Lancashire is easily one of the UK’s most varied and interesting counties. You’ve got coast, city, and countryside attractions here – and it’s often rivaled by Yorkshire. Did you know that both regions refer to themselves as “God’s Own Country”?
Whether you’ve been to Lancashire before or have only ever eaten a little bit of the local hot pot, there are plenty of fascinating things about the region that are well worth clueing up. Here are some of the most interesting facts about Lancashire which might just fascinate you.
1. It’s a northern English county.
Lancashire is a famous county in North West England. It is bordered by Cumbria to the north, Greater Manchester and Merseyside to the south, and North and West Yorkshire to the east, with the Irish Sea to the west.
2. The county has its own day!
Lancashire Day is an important date in the local calendar. It falls on the 27th of November each year, and it actually marks the date that the county first sent MPs to parliament.
While this took place all the way back in 1295, it actually wasn’t celebrated for the first time until 1996.
3. Red roses lead the way for Lancashire.
Lancashire has its own symbol and emblem which you will likely see a lot on your travels across the county. It’s the Red Rose, which is traditionally the emblem of the House of Lancaster.
4. It has a very famous capital town, or county town.
The county town of Lancaster is known for its medieval Lancaster Castle. The castle served as a prison until 2011 and is one of the best-preserved castles in all of the UK!
The town is also known for its prestigious university, Lancaster University. It was founded in 1964, and is considered one of the top universities in the UK, known for its research and beautiful campus.
5. The population density here used to be staggering.
Lancashire once had a population of over five million people back in the early 1970s, but it now stands at around 1.4 million.
Why is this? It’s thanks to the county splitting off some of its towns and villages. The county was split up into various boundaries after 1974, as Liverpool and Manchester split off into their own regions.
6. The county also lost some land to its nemesis!
As well as the split-offs of Manchester and Liverpool, Lancs has also lost some of its land over in Yorkshire. It’s safe to say this was probably a bit of a controversial move!
7. It is one of the biggest shires in the Kingdom.
Lancs is by far one of the biggest counties ending in ‘shire’ – as it covers approximately 3,075 square miles. That’s a lot of coast and country to explore!
However, the biggest county in the UK, technically, is… Yorkshire. Lancs is bested by its rival in terms of size, though Yorkshire is split into several regions – North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, and the East Ridings.
8. It is still a relatively young county.
Lancashire is actually one of the youngest counties in the whole of the UK. We know this because its name isn’t present in surveys which took place in 1086. It was actually formed in 1182, and as stated, it was split up even further by the 20th century. It’s been through a lot of changes!
9. It’s at the heart of the country.
Lancashire is also thought to be the exact centre of the British Isles as a whole. Specifically, the most central point in the country is Dunsop Bridge, which you will find down in the Ribble Valley.
As you might imagine, Dunsop Bridge has become something of a tourist spot on its own!
10. It has a popular yet protected region.
There are only 30 different European Charter-protected areas in Europe, and Lancashire happens to host one of them. Proudly, it’s home to the stunning Forest of Bowland, which sees thousands of visitors each year.
The Forest of Bowland is truly huge – it’s actually around the same size as New York City! It’s over 800 square km in size and is truly unspoiled. No wonder it is so well-protected, then!
The forest is known for its heather-clad moorland, deep valleys, and diverse wildlife. It is also famous for the Trough of Bowland. The trough is a scenic valley and high pass in the forest. It is very popular with walkers and cyclists thanks to its incredible views.
11. It is a very rural county.
Much of Lancashire is actually rural. This goes some way to explain the relatively small population in comparison with the huge expanse of area.
In fact, 80% of Lancashire is said to be rural – meaning that while there are plenty of city pursuits around the area, it’s more likely you’ll find yourself walking through greenery.
12. It has the biggest and smallest towns.
Lancashire is unique in that it’s home to both the biggest and smallest towns in the UK. The biggest is Bolton, with a population of more than 260,000, and Bashall Town is the smallest!
13. The county played a huge role in the Industrial Revolution.
Lancs was also the epicentre of the Industrial Revolution, with the towns Burnley and Blackburn largely being responsible for kick-starting the era in the 18th century. This was largely thanks to local mills.
