Lancashire is a region that has everything. Wild walks, vibrant towns and an amazing coastline. There are a myriad of pubs, shops and independent stores and just about anything you’d ever want or need, as well as fascinating and varied historical background.
Naturally, living here isn’t just about fun and games, in fact, earlier in the year, Morecambe was found to receive the most rain in England. However, Lancashire is a place that draws people back from far-off corners of the globe.
Here are the reasons why Lancashire is the happiest place to live:
It’s the absolute best place to live
No, we’re not in any way biased. Perhaps a little. Lancashire has more than one spot in the county that has been voted the most desirable place to live and work.
This year, Trawden, a tiny village in the ‘unheard area of Lancashire was chosen as the most desirable place to live in the North West. The village , which is situated near Colne was chosen by judges for the prestigious Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide, following a thorough review of the area’s schools, transportation and broadband to culture, green spaces as well as the health of the high street.
Preston was also chosen as the most desirable place for people to work and live in the North West in the Demos-PWC Good Growth for Cities Index earlier in the year. It’s the third time in consecutive years when Preston has been voted the best city in Lancashire city has won this title, and was above average in many categories that the public think are most important when it comes to economic wellbeing.
These include the availability of jobs, the positive life balance, the talents of the population and the variety of roles on offer. Of course, we don’t have to prove that Lancashire is the most desirable area to live in however it’s nice to have the evidence to support it.
The rolling hills
Some might think Lancashire is rough because it is just a few miles in the vicinity of some of the striking landscapes of the country (yes you’re talking about Lake District) but Lancashire is blessed with gems of its own.
We too have our own stunning rolling hills like that of the Forest of Bowland, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (the part that’s in Yorkshire isn’t counted).
The Forest of Bowland is for the majority of time surrounded by many miles fields and rolling hills, which means there are plenty of breathtaking scenic walks for anyone to enjoy You might even spot a pub at the end one or two of them.
In the center of the county in the heart of the county are Longridge Fell and Beacon Fell which both offer spectacular perspectives of surrounding counties, when it is a sunny day, of course. Who can forget the famed Pendle Hill which is only about 165 feet away from being called the mountain. However, even in the harsh Lancashire weather the hilly landscapes are amazing.
The Coastline has won awards for its beauty
If hills don’t do it for you, take a look to westwards in our gorgeous county will reveal the numerous award-winning beaches of Blackpool, Lytham St Annes and Morecambe.
On a sunny day it is possible to see the hills of Lakes as well as the Isle of Man and even Wales can be seen from our shoreline. It is the Lancashire Coastal Way stretches stretches across 137 miles starting from Merseyside through Cumbria.
It is believed that the Lancashire coastline is comprised of many different landscapes, the limestone scenery of Arnside and Silverdale, saltmarshes, architectural beaches, land, and the river estuaries of the Lune, Wyre and Ribble, meaning if you’re not a fan of walking in the hills, then you can walk along the coast instead.
The beaches along the coast are some of best in the country, with awards being handed to beaches in Morecambe, Fleetwood and Blackpool This brings us on to point number two.
Blackpool
It’s not a secret that Blackpool differs in opinion across Lancashire. Some can’t stand the place, citing it as outdated and shabby. Some (like me) have a love affair with the beach resort and all its oddities.
Blackpool has been a magnet for millions of tourist for generations, and families return year after years to experience what Blackpool has to offer. Blackpool is the only seaside resort in UK to have three piers, each having their own bar, and other attractions. One of them even has a mini-theme park. Squires Gate, now known as Blackpool International Airport, was the first airport in the United Kingdom.
The tower is what makes the resort the Paris of north (no I’m not disputing this) and every other county can boast of the number of Strictly Come Dancing stars making an effort to perform in the unique sprung floor ballroom.
You could talk for hours about how much I love Blackpool I’m certain others could do the same about how much people hate the town however the fact remains there’s nothing else as good as it.
