Explore Lancashire's countryside over sunny bank holiday
Lancashire County Council's wealth of countryside sites, picnic spots and nature reserves mean you need look no further than your own back yard to enjoy the outdoors over the bank holiday.

Whatever your corner of the county, you're never far from a great place to explore and enjoy the sunshine.

Wycoller Country Park in Pendle is one of the prettiest country parks in Lancashire, with many footpaths leading to local beauty spots. The area is famous for its association with the Brontë sisters who referred to many of the nearby landmarks in books such as Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre.

Beacon Fell Country Park, on the southern edge of the Ribble Valley, offer miles of woodland walks, including a trail featuring a number of sculptures carved by local artist Thompson Dagnall. There's also a visitor centre and café, and an area designated area for BBQs.

You can also find picnic sites near Lancaster, Carnforth, Clitheroe, Ribchester, and Scorton, and nature reserves near Preston, Chorley, and Silverdale.

County Councillor Albert Atkinson, deputy leader of Lancashire County Council, said: "We're very lucky in Lancashire to have such wonderful countryside right on our doorstep, and there will never be a better chance to enjoy it than this weekend.

"The county council has a great diversity of much-loved countryside sites, and it's well worth considering them for a visit, particularly if there's one you haven't tried yet.

"All we would ask is that people respect them by leaving them as they found them, put their litter in the bin or take it home, don't start fires, and follow any advice on signs specific to each site.

"You can find information about our countryside sites on the council's website by searching for country parks at www.lancashire.gov.uk."