East of England South East Scotland London South West Wales West Midlands North West NorthEast NorthernIreland Yorkshire and the Humber East Midlands

Arts and crafts in Lancashire

Lancashire (including Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool, Burnley, Chorley, Fylde, Hyndburn, Lancaster, Pendle, Preston, Ribble Valley, Rossendale, South Ribble, West Lancashire and Wyre) is in the North West of England. It has a population of around 1,460,000 and covers approximately 307,000 hectares. Here is a list of nearby or neighbouring counties: Cumbria, Derbyshire, Greater Manchester, North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire.

County flag of LancashireLancashire is named after the city of Lancaster, which is its county town, although the county council is in Preston. The area was once home to a Celtic tribe called the Brigantes and during the Roman Period towns such as Lancaster and Manchester were Roman forts. During the following centuries the land formed parts of various kingdoms and counties, until it came into existence as a county in its own right during the twelfth century. The Industrial Revolution began in Britain during the late eighteenth century and Lancashire became an important industrial and commercial region. The counties location, growing population and natural resources, such as fast flowing water and coal mines, fuelled the growth of textile production in the Lancashire Mill Towns and by the 1830s they manufactured more than eighty percent of the worlds cotton. Today visitors to Helmshore Mills Textile Museum can see demonstrations of carding and spinning and learn how raw wool and cotton were made into into yarn, to then be woven into cloth. During the Victorian era and the growth of the railways, the coastal town of Blackpool became a tourist resort for the counties workers and the town remains famous for attractions such as Blackpool Tower, the trams, piers, beaches and the illuminations, which are switched on each autumn. Away from the industrial areas, farming and fishing were important parts of the local economy. Performing arts venues in Lancashire include the Grand Theatre in Blackpool, the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, Lowther Pavilion in Lytham St Annes, Thwaites Empire Theatre in Blackburn, Preston Guild Hall and the Grand Theatre in Lancaster.

Lancashire ports were part of Britains global trade network in raw materials and manufactured goods, but with industrial decline the once busy docks have mostly been converted to none commercial uses and other industries have replaced them. Following boundary changes during the twentieth century, the borders of Lancashire shrank and the county no longer includes cities such as Manchester and Liverpool or areas that are now within Cumbria or Yorkshire counties. The Harris Museum is located in Preston and in addition to housing important local historical and archaeological artefacts and decorative arts, has an art collection which includes works by artists such as Stanley Spencer, George Frederic Watts and Lucian Freud. The artist perhaps most associated with Lancashire is L.S. Lowry, who painted scenes of local life peopled by figures often called matchstick men, though he was born and mostly lived and worked in Manchester which is no longer part of Lancashire. Visitors to Lancashire can also travel along the Irwell Sculpture Trail, which is Englands largest public arts scheme, running for thirty miles from Salford Quays to the Pennines and includes twentyeight works of art created by British and International artists. Other places you might like to visit in Lancashire include Samlesbury Hall, Lancaster Castle, the Museum of Lancashire in Preston, Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery, Astley Hall in Chorley, Pendle Heritage Centre, Gawthorpe Hall, the Ribble Valley and the Trough of Bowland.

Lowther gardens flower festival

Craft Fair

Lowther Gardens, Lytham St Annes, Lancashire

Saturday, 10 June 2023 (2 day event)

Lowther gardens flower festival

Craft Fair

Lowther Gardens, Lytham St Annes, Lancashire

Saturday, 10 June 2023 (2 day event)

Crafts and Gifts Market

Crafts and Gifts Market

Mercure Hotels, Greater Manchester, Castleton, Lancashire

Sunday, 11 June 2023

Scorton steam Rally

Craft Fair

Scorton Steam Rally, Scorton, Preston, Lancashire

Saturday, 17 June 2023 (2 day event)

GT Eccleston agricultural show

Craft Fair

Great Eccleston and District Agricultural Show, Great Eccleston, Lancashire

Saturday, 15 July 2023 (2 day event)

