The schools are out, the mercury is creeping higher (no really, we promise!), the region’s beaches, parks and forest trails are filling up: the Great British Summer is here! Whether you are taking charge of the children or grandchildren this summer or just looking for something different to do over the next few weeks, here are four things that caught our eye for you to go and enjoy.

Lancashire County Cricket Club

Existing clients will know how passionately involved we are with local sport and there are far worse ways to spend a day than with your local cricket, rugby or football club. Many of these have children’s activities on during the holiday period so check with them to see whether there’s anything you can get involved with. On the slightly bigger stage, Lancashire County Cricket Club will be competing in the T20 Blast and the one-day Super League throughout the Summer. T20 games take place in Manchester whilst the one-day games are held throughout the region. Tickets can be as low as £5 and even the Lancashire vs Yorkshire ‘roses’ derby will only set you back £20. A great day or night out for the family to enjoy.

Good old Blackpool

It’s easy to forget Blackpool, with it being on our doorstep, but there really is a wide variety of activities in the town that can be enjoyed by family members of all ages and no guide to the summer in Lancashire would be complete without it. The tower, Pleasure Beach, zoo, Sealife Centre, trams and beaches are all easily accessible, so you can take your pick depending on the family’s preferences.

Walking in the Ribble Valley

There are 81 km of footpaths and bridleways in the Ribble Valley, including the Forest of Bowland, which is an area of outstanding natural beauty. Those of you who have already visited the Ribble Valley, or who make your home there, will doubtless already be well aware that this is the case! After the excitement of the cricket and the ‘experience’ of Blackpool, is there anything that screams ‘British Summer!’ more than a walk amongst green fields, wild flowers, old country halls and many a public house. If you are not sure where to start then the Ribble Valley Borough Council runs a walking programme, details of which you can find here.

The red squirrel walk at Formby

Just ‘over the border’ in Merseyside, you can find an endangered UK species, right on our doorstep. The UK’s red squirrel population stands at 140,000, but it is dwarfed by the grey squirrel population of 2.5 million and environmentalists worry that the red squirrel could be extinct in as little as 10 years. There are only a handful of locations where you can catch a glimpse of the red squirrel in the UK and luckily for us, the National Trust’s red squirrel walk at Formby is one of them. Head into the forest for the day (don’t forget to take your guide with you) to spot a red squirrel and find out what is being done to save the species.