Get sporty in Lancashire

If the season change has got you looking at ways to stay more active, then head to Lancashire. Here you will find an abundance of places to get the heart pumping, fresh air in your lungs, or just close to the action.

Take a look at our top ten ways for you to enjoy sports in Lancashire;

1. Water sports  
Don't let the colder days stop you. There are many opportunities for enjoying watersports across Lancashire, including Fairhaven Lake, The Anderton Centre and Wyresdale Park. Fairhaven Lake, in St Annes, offers launch for motorboats, rowing boats, canoes, and paddle boards. The lake water sports centre has "have a go" stand up paddleboard, kayaking and canoeing sessions for those new to these sports. The Anderton Centre in Chorley has options for stand up paddleboarding, sit on top kayaking and funboat sailing sessions on the Rivington Reservoir. You can also enjoy stand up paddleboarding at Wyresdale Park near Lancaster as well as wild swim sessions.  

2. Skiing at The Hill Rossendale 
Ever fancied learning snowboarding or skiing but don't want to take a plane or be cooped up inside whilst learning? Outdoor ski slopes are the way forward!  When you visit Lancashire, you can have a go on one of the oldest ski slopes in the country. The Hill is Home of Ski Rossendale, an outdoor slope offering snowboarding and skiing sessions, including lessons for those new to skiing. There's also tubing which is a great way of introducing youngsters to the "ice" and ladies only sessions with female instructors on a Friday.  

3. Football Club Stadium tours  
If football is your thing, Lancashire is the place to be! Considered the birthplace of league football, Lancashire has three major teams that float within the Championship and the Premier Leagues: Burnley, Blackburn and Preston North End. There are a number of lower league teams that have a special history too, with Blackpool, Accrington Stanley, Morecambe and more all offering a great football experience.  
If you want to enjoy the spirit of the game between matches, get yourself on a stadium tour! Burnley Football Club offer tours of Turf Moor, where you can find out what goes on behind the scenes and visit exclusive areas of the stadium, such as the trophy room, pitch side and the dressing rooms across a 90-minute time slot. There are also tours at Blackburn’s Ewood Park where you can visit the players' tunnel, the home and away changing rooms, the historic oak-paneled Boardroom, the corporate suites, and the Media Suite over the 90-minute tour. 

4. Axe Throwing and Archery 
Ready to channel your inner warrior? Axe throwing is a great way to get the blood pumping and you can do it across a number of fabulous venues in Lancashire. The recently opened Axes to Ashes in Colne offers axe and knife throwing experiences within Fun House Colne – where you can also find roller skating and golf simulators. Flying Axe Factory in Lancaster also provides a great indoor axe throwing venue within Kanteena. The Anderton Centre offers outdoor axe throwing and archery in the colder months when they provide you with hot chocolate and toasted marshmallows to warm up!  

5.Go Ape & Climbing  
Experience the thrill of heights as you take on Go Ape high rope experiences at either Blackburn’s Witton Park or Rivington near Chorley. Nip through the trees, cross wobbly bridges, fly down zip wires and more, as you enjoy time amongst the tops of the trees. Both locations offer plenty of additional fun with walking routes, play areas and more to explore. Back for autumn 2025, experience Go Ape Blackburn will offer their sundown adventures. Tackle tree-top crossings and epic ziplines, after dark and under glowing lights!
If you catch the bug for exploring new heights, Lancashire has a multitude of places that offer climbing walls, bouldering and other climbing based challenges, perfect for all the family to get involved in.

6. Golf & Crazy Golf 
The North West coastline is known for being home to some of the best golf courses in the UK, with areas in and around Lancashire referred to as “England's Golf Coast.” While you won't be able to tee off at the Royal Lytham St Annes course without being a member, its proximity has resulted in several exquisite courses popping up nearby. Try out Fairhaven Golf Club, St Annes Old Links, Staining Lodge, Whalley and Longridge to name a few! 
If a more causal swing is your thing, there are plenty of spots across Lancashire where you can enjoy mini golf too. Challenge your loved ones for a game at The Flower Bowl Entertainment Centre, enjoy a wizarding adventure at The Hole in Wand Blackpool or head to Happy Mount Park for a pirate themed course. 

7. Cycling  & Trial Biking
The Lancashire landscape just cries out to be explored by bike, with the many miles of quiet roads and tracks that pass through stunning countryside. You'll even find many dedicated bike routes, like Ways Around the Bay, as well as canal paths and bike lanes on roads, designed to help exploring easier. If mountain biking is your thing, then you can also find some great places to hit the tracks in Gisburn Forest, Lee Quarry and Healey Nab. 
To really get the adrenaline pumping, Inch Perfect Trials offer trial biking experiences, whether you are new to motorcycle trial riding or are a seasoned rider. Even if you have never ridden a bike before it's no problem, the team can help! 

8. Padel Tennis 
It's likely you’ll have heard a lot about Padel in recent years. It has taken the nation by storm and Lancashire is no exception. If you need to get your padel fix when you are in the county, you can find a number of courts. Recent additions include Fairhaven Lake, Lowther Gardens, Just Padel, Boughton Padel and West View Leisure Centre courts in Preston. There are more courts planned for areas across the Ribble Valley and East Lancashire too.  

9. Darts  
In July, Blackpool hosted The World Matchplay Championship at the Winter Gardens. It was a great show, but if you want to try it for yourself, you can find dart boards at entertainment venues across Lancashire. Red Rose Bowling in Preston has recently added its very own dedicated interactive dart room. You can also find interactive dart boards at Level Preston alongside their bowling and laser quest rooms. There are rooms in Blackpool too, and some Lancashire pubs have their own dart boards too.  

10. Curling 
Curling grew in popularity after the winter Olympics in 2022 and with it being such an accessible sport, it's easy to understand why. In Lancashire we’re proud to have one of the only dedicated curling rinks in the country at the Flower Bowl Entertainment Centre, and what's more – you can try the sport with your family and friends during a visit! The rink is open to all ages and abilities, professionals and novices alike with taster sessions, lessons and mini curling for those new to the sport and curling coaching and clubs to those who are looking to improve or join a team. The centre also offers bowling, mini golf, mini pool and a cinema, as well as two restaurants and is fully accessible to those with mobility needs.  

So what are you waiting for? Get outside and start moving in Lancashire. For more information on other ways to get sporty in the county click here.