Platform Gallery
If you’re on the hunt for a budget-friendly day out, Lancashire is the perfect place to explore. We’ve brought together a range of free things to do, ideal for those moments when you’re looking to get out and about without spending a fortune. From acres of beautiful countryside and scenic walking and cycling routes to bustling market towns, historic houses and art galleries – many with free admission – there’s plenty to discover for all ages. With so much to see and do, enjoying Lancashire doesn’t have to cost a thing.
While every effort has been made to include free experiences, please note that small charges, such as parking, may still apply in some locations.
There’s not long to go before Lancaster reverberates to the sounds of one of the country’s biggest city centre music festivals! Find out more about the festival which runs form October 8-11 and its preview events.
Blackpool’s award-winning and renowned public light-art festival, Lightpool Festival returns this October half term (Wednesday 21st - Saturday 31st October 2026) - and celebrates its ten-year anniversary.
Horrockses is a name that many people in the city are likely to have heard, and for anyone in the world of fashion, it’s a name that they remember. The story of the brand is culturally significant for Britain, but why?
Penny Farm is a horse rescue and rehabilitation centre operated by the charity World Horse Welfare. They welcome visitors 3 days a week to meet the ponies & find out more…
Penny Farm is a horse rescue and rehabilitation centre operated by the charity World Horse Welfare. They welcome visitors 3 days a week to meet the ponies & find out more about the work of the charity.
Read MoreExplore 900 years of Lancashire's history in one place; a place full of stories about the people, landscapes, culture and events that have shaped this historic county.
Read MoreOswaldtwistle Mills is dedicated to providing exceptional service and a memorable visit.
Read MoreRivington Pike is one of the north of England's best viewpoints. The historic tower is reputed to date as far back as far as 1138 and boasts breath-taking views of Rivington and beyond.
Read MoreBeacon Country Park is a flagship countryside site, consisting of over 300 acres of rolling countryside spread across the slopes of Ashurst Beacon between Upholland, Dalton and Skelmersdale.
Read MoreDate From:
Date To:
Date: 26th Sept 2026
Neville Stack was one of the most celebrated aviators of the inter-war period.
Read MoreDate: 28th Sept 2026
Neville Stack was one of the most celebrated aviators of the inter-war period.
Read MoreDates: 6th Jul 2026 - 28th Sept 2026
An exhibition of heritage crafts.
Read MoreDate: 20th Sept 2026
Visit and watch a ceremony take place, chat to recommended suppliers and the wedding team.
Read MoreDate: 2nd Oct 2026
Neville Stack was one of the most celebrated aviators of the inter-war period.
Read MoreDurationThree Days
A fantastic three-day road trip to explore north Lancashire and some of the filming locations found there.
Read MoreDuration1 hour 30 mins
Distance2 miles
On a clear day the Isle of Man and the hills of North Wales can be seen from Darwen Tower. The Tower celebrates Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897 and to many local people it also celebrated the freeing of Darwen Moor in the previous year.
Read MoreDistance4.5 miles
Take in some simply breath-taking country views around Samlesbury, and witness a whole range of wildlife.
Read MoreDuration3 - 4 hours
Distance4.5 Miles
Although much more associated with Yorkshire, The Brontë sisters actually spent much of their lives in Lancashire walking from the family home at Haworth across the South Pennine Moors.
Read MoreDuration2 hours 30 mins
Distance5.5 miles
Many areas in the UK claim to have inspired J.R.R Tolkien creation of middle earth but the author certainly spent a lot of his time at Stonyhurst College working on The Lord of the Rings during the Second World War.
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