Things to do

With children off school and warmer weather, we're all thinking about what to do with our free time. It can be a challenge to find things to do that are entertaining and low-cost, but we've pulled together some ideas to help you make special memories without breaking the bank.

If the sun is shining and you want to enjoy the great outdoors, look no further than Clitheroe Castle. With panoramic views of Ribble Valley's beautiful landscape, there is plenty to explore. We are proud to be home to some of the country's finest museums and heritage sites in Lancashire – find out more about what's on offer here.

If the weather isn't what you'd hoped, or you simply need some downtime, why not pop into your local library? By joining, you can enjoy a range of materials, from ebooks, audiobooks and magazines to comics and graphic novels. Whether you are curling up to shelter from the English summer or reading bedtime stories to little ones, there's something for everyone.

Did you know our libraries host a variety of free events and activities? You can meet new people at our friendship groups and arts and craft sessions, research your family tree at our Family History Group or celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the formation of the modern county council by exploring the curation of 50 Lancashire objects.

Our Family Hubs also host lots of free groups and sessions for you and your family, all the way from pregnancy to groups for teens and young people up to 25 years old with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Bring your little one to a Baby Bounce and Rhyme group, get active with a Mini Move and Groove session or check out our SEND groups for young people across the county.

Our Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF) is in place to ensure all children get the chance to have healthy, happy holidays. From getting active and learning new skills to getting a tasty and nutritious meal, HAF helps to increase self-esteem and wellbeing and focuses on making friends and having fun!

We've put some more ideas about cutting costs during the summer holiday too!

And don't forget, many of these places are accessible by our bus network – check out our advice on getting around Lancashire.

For more information on free days out, what to do in wet weather, events and a Lancashire summer guide, go to Visit Lancashire's website.