Lowther gdns ice cream festival

Craft Fair

Lowther Gardens, Lytham St Annes, Lancashire

Saturday, 22 July 2023 (2 day event)

Lowther gardens Food and drink festival

Craft Fair

Lowther Gardens, Lytham St Annes, Lancashire

Saturday, 26 August 2023 (3 day event)

Lowther gardens Food and drink festival

Craft Fair

Lowther Gardens, Lytham St Annes, Lancashire

Saturday, 26 August 2023 (3 day event)

Craft Fair

Craft Fair

Bedford Methodist Church, Leigh, Lancashire

Saturday, 9 September 2023

Lancs game and country fair

Craft Fair

Lancashire Game Fair, Hazelhead lane, Scorton, Lancashire

Saturday, 9 September 2023 (2 day event)

Brockholes visitors centre craft and gift fair

Craft Fair

Brockholes visitor village, Samlesbury, Preston, Lancashire

Sunday, 15 October 2023

Brockholes visitors centre craft and gift fair

Craft Fair

Brockholes visitor village, Samlesbury, Preston, Lancashire

Sunday, 15 October 2023

Pumpkins in the park craftgift

Craft Fair

Lowther Gardens, Lytham St Annes, Lancashire

Friday, 27 October 2023 (3 day event)

Mary Macs Herbal Infusions

Mary Macs Herbal Infusions

Wigan, Lancashire

I make herbal infusions using organic materials. Beard oils, stretch oil, salves for ...

The Ruby Nest

The Ruby Nest

Preston, Lancashire

We are an educational platform, supporting parents and caregivers with breastfeeding, ...

Anne Blanchard

Anne Blanchard

Accrington, Lancashire

I am inspired mainly by flora and fauna .My work often has a bright , eye catching background ...

SR Penmakers

Exhibitor

Bowness on Windermere, Lancashire

I have been making pens for several years, but in the last couple fof years Ive started ...

Captivate Designs

Captivate Designs

Charnock Richard, Lancashire

Here at Captivate we specialise in producing unique personalised designs in epoxy Resin. ...

Carramea Fashion

Carramea Fashion

Blackpool, Lancashire

I create gemstone and fashion jewellery and design silver jewellery which is created ...

Enchanted Forest Candle

Enchanted Forest Candle

Manchester, Lancashire

Enchanted Forest Candle opened its metaphorical doors in 2020. I have been endlessly ...

D Royle Pens

D Royle Pens

Ribchester, Lancashire

All items are hand turned by myself at home in the village of Ribchester. These items ...

Crafty Witches

Crafty Witches

Colne, Lancashire

I set up Crafty Witches to make bespoke pieces of wax tarts and candles in and colour ...

Beautify Life Art Elzbieta Bielecka

Beautify Life Art Elzbieta Bielecka

Nelson, Lancashire

Apparently nothing in Life happens without a reason and Buddhists say that good karma ...

Goodie Gifts

Goodie Gifts

Burnley, Lancashire

I make a range of items with sterling silver and some alloys, as well as handmade soaps ...

Jane Elisabeth Embroidered Textiles

Jane Elisabeth Embroidered Textiles

St Annes, Lancashire

I studied fashion design and embroidery in the sixties so I have been creating clothes ...

The Customs Project

The Customs Project

Lytham St Annes, Lancashire

I founded The Customs Project Ltd in January 2021. Creating the most unique and personalised ...

Mia Lilys Gifts and More

Mia Lilys Gifts and More

Blackpool, Lancashire

Mia Lilys Gifts and More is a small online business based in Blackpool. We sell handpoured ...

Silly Goose Crafts and Gifts

Silly Goose Crafts and Gifts

Skelmersdale, Lancashire

Silly Goose Crafts and Gifts develops small gifts really for any occasion. At the moment ...

artydi

artydi

StAnnes, Lancashire

THE SKITLETS story books are proving very popular with the younger children. These friendly ...

