Day 1: We arrive at our beautiful hotel, set in 17 acres of parkland, in time for dinner.
Day 2: We begin our day with a guided tour of Samlesbury Hall. This fabulous half-timbered black and white medieval house, built in 1325 as a family home, is brought to life with captivating stories from our knowledgeable guide. Enjoy intrigue and sorcery with turbulent tales of its Catholic families, ghosts, hauntings and witchcraft from the early 14th through to the 21st century. After our visit we make our way to Riley Green Marina to embark upon our unique narrow boat cruise along the Leeds Liverpool Canal. Our 3-hour round trip passes through delightful countryside including Withnell Fold Nature Reserve, past the old Paper Mill and on to the lovely hamlet of Wheelton and Johnsons Hillock Locks before descending and ascending two locks and returning to Riley Green. During our cruise, we enjoy a two-course lunch on our spacious boat, with each table offering panoramic views of the canal.
Day 3: This morning we head straight to Bury and its famous market – voted Britain’s best – where we can browse its extensive stalls in the large market hall and outside. Packed with independent traders with over 350 stalls selling a vast array of goods and produce from the latest fashions and homewares to fresh fruit and homemade pastries. Well known for Bury Black Pudding the market has long been recognised as the best place to buy it with original, low fat and vegetarian versions of this local delicacy. After our visit we step back in time for a nostalgic trip on an historic steam train along the East Lancashire Railway. With a storied history stretching back to the beginning of the Industrial Revolution the Railway has been transporting goods and passengers for nearly 200 years. Departing from Bury our journey takes us through the beautiful Lancashire countryside with its stunning rural panoramas to pretty postcard villages, bustling Victorian towns and cotton mill dotted horizons. We disembark at Rawtenstall and travel to Gawthorpe Hall. This Elizabethan gem affectionately known as the “Downton of the North” has strong associations with the writings of Charlotte Bronte and is home to The North West’s largest collection of portraits on loan from the National Portrait gallery.
Day 4: We enjoy a scenic guided tour of the picturesque Ribble Valley this morning. Travelling through this unspoiled corner of England with its gentle rolling countryside and wooded river valleys, we’ll pass through some well known places such as Ribchester, built on the site of a Roman fort, and Longridge whose town centre is mostly built from the locally quarried sandstone. We finish our journey at the Oswaldtwistle Mills Shopping Village and Garden Centre. This award winning former weaving mill has over 100 retailers under one roof, five restaurants, an ice cream parlour, garden centre, mill grounds, craft and sewing centre, Textile and Heritage Museum and even its own wildfowl reserve. After time browsing the shops, we take the weight off our feet and sit down for a traditional Lancashire lunch of Pie and Peas followed by a jam scone and a cup of tea.
Day 5: After a delicious Lancashire breakfast, we make our way home.