Lancashire is a region which has it all. Wild walks, vibrant towns and a gorgeous coastline. There are a myriad of pubs, shops and independent stores and just about anything you’d like or require, as well as an intriguing and fascinating historical background.
Living here isn’t just about fun and games, in fact, in the past, Morecambe was found to experience the highest amount of rain in England. But Lancashire keeps people coming back from all over the world.
Here are nine reasons why we love living in this stunning Northern county, and without any specific order:
It’s a must to live.
We’re not in any way biased. Well maybe a little. Lancashire has several places within the county which has been voted the most desirable area to live and work in.
This year, Trawden, a tiny village in the ‘unheard area of Lancashire was chosen as the most desirable place to reside in the North West. The village near Colne was selected by judges for the famous Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide after examining the area’s schools, transport and broadband to culture, green spaces and the overall health of the high street.
Preston was also voted as the best place for people to work and live in the North West in the Demos-PWC Good Growth for Cities Index earlier this year. It’s the 3rd year in a row where Preston has been voted the best city in Lancashire city has been awarded this distinction, and it was above average in a number of categories the public think are most important when it comes to economic health.
They include the availability of jobs, the positive lifestyle, the abilities of the population , and the diversity of jobs offered. We don’t have to prove that Lancashire’s the most ideal place to live and work, but it’s nice to have facts to prove it.
The rolling hills
There are those who think Lancashire is rough because it is just a few miles to some of the beautiful landscapes of the country (yes, I’m talking about the Lake District) but Lancashire has some gems of its own.
We too have our own gorgeous rolling hills, like that of the Forest of Bowland, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (the part that’s located in Yorkshire isn’t included).
The Forest of Bowland is for the vast majority of the time filled with miles and miles of rolling hills and farmland, meaning there’s an abundance of breathtaking scenic walks for anyone to enjoy There’s also the possibility of one at the conclusion of some of them too.
In the heart of the county in the heart of the county are Longridge Fell and Beacon Fell which both offer spectacular views of the surrounding area, on a sunny day of course. Then there is the famed Pendle Hill which is only 160 feet short of being described as an mountain. Even in the harsh Lancashire weather the hilly landscape is breathtaking.
The coast has been awarded with a prestigious award.
If hills don’t work for you, then take a glance towards the West of our gorgeous county and you’ll find the multi-award winning beaches of Blackpool, Lytham St Annes, and Morecambe.
If it is a sunny day and with a clear sky, the hills of the Lakes, the Isle of Man and even Wales can be seen from our shoreline. The Lancashire Coastal Way stretches stretches across 137 miles from Merseyside to Cumbria.
This Lancashire coastline is made up of many different landscapes, including the limestone scenery from Arnside and Silverdale saltmarshes, coastal beaches, land, and the estuaries of rivers the Lune, Wyre and Ribble, meaning if you’re not a fan of walking in the hills, you could stroll along the coast instead.
The beaches of the the coast are some of top in the country, which is why awards are presented to beaches in Morecambe, Fleetwood and Blackpool that brings us onto the next point.
Blackpool
It’s no secret that Blackpool differs in opinion across Lancashire. Some don’t love the location because they believe it’s old-fashioned and shabby. Some (like me) absolutely love the seaside resort, and all of its peculiarities.
Blackpool has attracted millions of visitors for generations. families come back year on years to enjoy what Blackpool has to offer. The town is the only seaside resort in the UK to have three piers each with their own bar, and attractions. One even has a mini-theme park. Squires Gate, now known as Blackpool International Airport, was actually the UK’s first airport.
The tower is what makes the resort the Paris of north (no I’m not trying to argue with this) And no other county has the same number of Strictly Come Dancing stars making an effort to dance in their unique ballroom with sprung floors.
There’s a lot I can say about how much I love Blackpool I’m certain many others would go on about how much people hate the town however the fact remains that there’s nowhere else like it.
Visit this website for more info on why the area is the happiest place to live.