BLYNKI BOUTIQUE

BLYNKI BOUTIQUE

Carnforth, Lancashire

I had to take early retirement from being a Cancer Nurse and having being used to be ...

Fabric art by Aruna Mene

Fabric art by Aruna Mene

Bolton, Lancashire

I produce fabric collages on canvas with heat bonding. These are framed under glass. ...

Taylor and Gregory

Taylor and Gregory

Colne, Lancashire

Step into the world of Taylor and Gregory, a whimsical artisan business that celebrates ...

Lit and Lifestyle

Lit and Lifestyle

Weir, Lancashire

Lit and Lifestyle has emerged from Number 10 Literature + Lifestyle, an independent bookshop ...

Sarah Elstone

Sarah Elstone

Lytham, Lancashire

I am a beginner in the arts and crafts trade but I have loved drawing since i was a little ...

Michelle Roche

Michelle Roche

Blackpool, Lancashire

Hello I’m Michelle and together with my partner Ray we offer a variety of bespoke gift ...

Helenzart 2021

Helenzart 2021

Leyland, Lancashire

As a kid I was always drawing or copying images, doing O and A level at school, but not ...

Acrylic Fluid Creations

Acrylic Fluid Creations

Blackburn, Lancashire

Acrylic fluid creations specialise in contemplate abstract art pieces. I use either acrylic ...

The Wick and Wax Co

The Wick and Wax Co

Whitefield, Lancashire

The Wick and Wax Co was set up by me, Aisha. I’m a mum of three first and foremost, I ...

Glow wax works

Glow wax works

Darwen, Lancashire

Hi everyone, my name is Lisa and I live in Lancashire with my family and 3 dogs. I am ...

Recycled Riches

Recycled Riches

Buckshaw Village, Lancashire

A home run, hand crafted business offering home decor, jewellery, bags and accessories, ...

Phil Stutt

Phil Stutt

Clitheroe, Lancashire

I began wood turning a few years ago, introduced to it by a friend who is a professional ...

Marvell Creations

Marvell Creations

Bury, Lancashire

We are a father and daughter run business and have been making soft furnishings for many ...

Cooksons Crafty Creations

Cooksons Crafty Creations

Chorley, Lancashire

Hi I decoupage many different items such as slate coasters and placement mats. Vases. ...

Silver Spring Jewellery

Silver Spring Jewellery

Rawtenstall Rossendale, Lancashire

Silver Spring Jewellery - I’m a Silversmith creating individual, handmade and bespoke ...

Oldfield cake kitchen

Oldfield cake kitchen

Poulton le fylde, Lancashire

I personally prepare, bake and sell a range of homemade chocolate brownies. The range ...

Stained Art

Stained Art

Ormskirk, Lancashire

Stained Art produces bespoke, handcrafted artwork in stained glass. I make ornamental ...

Love Christmas crafting

Love Christmas crafting

Wigan, Lancashire

I have been making individual Christmas decorations for over a year now. These range ...

HANDBAGS from GLADRAGS

HANDBAGS from GLADRAGS

Leyland, Lancashire

Hi my business was initially form as an upcycling of handbags from old to new as a hobby. ...

Artistic Fleur

Artistic Fleur

Lytham St Annes, Lancashire

Creating unique pieces of art, crafts and jewellery from the finest paints, mediums and ...


Dorothy Whipple

(Born 1893 in Blackburn in Lancashire), Fiction

Whipple was a popular author, writing around eighteen novels. Two of which were made into film just after the Second World War 1945/46 - They Were Sisters highlighting marital abuse - They Knew Mr. Knight dealing with crime and dealing with coming out of prison.

Arthur Devis

(Born 1712 in Preston in Lancashire), Painting

Born in 1712 he was an English portrait painter and is known for a type of portrait called a conversation piece. In 1735 his first commission was Hoghton Towers from Duxon Hill, Lancashire. This showed his interest in landscape but two years later he became established as a portrait painter having a studio in Great Queens Street London.