Hotels in Lancashire

What the numbers tell you

There are 482 hotels published on BritStays in Lancashire, and the figures say a lot about where you'll end up staying. Blackpool accounts for 299 of them, well over half. After that the numbers drop sharply: Morecambe has 24, Preston 19, Lytham St Annes 18, Lancaster 9, and Bolton and Barrow-In-Furness 8 each. A further 25 are listed simply under Lancashire. If you want lots of choice, Blackpool gives you the most. If you'd rather somewhere smaller, expect fewer options and book earlier.

The most common facility is being near a train station, which applies to 380 of the 482 hotels. That makes Lancashire unusually easy to visit without a car. Parking is listed at only 39 hotels, so if you're driving, check this before you book rather than assuming.

Coast or inland: choosing your base

For a seaside break, Blackpool is the obvious choice simply because of the volume. Example stays include the Britannia Grand Metropole Hotel, The Derby Hotel, The Bond Hotel, New Oceans Hotel, South Shore Hotel and Victoria Park Hotel, all of them listed as near a train station. Only 16 hotels across the region mention sea views, though. If waking up to the water matters to you, look for that facility specifically. Don't take it for granted just because a hotel is in a coastal town.

Morecambe and Lytham St Annes are the other coastal options. The Sea Crest in Morecambe is one example, again close to a station. With far fewer hotels than Blackpool, these towns suit you if you want a quieter seafront base and are happy to book further ahead.

If you're planning heritage days or countryside walks, an inland base may make more sense. Preston, Lancaster, Leyland, Chorley and Bury all have hotels in the set. Examples include No.10 Preston, which lists WiFi, parking and station access, plus Hallmark Hotel Preston Leyland, Premier Inn Lancaster, Premier Inn Chorley North and Bolholt Hotel in Bury. Pyes Mill at Conder Green stands out for listing a bar, a restaurant and disabled access together.

Matching the hotel to your trip

• Couples: only 45 hotels list a restaurant and 43 a bar. If you want to eat and have a drink without going out again, filter for these. Pyes Mill is one example with both.
• Families: Blackpool's sheer number of hotels gives you the best chance of finding something that fits your dates. Check room arrangements directly, as sleeping capacity isn't listed for the example stays.
• Dog owners: just 25 hotels are listed as pet friendly, around one in twenty. This is the facility most likely to limit your choice, so start your search with it.
• Accessibility: 37 hotels list disabled access. Contact the hotel to confirm exactly what that covers for your needs.
• Working or streaming: only 74 hotels list WiFi. Many more may offer it without saying so, but ask if you rely on it.

What to do once you're there

Lancashire is rich in castles and historic houses. Lancaster Castle is a natural pairing with a stay in Lancaster. Clitheroe Castle, Hornby Castle and Gleaston Castle are further heritage options. If you prefer grand interiors and grounds, look at Gawthorpe Hall, Gisburne Park and Hacking Hall. For a dramatic landscape, Malham Cove makes a memorable day out.

On a rainy day, the museums are a good fallback. The Harris Museum and the Museum of Lancashire are both in the county. If you're interested in the region's industrial past, try Helmshore Mills Textile Museum, Higher Mill and Whitakers' Mill. Families might also enjoy the Amazing Novelty-Orium & Mechanical Museum in Merseyside. For water-based fun, The Lakes Aqua Park and Trafford Watersports Centre are both options outside the county. Check travel times before you commit to these.

When to book

Book according to how specific your needs are. If any hotel in Blackpool near the station will do, you have hundreds to choose from and can often leave it later. Book well ahead if you need any of these:

• a pet-friendly room
• sea views
• parking
• disabled access
• a room in a smaller town such as Morecambe, Lytham St Annes or Lancaster

Each of these narrows your choice to a few dozen hotels at most, and those rooms go first during school holidays and summer weekends.

Before you pay, check four things:

• whether parking is on site
• the pet policy and any extra charges
• which rooms actually face the sea
• how the hotel's facilities match what you need for accessibility

If you're coming by train, the good news is that most hotels here are well placed for it.