers the history of the County.
Lancaster Castle
Shire Hall, Castle Parade
Lancaster LA1 1YJ
01524 64998
www.lancashire.gov.uk/museums
Discover one of the most important historic monuments in the North West.. This fascinating Grade 1 listed building has dominated Lancaster for almost 1000 years and is one of the best preserved and hardest working castles in the country.
Lancaster City Museum
Market Square
Lancaster LA1 1HT
01524 64637
www.lancashire.gov.uk/museums
Lancaster City Museum is housed in an elegant Georgian building situated at the heart of historic Lancaster. Discover Lancaster’s past from the time of the Romans to the present day. Trace the history of the Lancaster King’s Own regiment. Changing programme of temporary exhibitions.
Lancaster Maritime Museum
St George’s Quay
Lancaster LA1 1RB
01524 382264
www.lancashire.gov.uk/museums
Lancaster Maritime Museum is an award-winning museum set within the former Port of Lancaster Custom House. Let us take you on a journey to discover all things nautical relating to the Morecambe Bay area.
Lancaster Priory
Castle Hill
Lancaster LA1 1YZ
01524 65338
Lancaster Priory & Parish Church in North West England – just south of the Lake District – dates from the 11th century, though there has been a church on this site from 630 A.D. and maybe in Roman times.
Lewis Textile Museum
Exchange Street
Blackburn BB1 7JN
01254 667 130
The Lewis Textile Museum on Exchange Street, facing the Town Hall and just around the corner from Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery, tells the story of the town’s cotton industry and features a programme of textile based exhibitions.
Littleborough Museum
Littleborough OL15
01706 377 685
www.littleboroughshistory.org/page4.html
This collection has been made up of pieces that are directly or indirectly related to the people of this community. Using the many artefacts that are on display, the collection hopes to bring to life the long and colourful history of the town and its people, taking a particular interest in the way that normal people’s lives have changed with the advent of new technology and working practices.
Lytham Windmill Heritage Museum
The Windmill, Lytham Green
Lytham FY8 5LD
01253 794 879
www.lythamwindmill.co.uk
Built on what is now Lytham Green in 1805, the Windmill is the landmark that everyone sees when they come to Lytham. One of several mills on the Fylde, Lytham Mill was worked until 1919 when a fire destroyed most of the machinery.
Marsh Mill Windmill
76 Barton Street
Thornton-Cleveleys FY5 4AE
01253 860765
Marsh Mill itself is the finest, well preserved example of its kind in the north west of England. It was built in 1974 by Ralph Slater who was a Fylde Millwright. It was commissioned by Bold Hesketh, uncle of Peter Hesketh (later Peter Hesketh-Fleetwood) who would go on to play a prominent role in the expansion of Fleetwood.
Museum of Lancashire
Stanley Street
Preston PR1 4YP
01772 534075
www.lancashire.gov.uk/museums
Explore 2000 years of Lancashire history with our fantastic new range of family friendly, interactive galleries. Explore a range of objects which will introduce you to the story of Lancashire.
North West Sound Archive
Old Steward’s Office, Castle Grounds, Clitheroe Castle
Clitheroe BB7 1BA
01200 427897
www.gmcro.co.uk/other/NWSA/nwsa.htm
The North West Sound Archive has around 50,000 such recordings of BBC Radio Manchester as well as over 110,000 sound recorded items and 2.5 tonnes of 78-rpm gramophone records ranging from George Formby to the Halle Orchestra. There are internationally important collections including the survey of English dialect and solidarity speeches from the Dockyards of Poland.
Ormskirk & District Family History Society
PO Box 213, Aughton
Ormskirk L39 5WT
01695 578780
Explores genealogy in south west Lancashire.
Pendle Heritage Centre
Park Hill, Barrowford
Nelson BB9 6JQ
01282 677152
www.htnw.co.uk
Pendle Heritage Centre, listed grade II buildings, incorporates a museum, art gallery, parlour shop, tea-room, 18th century walled garden, cruck-barn, tourist information centre and conference facilities.
