Focus on Lancashire in winter

Making the most of your winter lodge holiday in Lancashire

We know we are biased but we can’t think of a better area to explore this winter than Lancashire, from rare wildlife to a dynamic and exciting food and drink scene, and from coast to woodland, canalside to beach – there’s so much to make your winter lodge holiday in Lancashire one to remember.

Here are our Lancashire in winter highlights…

Winter links golf

We are situated just a short drive from the England’s golf coast, which offers fantastic links golf right through the winter. Fairhaven, Hillside, Royal Birkdale, Royal Lytham, Southport & Ainsdale, Formby, Hesketh and many more. It’s a long and distinguished list, and with reduced green fees for winter rounds, you can put yourself in the golf shoes of Open champions and Walker Cup winners without blowing your budget. Royal Birkdale holds the honour of England’s number one golf club and sits among the top 35 in the world, and it’s £50 less per round in the off season.

Winter wildlife at Leighton Moss

Leighton Moss is the largest reedbed in the North West and a fantastic place for birdwatching. Winter is the time to spot the teals, shovelers and gadwalls, who join the resident ducks in the pools. Bitterns and water rails can be seen out on the ice during cold spells. Flocks of siskins feed in the alders while flocks of wigeons and greylag geese graze the saltmarsh at the Allen and Eric Morecambe pools. They are regularly disturbed by wintering peregrines and merlins. You can choose from a selection of trails and hides, many of which are suitable for wheelchairs, or you can follow the nature trail alongside the two coastal lagoons. The reserve is open dawn until dusk each day and the visitor centre opens 9.30 am to 5 pm (4.30 pm in December and January).

Farmers markets

We have a great selection of farmers markets in Lancashire. You’ll find farmers and growers, bakers, confectioners and craftspeople selling all manner of food, drink and associated goods. Hoghton Tower is one of our favourites (held on the third Sunday of each month from 10am to 2pm) as you can take in the house, gardens and tearoom at the same time. Closer to the lodges, you can head to Nether Kellet’s village hall on the second Sunday of every month between 11am and 3pm.

Winter walks

Lancashire is a walker’s paradise and this choice of nine routes for all (none are longer than 14km) takes you from urban Lancaster to the Bowland Fells and the gorgeous Morecambe Bay: “in between are breezy shorelines, handsome woodlands, gentle pastures and much more. Underlining Lancaster’s intimate links with the surrounding countryside, two of the walks start in the heart of the city. The others take in the broad sweep of the Lune Valley and exploit Lancaster’s stake in not one but two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.” The difficulty will be picking which route to walk first!

We’re looking forward to welcoming you this winter!

Sheryl, Paul & the Lakeland Lodges team