Blackburn

This former mill town has been producing textiles since the 13th century although these days it’s better known for its football club, Blackburn Rovers. Blackburn in Lancashire is surrounded by picturesque countryside which visitors can explore on foot, by bike or even on horseback. Blackburn town centre itself is currently enjoying a multi-million pound renovation which will expand the current shopping mall and transform Cathedral Square. There has been a church on the site of Blackburn’s grade-II listed Cathedral for more than 1,000 years although the current building was built in the early 19th century. Head inside to view the impressive Lantern Tower with its 56 panes of coloured glass. The church hosts regular art exhibitions and there are often free lunchtime recitals. Sports fans are spoilt for choice in Blackburn with regular football matches at Ewood Park during the Premiership season, or for something different, why not see the Blackburn Hawks, the city’s ice hockey team, in action? Visit Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery, housed in an imposing Gothic building, and see its collection of coins, manuscripts and books as well as the spooky Bowdler Collection of world beetles.