It is a chilly Sunday morning and the weather is definitely turning, but forget that because today we celebrate Lancashire Day.
Today (November 27) we celebrate the Red Rose County and everything it has to offer.
We want to help you enjoy Lancashire Day to the full and we have put together a list of five of the best walks in East Lancashire to take in some of the county’s famous landmarks.
1) Darwen Tower
For Darreners, Darwen Tower is on the doorstep, with stunning views from the top where, on a clear day, the Isle of Man and the hills of North Wales can be seen.
The Tower is famous for celebrating Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897 and to many local people it also celebrated the freeing of Darwen Moor in 1896.
The two-mile walk begins at Darwen Town Hall. From here, walkers will pass the war memorial and around the lake before making their way to the top of the hill to see the tower.
On the way back, the route goes past Sniddle Hill Farm and Holly Tree Farm before returning back to Darwen Town Hall.
2) Tolkien Trail
Named in honour of Lord of the Rings author J.R.R. Tolkien, the Tolkien trail explores the Ribble Valley landscape which inspired the creation of middle earth.
Although Tolkien is also believed to have taken inspiration from other areas of the country, during the second world war, the author spent much of his time writing in a guest house and a classroom at Stoneyhurst College.
The 5.5-mile trail, which takes about three hours to complete, starts and finishes at the Shireburn Arms in Hurst Green. Explorers will see St Mary's Hall, Clitheroe castle, the River Ribble and Cromwell's Bridge during their walk.
3) The Rossendale Halo
This four-mile circular route explores various areas of the valley, with a visit to the monumental Halo structure.
The route begins and ends in Rawtenstall and explores Bribden Clough, Top o'Slate, The Halo, and Whittaker Park.
The moderately challenging route takes around two hours to complete.
4) Pendle Hill
Infamous in its name, this two-and-a-half-hour walk takes you to the heart of the Pendle witch trials of 1612, where 10 people were executed on the moors above Lancashire, having been found guilty of witchcraft.
Starting near Barley, the five-mile walk passes the Ogden reservoirs before beginning to climb the infamous hill where, from the summit, Blackpool Tower and the Lakeland fells can be seen on a clear day.
The walk then proceeds back down back towards the village of Barley.
5) Singing Ringing Tree
Over in Burnley, the Singing Ringing Tree is a very unusual landmark in the county.
The unique musical sculpture is constructed from pipes of galvanised steel stacked in layers, with the winds producing a low, tuneful song.
The circular loop starts by guiding you around the Clowbridge Resovoir. You then walk through the moorlands leading all the way up to Crown Point; the home of The Singing Ringing Tree.
After admiring the landmark, the walk then guides you back down through the countryside and loops along the opposite end of the reservoir before finishing at the car park.
Coming in at just 5.5 miles in length and having well-laid out paths throughout, the peaceful stroll is non-strenuous and suitable for pretty much all walking abilities.
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