Rich history – including KFC
Lancashire is a region with a rich story, beginning with its founding in 1183. The towns of mills, Blackburn as well as Burnley were the origins for the Industrial Revolution in the 18th century. In 1764 the Spinning Jenny was invented by James Hargreaves a cotton weaver from Stanhill near Oswaldtwistle which revolutionized the production of cotton.
In the northern part of the county The trial of the Pendle Witches in Lancaster in 1612 is the UK’s most famous witchhunt and in 2012 Lancashire was celebrating it’s 400th Centenary.
A little more sweet, Jelly Babies were though to have begun their journey within the Lancashire town Nelson. The first Jelly Babies were made through Thomas Fryer and his sweet company in the 19th century. Thomas Fryer was born in Barrowford around 1841. Then in 1864, he established a sweetshop located on Colne Road.
A number of famous people were born in the county, including George Booth (George Formby) who was born in Wigan in 1904, Jimmy Clitheroe, who was born in Clitheroe in 1921 and of course Eric Morcambe who was born in Morcambe in 1926. Also, who could forget the fact that the first KFC opened on Preston’s main street.
Friendly and nice people
Everyone is aware that Lancashire people are the most welcoming people in the world.
The news is full of countless stories about people joining together in times need, particularly in the Covid-19 epidemic, which saw towns set up foodbanks, Covid safe meeting places and neighbours create bubbles in order to prevent people from being isolated by staying at home food orders.
All over Lancashire there are numerous small towns and villages where they don’t hesitate at being asked for sugar for a cup And in recent times towns like Burnley and Lancaster have both been dubbed one of the most friendly places within the UK.
Our local cuisine
This county has created a number of recipes that have stayed with us through the ages. Butter Pie for instance would be eaten on a Friday, a day when meat wasn’t meant to be consumed by Lancashire’s Catholics. Today, you can find it available at any time, all over the county, from traditional bakeries to in farm shops or even at football matches.
No-one can forget Chorley cakes. The lesser known cousin of the Eccles cake Chorley cakes contain spiced with sugar and currants. They are then covered in buttery, flaky pastry and baked. They also have an egg glaze whites and sugar which gives them an appealing crunch.
And of course, there’s a traditional Lancashire Hotpot that has been a staple for this county from the 18th century onwards. It is believed to have been created during the peak in the industry of cotton and was a simple meal that would have been simmered slowly for the entire day long, waiting for hungry cotton workers after the completion of their shift.
I could continue to list Black Pudding from Haslingden as well as Corned Beef Hash, or Parkin, the list really is endless.
Musicians
Sometimes, we are overlooked by our larger, bolder neighbours of Manchester and Merseyside People often overlook that Lancashire has produced its own host of musical geniuses.
Did you know Rick Astley is from Newton-le-Willows? The “Never Gonna Give You up singer is one of numerous world-class artists that have come out of Lancashire. Although the town may not have been Lancashire following the late 1970s boundary reviews, and with Rick born in the county of the red roses it is certain that we will be calling his name.
The famous tenor Alfie Boe was born in Fleetwood, whilst Rae Morris is from Blackpool. X-Factor hopeful Dianna Vickers is originally from Accrington.
Kevin Simm is also from Chorley. The singer was a part of Liberty X before winning The Voice UK and becoming the lead singer for Wet Wet Wet. Fleetwood Mac’s Christine McVie is also from the town of Bouth. Although she is now Cumbria It was long-gone Lancashire at the time of the 1940s, when she was born.
It’s not Yorkshire
When I was trying to find ideas for this piece, it was the most typical item I was informed of. And on the surface it seems like a jibe at that centuries old Lancashirethe other Yorkshire rivalry However, when you look at it, its far more.
Lancashire and Yorkshire are two counties which are distinct Both have amazing things to offer, but often smushed together as “the North’. But Lancashire deserves its own acknowledgment.
It’s a place filled with history, music beautiful coats, gorgeous scenery and rolling hills, and everything else we’ve mentioned above. We have our own dishes and tea bags. Our people are the best that you’ll meet. Lancashire isn’t just better than Yorkshire it’s the greatest region in the world and that’s the reason we love it so much.