Queen Street Mill Textile Museum
Harle Syke
Burnley BB10 2HX
01282 412555
www.lancashire.gov.uk/museums
Queen Street Mill Textile Museum is the last remaining operational steam powered weaving mill in the world. The museum collections are designated as being of national importance and the boilerhouse, enginehouse and chimney have Ancient Monument status.
Ribble Steam Railway & Museum
Chain Caul Road
Preston PR2 2PD
01772 728800
A visit to the Ribble Steam Railway will not only give you the opportunity to travel along the one-and-a half-mile dock and riverside line, but also access our extensive museum and workshop. On site we have over 40 industrial locomotives, including Deltic Prototype currently on loan from The National Railway Museum.
Ribchester Museum of Roman Antiquities
Riverside, Ribchester
Preston PR3 3XS
01254 878 261
Roman Ribchester is brought to life by dramatic displays, which contain a life size cavalryman, Roman legionary and exciting interactive exhibits. Columns have been erected for the first time in 2000 years and there are wonderful objects, including weaponry, jewellery and leatherwork alongside favourites like the replica of the Ribchester Parade Helmet and the impressive sculpture of a cavalryman riding down his Celtic adversary.
Roman Bath House
Castle Hill
Lancaster LA1 1YS
01524 64637
Discovered and excavated in 1973-4, the Roman bath-house in Vicarage Field, Lancaster, formed one end of a large courtyard house, probably the home of a Roman official. It was demolished in about 340AD to make way for a new and massive stone fort. Part of the fort wall, known as the ‘Wery Wall’, can also be seen.
Rufford Old Hall – National Trust
Rufford
nr Ormskirk L40 1SG
01704 821254
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/rufford-old-hall
One of Lancashire’s finest 16th-century buildings. The spectacular Great Hall has an intricately carved ‘moveable’ wooden screen and dramatic hammer-beam roof.
Samlesbury Hall
Preston New Road
Preston PR5 0UP
01254 812010
www.samlesburyhall.co.uk
Samlesbury Hall is Lancashire’s foremost ancestral home offering a variety of facilities ensuring a great day out. Samlesbury Hall boasts three main galleries that show new and exciting exhibitions from a variety of different artistic disciplines.
Smithills Hall
Smithills Dean Road
Bolton BL1 7NP
01204 332377
www.boltonmuseums.org.uk/historic-halls
One of Bolton’s original family homes, Smithills Hall is a Grade 1 listed building, full of history and drama.
Collections: Furniture: 17th century;18th century;19th century; Arts and Crafts movement. Decor: from mediaeval to Arts and Crafts. Paintings: mainly from 18th to 19th century.
South Ribble Museum & Exhibition Centre
The Old Grammar School, Church Road
Leyland PR25 3FJ
01772 422041
south-ribble.co.uk/srmuseum
The Leyland Free Grammar School was established by Henry ffarington in 1524, and the present building was probably erected on this site about 1580. Although extended a century later most of the structure has been changed very little.
Collections: Includes finds from E.E.Pickering’s 1946-58 excavations on the Roman supply base at Walton-le-Dale. Small economic and socisl history collections reflect the South Ribble district’s economic development (textiles/cloth bleaching etc).
Towneley Hall Art Gallery & Museum
Towneley Park
Burnley BB11 3RQ
01282 424213
www.burnley.gov.uk/residents/towneley-hall
Towneley Hall is a council-owned museum and art gallery, offering an intriguing combination of historic art collection alongside a changing programme of contemporary exhibitions.
Turton Tower
Chapeltown Road, Turton
Nr Bolton BL7 0HG
01204 852203
www.turtontower.co.uk
A delightful Tudor house in woodland gardens. A distinctive 15th century English country house. Set in relaxing woodlands on the edge of the popular walking area of the West Pennine Moors.
Weavers’ Triangle Visitor Centre
85 Manchester Road
Burnley BB11 1JZ
01282 452403
www.weaverstriangle.co.uk
Discover what it was like to live in a 19th century Lancashire mill town. From the Visitor Centre, walk through the Weavers’ Triangle – a unique Victorian industrial landscape.
Whitaker, The
Whitaker Park, Rawtenstall
Rossendale BB4 6RE
01706 260785
www.lancashire.gov.uk/museums
Set within tranquil Whitaker Park. Displays include a late Victorian drawing room, fine arts and furniture.