
Accrington
The vibrant town of Accrington lies in Hyndburn in the heart of Pennine Lancashire. This small market town is famous for manufacturing the hardest building bricks in the world. These have been used in Blackpool Tower and The Empire State Building! Accrington is great for shopping, with fabulous independent boutiques, 21st century Arndale Shopping Centre and 19th century Victoria Market Hall. Bargain hunters should pay a visit to nearby Oswaldtwistle Mills, housed in five former weaving sheds, which has over 80 discount outlets.
For a relaxing day out why not try visiting Howarth art gallery, Lancashire’s finest Arts & Crafts house and garden. Designed by the architect Walter Brierley, Haworth art gallery is set on a dramatic hillside, and provides an intimate setting for paintings and decorative art objects.
Or if you are looking to make a weekend of it, try a relaxing stay at the Mercure Dunkenhalgh – a hotel and spa set inside a beautiful 700-year old country manor house.
No visit to Accrington is complete without exploring its picturesque surrounding countryside. Serious walkers will revel in the 31-mile circular Hyndburn Clog, which passes through remarkably diverse countryside and offers spectacular views of the scenic Hill Country. But if you just fancy a short stroll, the walk is broken down into seven manageable stages!
Or try Canal Clog which connects parts of the Hyndburn Clog with the Leeds and Liverpool Canal towpath.