For example, cities such as Manchester, Preston, and Blackburn became important centres of textile manufacturing.
14. It’s home to some popular seaside adventures.
Blackpool is one of the most popular seaside towns in the north of England, and it is, of course, home to its famous Tower.
Blackpool Tower, believe it or not, takes approximately seven years to paint in full, and it took full inspiration from the Eiffel Tower over in Paris.
Blackpool’s Illuminations, too, are hugely popular. This yearly light display consumes over a million bulbs!
15. The county was the Workshop of the World!
You may have heard Lancashire be referred to as “the workshop of the world.” This is because, at its peak, the county produced 85% of the world’s cotton textiles! In doing so, it earned its appropriate nickname.
16. Lancashire is also known for its witch trials.
In particular, the county witnessed and endured the Pendle Witch Trials of 1612. These particular trials saw ten people from the area executed for witchcraft. Obviously, it was a significant historical event that is still remembered and commemorated locally.
If you are interested in learning more about the Pendle Witches, the Pendle Witchcraft and Natural History Museum in Newchurch-in-Pendle is the perfect place to go. It explores the history of the Pendle Witches as well as local folklore.
You can also visit Pendle Hill, a prominent landmark associated with the Pendle Witch Trials, which also offers panoramic views and is popular for walking and hiking.
17. Preston has been a city here for a relatively short time.
One of the nicest cities in Lancashire, Preston, was only granted city status in 2002, as part of Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee celebrations.
The city is known for its Guild Hall, the Harris Museum, and a rich industrial heritage. Long before its city status, of course, the area was also known for its football team, Preston North End.
18. The county is absolutely heaven for foodies.
As mentioned above, you may have heard of the Lancashire hotpot. This traditional Lancashire dish consists of lamb or mutton, onions, and potatoes, all baked together. It is truly a beloved comfort food in the region, and, when well made, is absolutely delicious! Perfect for cold winter days in the north.
Elsewhere in the county, you can tuck into odd delicacies such as black pudding, parkin, and Morecambe fish dishes.
19. The county is also broadly famous for its football.
Of course, a great many people know Lancashire mainly for its football, or soccer! The county is home to several historic football clubs. For example, Blackburn Rovers, Burnley FC, and Preston North End, a founding member of the Football League in 1888, all hail from Lancashire!
20. Ribble Valley is one of the most beautiful parts of the county.
The Ribble Valley is famous for its picturesque countryside, the historic market town of Clitheroe, and landmarks like Clitheroe Castle, which dates back to the 12th century.
The area is also known for being home to Stonyhurst College. This particular college is a Roman Catholic independent school with a history dating all the way back to 1593! Some of the school’s famous alumni include Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, famous for being the author of the Sherlock Holmes series!
21. Lancashire is also home to the Ashton Memorial.
We have all heard of the Taj Mahal and its beautiful backstory, but have you ever heard of the Ashton Memorial? Located in Williamson Park in Lancaster, the Ashton Memorial is a stunning Edwardian baroque memorial built by Lord Ashton in memory of his wife. The Taj Mahal has a similar story behind it!
22. It is a market town county.
Many people from all over the country come to Lancashire to experience some of its beautiful markets.
Thankfully, there are many to choose from. For example, Lancashire boasts several charming market towns, including Ormskirk, known for its gingerbread, and Garstang, which was the world’s first Fairtrade town!
23. The county has many different canals.
Lancashire is pretty much covered in canals! For example, the Leeds and Liverpool Canal cross through the county.
These canals have been incredibly important to the county’s history, as they played a crucial role in the industrial transportation of goods.
However, none are quite as important as the Lancaster Canal. Stretching over 57 miles, the canal offers scenic routes for boating, walking, and cycling, connecting Preston to Kendal.
24. You can find Morecambe Bay by the sea.
Morecambe Bay is an estuary located in Lancashire. The area is known for its vast tidal flats and sands. It is a stunning natural area, popular for birdwatching and seafood, particularly Morecambe Bay shrimps.
25. Lancashire is also brick country!
Believe it or not, one of the most famous things about Lancashire is its bricks! The bricks from Accrington, in particular, have a very good reputation.
