Blackpool
You have to take your 'Kiss Me Quick' hat off to the UK's biggest, most popular seaside resort. There are over 125 rides, attractions and spectacular shows at the Pleasure Beach, including Europe's tallest and fastest rollercoaster, the Pepsi Max Big One. Take a tram ride along the Golden Mile of food, fun, amusements and exhibitions, including the Sea Life Centre and Louis Tussaud's. You can see a show or the circus at Blackpool Tower and even the Isle of Man on a clear day. The Sandcastle Waterworld has pools, waterslides and white-knuckle chutes, or you can take a dip in the sea. And Blackpool Zoo has lions, tigers, elephants and gorillas among its 400 animals.

Preston
The Ribble Steam Railway and Museum is just one of the many attractions of Preston's old dock, now a picturesque marina with shops and restaurants. As well as seeing a fine selection of locomotives, you can enjoy a 1.5-mile steamhauled train journey along the riverside.

Blackburn
Blackburn is the North West's biggest market boasting over 400 stalls and, fittingly, the classic Lancashire town is also famed for its mill shops. The Museum and Art Gallery is noted for the unique Hart bequest - a remarkable treasure trove ranging from art and coins to an ancient Egyptian mummy.

Clitheroe
The historic market town of Clitheroe lies at the heart of the Ribble Valley. The town retains much of its old charm and character and is famed for family-run shops which specialise in produce ranging from sausages and wine to tea and coffee. The town is dominated by a huge limestone rock crowned by the 800-year-old keep of an ancient castle, the grounds of which include a large open-air auditorium hosting many concerts in the summer months. Edisford Bridge Picnic Area, once the battleground of the Scots and Normans, is now a peaceful family spot on the town's outskirts.

Burnley
The Mid-Pennine Gallery exhibits art, pottery and photography by new and established artists, and stages events throughout the year, and the miniature railway is the perfect way to take in the delightful Italian Gardens, boating lake and woodland of Thompson Park. The Museum of Local History tells of bygone days at home and at work, while the Queen Street Mill Textile Museum revisits the reign of 'King Cotton'.

Colne
Parts of Colne parish church date from the 11th century and, along with neighbouring Nelson, the ancient market town formed the heart of Lancashire's cotton industry. Wallace Hartley, the heroic bandmaster lost on the Titanic, was born here. 40,000 people lined the streets for his funeral and his statue can be seen in Albert Road. A Japanese flag captured in the 1944 Battle of Kohima, model soldiers, uniforms and military regalia of the British Empire are among the exhibits at the Municipal Hall.

Rochdale
Dominating Rochdale's town centre is the gothic town hall with its manicured gardens. Along the esplanade fronting this is thought to be Europe's widest road bridge, and here you'll find the Touchstones arts and heritage centre. Gracie Fields was a Rochdale lass and the Co-operative Movement was born here too, the story of which is told at the Rochdale Pioneers Museum. The fine medieval church, St Chad's, is also worth seeing.

Liverpool
You'll find the Tate, Merseyside Maritime Museum and the Beatles' Story at the Albert Dock. The world-famous Cavern Club in Mathew Street takes you back to the days of Beatlemania. Or for something else out of this world, let the 'Ferry Cross the Mersey' take you to Spaceport at Seacombe Terminal.

Lancaster
Medieval Lancaster Castle was the prison where the Pendle Witches were tried and sentenced to death. There are tropical birds and a butterfly house at Williamson Park, and eagles, hawks and owls at Leighton Hall Falconry in neighbouring Carnforth.

Morecambe
With its sweeping five-mile promenade, this traditional seaside town is famous for amazing views of Morecambe Bay and abundant birdlife, celebrated around the town by TERN Project bird sculptures. The comedian Eric Morecambe was himself a keen birdwatcher and his statue takes pride of place on the seafront.