Sunshine, clear skies and a few days off call for one thing. Beer gardens.
After suffering for months on end in the harsh winter and spring, you should forgive us if we might get a little excited when checking the Met Office forecast for Lancashire this weekend. With highs of 30C in some places, it’s going to be a scorcher.
And for those who don’t drink or enjoy pub culture, don’t worry. We’ve got you covered with our guide to some of the best sun trap spots in the red rose county.
READ MORE: Lancashire’s fantastic lakeside cottages crowned one of best in England
But be careful in the heat. With it set to be up to 30C, a health warning for heat has been issued. That means plenty of sun cream, water, and shade when possible. Heat stroke is not fun.
Now that we’ve stopped being your dad for two seconds, read on for some inspiration on where to enjoy those brilliant blue skies and the chance to dig out your favourite sunglasses. We’ve focused on popular beer gardens and open spaces across the county.
Do you have a favourite sun spot you’d like to see included here? Whether it is a beer garden, cafe terrace or park, let us know in the comments or email [email protected]
Open spaces
Avenham & Miller Parks, Preston
These beautiful adjacent parks are home to the long-standing egg rolling traditional this the of year, giving you even more reasons t pay it a visit. It has ample open green spaces ideal for a game of football, rounders or frisbee.
There’s also a pavilion cafe, Japanese Garden, riverside walks and a number of water features to explore in this city centre park.
Read more about these neighbouring parks, here
The beach
You may be thinking this is a kop out or obvious inclusion, but we’re here to remind you of the great places our county has to offer when the sun puts its hats on, even if it is fleeting. Tourist big-hitters Blackpool, Fleetwood, Morecambe and Lytham St Annes deserve your consideration.
But we’d also like to highlight some of the others that can easily be overshadowed and forgotten when you’re thinking of a day trip to the seaside or the coast. So we’ll throw Half Moon Bay, Cleveleys, Hest Bank, Glasson Dock, Fairhaven and Arnside into the mix.
Winckley Square, Preston
One of our personal favourites as when you’re sitting on one of the benches in this bowl-like park, you wouldn’t believe you’re just metres form the bust shopping and leisure areas of Preston. It is both tranquil and picturesque, with loads of fresh blooms to admire and trees to take shelter in case the clouds to decide to dump and pair shower on you.
Country parks, various
Lancashire is fortunate to have a number of country parks with vast amounts of sun-soaked space to choose from, dotted around the county. We cannot get enough of how much Worden Park in Leyland has to offer.
It already has a historic hall, a mini golf course and model railway. While the Georgian walled garden is a go-to spot for peace and tranquillity.
And you should also pop Astley Park in Chorley on your ‘must see’ list. It is well-equipped to suit all the family, with a cafe onsite, huge adventure play area, plenty of open space, gardens and opportunity to explore and overlooked by Astley Hall.
Beer gardens
Lost & Found, Ormskirk
This town centre bar and restaurant near the station has a secret terrace that is a true sun trap. Customers will be exposed to any sunshine throughout the day, while enjoying a drink on the enclosed terrace which is decorated with fairy lights and boasts comfortable sofa seating.
Swan with Two Necks, Pendleton
Located near Clitheroe, this pubs is all about the views. The beer garden is something to behold, too, with rustic stone walls surrounding a garden of just-bloomed flowers looking out on a panoramic view of the Ribble Valley.
Assheton Arms, Downham
This recently-reopened gastropub sits at the tip of fairy-tale village Downham. The front patio of this quintessential country pub is the ideal spot to rest after a walk, with the area a beacon for ramblers and cyclists as it is in the shadows of Pendle Hill and straddles Ribble Valley.
It is also famed for its food, cooked with locally sourced ingredients grown on the Downham estate. On a clear day, the textured views are a good way to spend a lazy afternoon. The inn also boasts selection of boutique rooms, with limited availability over Easter.
The Continental, Preston
An urban beer garden in the heart of the city. There’s plenty of seating and space, with colourful trees and flowers making it a pleasant spot to enjoy a drink or two.
The Royal at Heysham, Morecambe
Located in the coastal village centre of Heysham, this traditional coaching inn a little bit off the beaten track. The outdoor courtyard is ideal for families, groups of friends and couples with covered areas coupled with plenty of benches to bask in any sunshine.
It can get extremely busy in peak period, with visitors to Morecambe Bay keen to take in pretty Heysham. The pub has a fascinating history and dates back to the 16th century, and you can read more here
It currently has 11 en-suite rooms, boasting original features. It welcomes regulars and out-of-towners alike.
Maxwell’s Cafe & Wine Bar
This venue has just reopened for the Easter holidays. It has heated umbrellas to shelter from the cooler weather and is a little bit of tranquillity, to take you away from the hustle and bustle.
Hopefully all of this should give you enough inspiration to go out and explore Lancashire over Easter come rain or shine, but hopefully shine….
Go forth, and catch that spring sun!
Please note, we used the BBC and Met Office as our forecast sources and they were accurate at time of publication
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