Known for being sturdy and long-lasting, thousands of them were even used to build the Empire State Building in New York City!
The town is also known for its football club, Accrington Stanley.
26. Many come to visit Samlesbury Hall.
Samlesbury Hall is well-known in the area and is becoming increasingly famous around the world!
This stunning historic house dates back to the 14th century and is thought to be haunted!
If you would like to get a glimpse into the county’s past and maybe meet a ghost or two, you’ll be glad to know that there are guided tours of the house and that they are completely free.
27. The county produces some delicious cheese.
Aside from its fabulous hot pots, Lancashire is also famous for its cheese! Indeed, Lancashire cheese is a traditional cheese known for its crumbly texture and creamy flavour. It works well in any sandwich, on any cheeseboard, and is often enjoyed in a classic Lancashire cheese and onion pie.
28. The county boasts a great many natural wonders.
While we’ve already talked about the great forest in Lancashire, it is important to know that the county has multiple stunning natural areas!
For example, Beacon Fell Country Park offers panoramic views over the Lancashire countryside and is a popular spot for hiking and picnicking.
Warton Crag is another wonderful area. It is a prominent limestone hill offering archaeological sites and a nature reserve with diverse flora and fauna.
There’s also the West Pennine Moors, which offers a wonderfully rugged landscape of moorland and reservoirs, again ideal for outdoor activities like hiking, cycling, and birdwatching.
29. The county also has plenty of historic landmarks.
We have talked about a few important historic landmarks in Lancashire already, but there are so many to see!
For example, you can visit several historic abbeys, including Whalley Abbey, which dates back to the 14th century.
There’s also Lancaster Priory, a historic church located near Lancaster Castle. It has been a site of Christian worship for over 1,000 years!
You can also see Winmarleigh Hall, a Victorian manor house, or Darwen Tower, also known as Jubilee Tower. This hilltop structure offers sweeping views of the Lancashire countryside and commemorates Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee.
30. It’s home to the UK’s very first KFC!
Kentucky Fried Chicken first arrived on British shores all the way back in 1965, and it happened to open in Preston, specifically on Fishergate.
Believe it or not, the Preston branch is still there – meaning if you have a hankering for some fried chicken, you’ll be tasting history at the same time if you visit!
31. One of the world’s biggest crabs once took residence here!
Weirdly enough, Blackpool was home to a crab with the longest legs in the world, for a time – in particular, it was Big Daddy, a resident at Blackpool’s Sea Life Centre, that had an impressive leg span of 1.43 metres long!
Big Daddy was measured back in 2013, and as such, was a record-breaker for the time!
32. It was also home to a record-breaking rollercoaster.
Blackpool’s well-known for its vacation sights and sounds, and certainly for its theme park attractions. In particular, Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s “Big One” rollercoaster used to be the tallest of its kind until at least 1996.
And, yes – while it’s no longer the tallest ride on the planet, you can still take a ride here when you visit the Pleasure Beach.
33. It’s thought Lancashire helped to inspire the Lord of the Rings.
JRR Tolkien’s world-famous Lord of the Rings series of books was, supposedly, inspired by scenes and locations around the Ribble Valley, and specifically around Stonyhurst College.
So – if you really want to get as close as possible to Middle Earth, it’s worth taking a trip out to Ribble! Book a flight and watch out for Hobbits!
FAQs About Lancashire
Why is Lancashire famous?
Lancashire is famous for its cheese, stunning natural areas, and fascinating history. Although, around the world, the county has probably become best known for being the home of the animated characters Wallace and Gromit!
What did Lancashire used to be called?
Lancashire used to be known as the County of Lancaster. Today, however, Lancaster is merely the county capital. That said, Lancaster is still a famous area known for its cathedral.
Who is the most famous person from Lancashire?
Although Lancashire has provided many famous people, some of the most notable Lancs-born celebrities include Sir Ian McKellen, Wallace and Gromit creator Nick Park, Eric Morecambe, Jane Horrocks, Thora Hird, Tyson Fury, and Ian McShane.
Further reading
https://www.visitlancashire.com/
https://www.britannica.com/place/Lancashire-county-England
Do you know any interesting facts about Lancashire? Share them in the comments below!