A rich history, including KFC
Lancashire has its own unique history, from its foundation in 1183. The mill towns of Blackburn as well as Burnley were the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution in the 18th century. In 1764, Spinning Jenny was invented in 1764. Spinning Jenny was invented by James Hargreaves a cotton weaver who was from Stanhill near Oswaldtwistle which revolutionized the production of cotton.
In the northern part of the county The trial of the Pendle Witches in Lancaster in 1612 is one of the United Kingdom’s most well-known witch hunt. In 2012 Lancashire marked it’s 400th Centenary.
A little more sweet, Jelly Babies were though to have begun their journey with the Lancashire town Nelson. The sweets were first being produced in the hands of Thomas Fryer and his sweet company in the 19th century. Thomas Fryer was born in Barrowford in 1841 and in 1864 he opened a sweetshop on Colne Road.
Numerous famous people were born in this wonderful county, including George Booth (George Formby) who was born in Wigan in 1904, Jimmy Clitheroe, who was born in Clitheroe in 1921 and of course Eric Morcambe who was born in Morcambe in 1926. It’s hard to forget that the first KFC was launched right on the high street in Preston.
Great friendly people
Everyone knows that Lancashire people are among the most friendly people you’ll ever meet.
The news is full of many stories of people joining together in times need, particularly in the Covid-19 pandemic which saw cities establish food banks, Covid safe meeting places, and saw neighbours form bubbles to save people who had been isolated by order to stay at home.
Throughout Lancashire are a myriad of towns and villages where they wouldn’t bat an eye at being offered an ice-cold cup of sugar, and in recent years towns like Burnley and Lancaster are both considered to be the most friendly towns in the UK.
Our local cuisine
The county has come up with some dishes that have stayed with us throughout time. Butter Pie, for instance would be eaten on a Friday, a day when meat was not intended to be eaten during the time of Lancashire’s Catholics. Nowadays you’ll find it all offered at all times across the county in traditional bakeries, farms shops, and even during football games.
Everyone can remember Chorley cakes. The less-known cousin of that of Eccles cakes, Chorley cakes with cinnamon with sugar and currants. They are then covered with flaky, buttery dough and baked. They also have the glaze is made of eggs whites and sugar which gives them an enjoyable crunch.
There’s an authentic Lancashire Hotpot, which has been a staple for the county since the 19th century. The dish is thought to have originated during the peak of the cotton industry and the simple food that would have been left to cook slowly all day long, ready for hungry cotton workers after the completion of their shift.
I could continue to even include Black Pudding made from Haslingden, or Corned Beef Hash or Parkin the list is endless.
Musicians
Sometimes overlooked in comparison to our bigger and bolder neighbors of Manchester and Merseyside Many people forget that Lancashire has produced its own host of music geniuses.
Did you know Rick Astley is from Newton-le-Willows? The “Never Gonna Let You Go singer is one of many world class musicians that have come out of Lancashire. Although the town might not be Lancashire after the late 1970s boundary reviews, with Rick born during the time of the county of the red roses and we’re certain to be calling him.
Famous tenor Alfie Boe is from Fleetwood, while Rae Morris is from Blackpool. X-Factor hopeful Dianna Vickers is originally from Accrington.
Kevin Simm is also from Chorley. The singer was originally in Liberty X before winning The Voice UK and becoming the singer-in-chief of Wet Wet Wet. Fleetwood Mac’s Christine McVie is also from the village of Bouth. While now Cumbria, it was dear old Lancashire when she was a child when she was born.
It’s not Yorkshire
As I was sourcing inspiration for this article, this was the main things I was told. It is a reference to the centuries-old Lancashire/ Yorkshire rivalry However, when you examine it closely, you will discover that it is far more.
Lancashire as well as Yorkshire are two independent counties each with a wealth of things on offer, often getting combined as the North’. However, Lancashire is deserving of its own acknowledgment.
It’s a land that is rich in history, music gorgeous coats, beautiful scenery, rolling hills and everything we’ve mentioned previously. We have our own cuisine, our own tea bags. Our staff are the most friendly people you’ll ever meet. Lancashire isn’t just more beautiful than Yorkshire It’s the best location in the world, which is why we love it so much.
