11 Half Term Family Days Out in Lancashire

If you’re a busy mum, planning half-term activities like me, then read on for some helpful ideas on what to do! My Guide to Half-Term Family Days Out in Lancashire. Including free activities to keep the bank balance from disappearing.

I hope you find some fun activities for your half-term week. Let me know in the comments if you visited any of these places and your thoughts.

As part of my guide, I have a VERY exciting collaboration, where I will be visiting SeaLife Manchester and giving you all the practical information you need ahead of your visit!

Let’s dive into the Top 10 Half-Term Family Days Out in Lancashire.

SeaLife Centre Manchester

LOCATION: Trafford Palazzo in TraffordCity, Next to, The Trafford Centre, Trafford Park, Stretford, Manchester M17 8AS

As a family we wanted to visit SeaLife for a long time and February half term 2025 seems the perfect time to do it! ( as part of the collaboration, tickets were gifted, but we paid for everything else, including the mission pack, which had to be done!)

Let’s talk about the current attraction on offer to entertain the kids…

This February, immerse yourself in a unique universe with Animal Crossing: New Horizons at SEA LIFE Manchester!

Explore the ‘SEA LIFE Island’

Equipped with an activity trail to lead the way, guests explore the ‘Sea Life Islands’, meet Tom Nook and residents like Aurora and Octavian, and discover diverse sea creatures. A fossil dig will reveal the ancestors of the marine life that we love today, whilst explorers will search for Gulliver, who washed up on the beaches of the island.

Meet Tom Nook & Isabelle

Come down and meet Tom Nook or Isabelle for a very special photo opportunity!
Character meet & greets will be available every day at select times. The sessions will last about 30 minutes. All times are subject to change.

This event is available between 8 February – 9 March 2025.

Linton Falls – Walk suitable for toddlers

LOCATION: Linton Falls, Linton, Skipton BD23 6BQ

This is a circular family-friendly walk. Linton Falls is a beautiful spot on the River Wharfe near Grassington. The Falls is a series of waterfalls with the main one under the footbridge. You can find lots of detailed information online about the various types of walks available at different times of year and most importantly the safety information you need, especially if you’re taking children on the walk.

Bowland Wild Boar Park

LOCATION: Bowland Wild Boar Park, Chipping, Preston, PR3 2HB

We spend a lot of time in Lancashire now, as my family have a caravan there. This is an attraction we have thought about booking on several occasions and for us February half term is the time!

I enjoyed researching Bowland Wild Boar Park and can’t wait to visit.

Situated in the Forest of Bowland, an area of outstanding natural beauty. See the animals and smaller residents in the animal petting area. There are 62 acres of nature trails and views to explore. And a newly refurbished café and Ice Cream Parlour. You can also stay overnight in one of their camping pods.

Book your tickets here.

All the activities:

*Ice Cream Parlour and Café serving homemade food

*Barrel, Tractor and Trailer rides

*Lamb Feeding, Chick Holding

*Tank Experience

*See Llamas, Red Deer, Ostriches and lots more!

*Camping pods

*Mobility scooter/Tramper available to book

Windmill Animal Farm

LOCATION: Windmill Animal Farm, Fish Lane, Burscough, Lancashire L40 1UQ

The majority of activities on the farm are undercover, so you can still visit and have a great time! Including Indoor soft play, meet Farmyard Friends, experience Criters2U, ride the farm train, and much more.

Create wonderful memories down on the farm!

Book your tickets here.

Want to read more Family Day Out reviews

Gisburn Forest – Walk

LOCATION: Forestry England, Gisburn Forest and Stocks – Stocks Reservoir, School Lane, Slaidburn, BB7 4TS

Gisburn Forest and Stocks are maintained by Forestry England and are located near Slaidburn in Lancashire.

The Birch Hills walk and tramper trail is an easy walking path. It will take you through mixed woodland with views over Stocks Reservoir. You will pass two wildlife hides, a picnic area and the old vicarage garden. 

There is usually a child-friendly activity trail in the forest which includes a Zog activity trail, a Gruffalo trail and more.

Ribble Steam Railway & Museum

LOCATION: Ribble Steam Railway, Chain Caul Rd, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 2PD, United Kingdom

Half term event

Half-Term Pirates and Princess Wednesday

Trains depart from Preston Riverside station at the following times. The return trip lasts 30 minutes.

Timetable –
11.00am
11:45am
12.30pm
1.15pm
2.00pm
2:45pm
3.30pm

No Need to pre-book, just turn up and pay on the day

Opening times

They are open on Wednesday 19th & Saturday 22nd for this event.

What’s included?

Top and Tail trains throughout the day with a steam engine on the front and a diesel engine at the back.

Come dressed as a pirate or princess – there might even be some prizes for the best dressed.

Tickets include entrance to the museum & all-day travel on the trains.

There is a gift shop & a cafe serving drinks and light refreshments.

Rufford Old Hall

LOCATION: 200 Liverpool Road, Rufford, near Ormskirk, Lancashire, L40 1SG

The house is open for limited days at this time of year, you can find more information here.

The woodland of Rufford Old Hall lies on the grounds of a restored sixteenth-century Tudor building; which is reportedly haunted! Alongside the wood are enjoyable views of the Leeds-Liverpool canal and wildlife: woodpeckers, kingfishers, buzzards and hedgehogs.

A great National Trust site to visit throughout the year with bluebells in the springtime and wonderful autumnal colours.

Stirk House

LOCATION: Gisburn, Clitheroe BB7 4LJ

The hotel looks like a lovely place to stop for some lunch and my 5-year-old would love running around the gardens. You can also follow the walking path below…

Stirk House Round Walk

Guests are free to explore the 22 acres of estate grounds at Stirk House and take in the tranquil beauty of the gardens and the ancient forest while spotting wildlife along the way.

Bury Transport Museum

LOCATION: Castlecroft Goods Warehouse, Bolton Street, Bury, Lancashire, BL9 0EY

Hop off the train East Lancashire Railway at Bury Station, and across the road, in the restored Castlecroft Goods Warehouse from 1848 there is the Bury Transport Museum. If you want to visit the transport museum, an example of ticket prices are below:

Book all experiences on the East Lancashire Railway here.

Worden Park

LOCATION: Worden Lane, Leyland, Lancashire, PR25 3DH

You can find all the information about visiting the park here.

Worden Park is a hidden gem, situated on the edge of Leyland.

With its mature woodlands, open meadows, historic natural landscapes, varied wildlife and peaceful setting offers a haven of natural beauty where you can walk, picnic and relax in undisturbed surroundings.  In addition to Worden’s natural appeal, it’s a great family day out, where visitors can enjoy a range of facilities.

Wild Discovery – Ribby Hall Village

LOCATION: Ribby Hall Village, Wrea Green, Preston, Lancashire, PR4 2PR

The place looks like so much fun… you can experience being a keeper for the day, animal encounters, and bird-flying encounters.

Book your tickets here.

You can check out all the dining options at Ribby Hall Village here. Below is the map so you can see the distance from Wild Discovery to the restaurants.

Summary

I hope you enjoyed reading the guide.

Are you planning on visiting any of these places?

Have you visited before?

Let me know in the comments.

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