Accrington

Day Trips

Arrive in Accrington and settle into your accommodation overlooking the town centre. Step out to Accrington Market to browse vibrant stalls filled with fresh produce and local crafts. Chat with friendly vendors while sampling artisanal treats.

Head to a nearby café for a hearty Lancashire luncheon and sip on locally roasted coffee. Wander through the pedestrianised streets to admire period architecture and pick up unique souvenirs. Pause for photos at the landmark Haworth Art Gallery from the outside and plan your visit for another day.

Join locals at a cozy pub for a traditional Lancashire hotpot paired with regional ales. Enjoy live acoustic music or quiz night in the convivial atmosphere. Finish the evening with a moonlit stroll along the canal towpath nearby.

Visit Haworth Art Gallery to admire its renowned Italian Renaissance paintings and local art collections. Learn about Amelia Haworth’s philanthropy and the gallery’s industrial heritage. Wander the surrounding grounds to enjoy Victorian ornamentation and gardens.

Cross over to Accrington Town Hall to see its impressive clock tower and ornate interior. Take a guided heritage trail around the Market Hall and war memorial. Pop into a nearby charity shop or independent boutique along Blackburn Road.

Dine at a riverside bistro serving modern British fare with a Lancashire twist. Sample a rich Lancashire cheese board before indulging in a sticky toffee pudding. Cap the night in a stylish coffee bar with decadent desserts and late-night jazz.

Explore the remnants of Accrington’s brickmaking legacy with a visit to the old brickworks site and local archive displays. Read about the famous ‘Accrington NORI’ engineering clay that shaped the town’s industrial boom. Walk the perimeter trails that reveal chimney stacks and heritage signage.

Relax in Peel Park, a lush green space with listed monuments and ornamental flower beds. Rent a bike or enjoy a lakeside picnic by the boating pond. Spot local birdlife and chat with families playing in the children’s adventure playground.

Seek out an authentic curry house frequented by locals and sample spicy delights from across the Indian subcontinent. Pair your meal with a chilled lager or traditional lassi. Take a post-dinner wander under softly lit street lamps towards the historic Wham Stadium.

Tour the Wham Stadium, home of Accrington Stanley FC, and learn about the club’s storied history. Peek into the trophy room, change rooms and press area on a guided behind-the-scenes visit. Pose for photos beside the dugout and perimeter advertising boards.

Enjoy a leisurely walk along the banks of the River Hyndburn, admiring sculptural art installations and riverside benches. Stop at a café with river views for a light lunch and cake. Continue downstream to spot wildlife and historic mill structures.

Return to the stadium for an evening match if fixtures permit, soaking up the electric local support. Otherwise, dine at a sports bar to relive memorable goals and club legends. Finish with a nightcap at a nearby gastropub popular with matchgoers.

Drive or cycle to the neighbouring village of Oswaldtwistle to visit the British Textile Experience museum. Learn hands-on weaving techniques and regional textile heritage. Wander through interactive displays in an atmospheric former factory hall.

Head to Baxenden Reservoir for a scenic hike along peaceful woodland trails. Pack a picnic to enjoy lakeside looking out over rolling Lancashire hills. Use binoculars to spot birds and small mammals in their natural habitat.

Return to Accrington and sample traditional fish and chips by the canal at an award-winning chippy. Stroll past industrial-era mills now repurposed as apartments with riverside walkways. Unwind at your accommodation with a hot chocolate or herbal tea.

Join a hands-on cooking workshop to make classic Lancashire dishes such as butter pie and Lancashire cheese scones. Learn from a local chef about sourcing seasonal ingredients. Take home recipes and freshly baked treats to enjoy later.

Browse the independent shops on Blackburn Road, from artisan chocolatiers to bespoke jewellers. Stop for lunch at a farm-to-table eatery highlighting North West produce. Sample gourmet ice cream made on the premises.

Indulge in a spa treatment or massage at a boutique wellness centre in the town. Relax in a sauna or thermal suite to ease tired muscles. Cap the night with a light supper of soup and crusty bread in the wellness lounge.

Admire the Grade II listed Accrington Railway Station building while capturing architectural details. Study vintage photographs and plaques celebrating the town’s rail heritage. Enjoy a coffee in the station café overlooking the platforms.

Catch a heritage steam train at nearby Rawtenstall for a nostalgic ride through the Lancashire countryside. Marvel at the views of moors and valleys from classic carriages. Disembark to explore the quaint town centre and local museum at the line’s terminus.

Dine aboard a stationary dining carriage transformed into a restaurant at Rawtenstall. Sample seasonal menus as you watch trains roll by through large panoramic windows. Return to Accrington by regular service and reflect on a day of rail nostalgia.

Visit St James’ Church to admire its stained glass windows, ornate woodwork and serene churchyard. Learn about its role at the heart of Accrington’s community for centuries. Take a moment to light a candle in remembrance.

Explore the Oswaldtwistle Craft Centre just outside town, home to artisan studios and galleries. Join a hands-on pottery or textile workshop and create your own souvenir. Browse handcrafted gifts before enjoying a cream tea in the venue’s café.

Attend an open-mic night or folk club at a local community hall to experience grassroots culture. Mingle with residents and amateur performers in a warm, welcoming environment. End the evening with a toasted marshmallow around an outdoor fire pit if the venue permits.

Travel to the base of Pendle Hill, famous for its stunning panoramas and folklore. Set off on the well-marked footpaths with sturdy boots and water. Listen to the wind whisper through heather-covered slopes.

Pause halfway up the ascent for a scenic picnic overlooking the Ribble Valley. Spot distant hills and patchwork fields stretching to the horizon. Resume your hike to the summit, breathing in crisp moorland air.

Descend to a nearby village pub at Barley or Newchurch for a well-earned dinner of local venison stew or fish pie. Toast your hike with a pint of handcrafted ale or cider. Return to Accrington under a sky full of stars reflected in the quiet country lanes.

Revisit your favourite spot in Accrington, whether that’s the market, park or art gallery. Pick up last-minute souvenirs like artisan cheese or handcrafted textiles. Enjoy a final coffee at a café terrace in town.

Take a leisurely stroll through Peel Park’s formal gardens and along the boating lake once more. Reflect on your journey as you relax on a park bench listening to birdsong. Head back to pack and prepare for departure.

Dine at a stylish fine-dining restaurant in Accrington’s revitalised canal quarter for a memorable farewell feast. Savor dishes crafted from seasonal Lancashire ingredients paired with local wines. End the evening with a stroll under atmospheric streetlights, bidding Accrington goodbye until next time.