Coronavirus lockdown has shaken up the travel industry, leaving many people confused about if and where they can travel abroad.

Even if you do decide to book, you run the risk of your holiday being cancelled at any time.

However, have you ever considered a staycation? There are a lot of places to visit right here in East Lancashire.

If you’re not going on a summer holiday this year, there here are some ways you can recreate your foreign holiday without straying far from home:

Go to the beach

St Anne's Beach (Photo: Google Maps, Tim Grundy)

Relaxing on the beach is an essential part of many people’s holiday.

However, you don’t need to travel abroad in order to get to the beach- while you aren’t guaranteed to have Spanish sunshine, you can visit some great beaches.

Blackpool pleasure beach is a great option if you want to go on some rides after you have had enough of the sea and sand.

If you don’t fancy the high-energy beach at Blackpool, then you can always visit Lytham St Annes which is described as “large and lovely” on Trip Advisor- which is ideal for practicing social distancing.

Eat at an exotic restaurant 

(Credit: Google Maps)

Eating out and trying some exotic food is a huge part of the holiday experience- and you can replicate it in East Lancashire.

Pappous Greek and Grill in Hyndburn is a great option if you want a taste of Greek.

Mediterranean restaurant, Continentals in Burnley, also has a delicious menu that is sure to put you in the holiday mood.

Go sightseeing

Lancashire Telegraph:

One of ten plaques on the Pendle Sculpture Trail (Photo: Geograph, Graham Hogg)

Some people use their holiday to explore the culture and monuments in the area- you can do the same in East Lancashire.

There might be hidden gem locations and unexplored areas right on your doorstep.

You might have visited the Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery as a child but there is always a new exhibition or show going on, so it’s worth a return trip.

Fans of all thing spooky and historical might enjoy exploring the Pendle Witch Trail, which is a self-guided tour where you visit places across Pendle and Lancaster that were significant to the Pendle Witch trials.  

Book some unique accommodation

(Credit: Facebook/ Rossendale Holiday Cottages)

You may be close to home but you can still book some unique air bnbs.

To truly get back to basics, you can rent out a rustic shepherd’s hut in Briercliffe. For a more luxurious stay, you can always rent out the Chicken shed at Knowle Top in Pendleton, which boasts amazing views of the Ribble Valley.

Alternatively, you can always try your hand at glamping.

Wigwam holidays in Ribble Valley provide glamping pods for between £75-£125.

Rossendale Holiday Cottages are also a great option, as their glamping pods are available for between £49-£100.

Enjoy a drink…or two

Lancashire Telegraph:

The Red Pump Inn (Photo: Geograph, Alexander P Kapp)

You might not be able to enjoy a beer abroad, but there are still some excellent pubs in East Lancashire to visit.

You can visit some charming pubs in with a lot of character and history.

The Red Pump Inn, Ribble Valley, dates back to the 1700s and The Old Chapel, Darwen used to be a Methodist Chapel that first opened in 1866- both are great places to have a holiday pint.