The six week summer holidays are looming, and I can bet good money that for most parents out there, the annual ‘how will I keep the kids occupied for six whole weeks’ anxiety is beginning to kick in.

Well, if you’re based in the North West, fear not! 

With Lancashire right on our doorsteps, families will be spoiled for choice with fun, memorable and, most importantly, cost-effective activities to partake in this summer. Here’re some of the best ones…

The Wellbeing Farm / Facebook

The Wellbeing Farm Llama and Donkey Experience

Let’s start with one of the best ones – the Wellbeing Farm offers an incredible opportunity for families to come and interact with their resident llamas and donkeys.

Guests will get the chance to mingle with the animals as well as take them for a forty minute trail walk with the farm’s very own Dr. Dolittle, who will answer all your animal queries.

Tickets for the experience are £35 per person, and children must be aged ten or over.

Book your day out here.

Wellbeing Farm, Plantation Road, Edgworth, Lancashire, BL7 0BY

Samlesbury Hall

Preston’s very own Samlesbury Hall is offering a wide range of activities to keep the children and adults entertained this summer. Guests can take a tour with one of the Hall’s characterful guides, play in the hidden Mayflower playground, or meet the whole menagerie of adorable animals that take residence
on the grounds.

After all that fun, Dottie’s Wafflery will also be on hand for tasty treats and hot tea.

For tickets and more info, click here.

Samlesbury Hall, Preston New Road, Samlesbury, Preston, Lancashire, PR5 0UP

Visit Lancashire

Heritage Tram Tours

There’s nothing quite as iconic as the Blackpool trams – and now, you and the rest of the family can enjoy a unique experience on one of the original Heritage trams.

Travel the length of Blackpool’s famous coastline on one of these lovingly retained and restored
trams, many of which are over eighty years old.

Book tickets, which are priced at an affordable £6 per person, for your tour here.

Rigby Road, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY1 5DD

Windmill Animal Farm

This farm will give you and the family an authentic look into life on a working farm, as well as the opportunity to interact with and feed the resident animals.

As well as this, the farm also boasts three marvellous children’s play areas, with an on-site cafe offering hot and cold meals – though guests are also allowed to bring their own food to enjoy a picnic on the grounds.

Adult tickets are £7.95, while children tickets are £8.95 – under 1s go in free. 

Visit the website here for more information.

Visit Lancashire

Ribble Valley Bike Trail

The best way to explore the stunning Lancashire countryside is by E-bike – you and the rest of the family can hire a Ribble Valley E-bike from a number of destinations such as The Inn at Whitewell, The Red Pump Inn, The Spread Eagle at Sawley, and Gisburn Forest Hub. 

They can even be delivered to a specified location. 

Perfect for cyclists of all abilities, these E-bikes will give you the gusto to tackle the hills, fells and forests that make up Lancashire’s iconic landscape. 

Visit the website here for hire prices and availability. 

Dunsop Bridge, Clitheroe, Lancashire, BB7 3BB

The Honeybee Experience at the Bee Centre

For ninety minutes, you and the family will don real beekeeping suits and learn everything there is to know about the art of beekeeping, honey and pollonation.

The Honeybee Experience will teach you all about the honeybee and beekeeping techniques from an experienced beekeeper, all while being up close and personal with the bees in their hive.

You’ll also see the bees bringing nectar and pollen back to the hive, making honey, building honeycomb and doing their famous ‘waggle dance.’

Click here for bookings and more information.

Brindle Distillery, Holmes Farm, Sandy Lane, Brindle, Chorley, Lancashire, PR6 8LZ

Bowland Wild Boar Park

Bowland Wild Boar Park

From meercats, owls and boars, to chicks, lambs and llamas, there’s a whole array of wonderful animals to meet and interact with, as well as habitats and nature trails to explore.

Families can explore the sixty-two acres by foot or by unique tractor rides – there will also be the opportunity to refuel in the farm’s newly-refurbished café and Ice Cream Parlor.

Click here for more information.

Forest of Bowland, Chipping, Lancashire, PR3 2QT

Mrs Dowsons Visitor Centre & Farm

Another one for the animal lovers – at Mrs. Dowsons Farm, they are passionate about giving their visitors the opportunity to see, touch and engage with their friendly farm animals, explore the countryside and experience a real working farm.

They also make their own award-winning ice cream using fresh milk from their farm dairy, which will be a fantastic treat on a warm day.

Click here for more information.

Hawkshaw Farm, Longsight Road, Clayton Le Dale, Blackburn, Lancashire, BB2 7JA

Thornton Hall Country Park

Thornton Hall Country Park

At the Thornton Hall Country Park, families can meet with the friendly farm animals and take part in activities such as lamb feeding and rabbit holding. Tractor rides through the fields are also on offer, as is an indoor play area featuring giant slides.

There is also a cafe on site, dishing up delicious burgers and pizzas for the whole family to enjoy. 

You can find more details here.

Thornton-in-Craven, Nr Barnoldswick, Lancashire, BD23 3TS

Go Ape Rivington

The UK’s number 1 forest adventure challenge, Go Ape offers award-winning outdoor adventure activities for all the family.  

Boasting Tarzan swings, tree-top obstacle courses and giant zip lines, Go Ape is guaranteed to be a fantastic day out. 

Children need to be a minimum of ten years old to take part with a height of at least 4ft7″.

Check out their website here for more details. 

Go Ape Rivington, Rivington Lane, Rivington, Bolton, Lancashire, BL6 7SB