If you know Lancashire, I need your help!

[BoogleMcGroogle]

My daughter has a residential course at a school in Fleetwood in the summer holidays and wants us to stay up there near her (it's her first time away from home, and we are in Essex, so it's quite a trip for her!). Can anyone recommend a town, village or area that might be a nice spot to look for a holiday cottage. We don't need to be round the corner, just in the vicinity. I've never visited the area and am really looking forward to some (bracing!) coastal and hill walks with my son while she's busy singing. Any other ideas of places nearby to visit with a very active 8 year old would be great. All ideas much appreciated :)

Forest of Bowland isn't too far and absolutely spectacular. But it's not on the coast. If you want coastal, Lytham St. Anne's is nice.

Thanks for the recommendation- we do also love a bit of forest, so we will look there first.

Confusingly the Forest of Bowland isn't actually a forest. It is lovely though.
I might go for Lancaster myself as it's a nice small city, with museums and what not.

Thanks. I've heard Lancaster is nice. Will look there too. I'd never have thought to head to that area on holiday ( although we've had many happy Yorkshire holidays) but I'm now very excited. The countryside looks stunning.

Echo Forest of Bowland recommendations. And also Ribble Valley. Everyone who doesn't know the area is always blown away by how beautiful it is.

The Fence Gate Inn is a lovely b&b, if you're looking for recommendations. From there, I'd go on local trips to Clitheroe (castle and check out Byrne's wine shop and other independent shops, Bowland Brewery), Downham (gorgeous estate village often used in TV), stoneyhurst and Hurst Green. I'd do the Tolkein walk in the latter and also take a walk up Pendle Hill (Start in Barley, walk up "the big end", across the top and down past the reservoir before back to Barley for the pub). Whalley Abbey also worth a wander and there's a very small Roman museum at Ribchester. Longer trips (still under an hour) can be to Skipton, Haworth or Gisburn Forest if you like cycling.

You're also not far from the motorway so only an hour from Fleetwood.

You could also consider Ingleton/Kirkby Lonsdale areas.

Are you planning to go into Fleetwood every day? If so, I'd be looking at Lytham St Annes - great for an 8 year old to let off steam (take a scooter). I'd avoid Blackpool - again worth a visit with the 8 year old but not somewhere I would stay personally. Lancaster and Forest of Bowland are both brilliant suggestions but I'm not sure they work as a base if you're travelling to Fleetwood every day.

I agree with Lancaster area. Some very nice scenic spots around there. Also agree Ribble Valley.

Fleetwood is a HOLE. (Sorry if you live there, but it is!) It is also a pain in the arse to get to, so you are going to be driving to get there no matter where you stay.

Thanks so much everyone. I've just booked a cottage in a village called Quernmore, near Lancaster and on the edge of the Forest of Bowland. Thanks for the ideas about places to visit too. I think it will be fun!

That sounds lovely! (BTW by any chance it's an nco course at rossall school, I'm sure she'll have a wonderful time and the pastoral care is excellent )

That will be lovely Boogle
Make sure you do the tour of Lancaster Castle whilst you are there - it is absolutely brilliant. It is ancient, but not like a regular castle as it has been a court room for hundreds of years and was also a prison until quite recently. The Pendle Witches were tried there and it is still used for high security trials occasionally. It really is fascinating and well worth a visit.

I am sure you know but in case, Quernmore is pronounced Kwor-mer. Happy holidays!

My husband lived in Quernmore as a student in a huge country house. It was rented out from a monastery as overflow accommodation. The monks moved into a wing and the students had the run of the mini stately home. Oh happy days, the most unmonkly things went on there! It’s a private house now I think. Sorry, totally irrelevant but it’s brought back the happiest memories from the 1980s. Lancaster is an interesting city, definitely visit the castle/prison

I am sure you know but in case, Quernmore is pronounced Kwor-mer

Every day's a school day!

I've driven through there loads of times, and just assumed it was kwern-more. And I HATE getting pronunciations (of anything) wrong, so thank you.

bakedpotatoandgin almost...it a National Youth Girls Choir course at a Rossall Hall

MAFIL Lancaster castle sound right up our street.

Thanks so much everyone. I can't wait!

I was close... Have fun!