The history of the railways in Lancashire from 1978 to the present, from the end of the BR regional era, through sectorisation to privatisation.

This book is based on sections of Nikolaus Pevsner's 'South Lancashire' and 'North Lancashire', both published in 1969"--acknowledgements.

Enough! For far too long, Lancashire has languished under the grimy pall of smoke and muck and mills and mines, enveloped in outdated condescensions, smothered by the easy dismissals that put down the north of England as just 'up there' and 'grim'. Thank you very much George Orwell, Monty Python and every London cabbie. But Lancashire is not up there. Lancs is actually situated in the centre of the British Isles. And far from being grim, it is a place of wit and wonder, romance and surprise, a land of exotic influence whose people have always looked outward to sophistications and influences beyond frontiers and seas. Indeed, French writer Honoré de Balzac recognised these affinities and yearnings in the Lancashire people when he had one of his characters declare that 'Lancashire is the county where women die of love.' Mock if you like, but then think about it: where is the magnificent thoroughfare that inspired the boulevards of Paris? Where did they go to film Brief Encounter, the most romantic British film ever made? Where did the young Shakespeare dream of and draw on for his inspired imaginings? Join Charles Nevin, Fleet Street journalist and humorist, as he returns to his roots and reveals all this and more. Discover the true Camelot and the beauty that is rugby league. See where Lancastrians go to die, but first visit Lost Lancashire and its great twin cities, Manchester and Liverpool. Mull over why Britain's greatest comics, from Laurel to Coogan, Formby to Vegas, Dodd to Kay, Fields to Wood, Morecambe and Dawson, have all come from Lancs. Mere coincidence? Give over, and read on . . .

Offering 40 day walks in Lancashire, this guidebook explores the often-overlooked regions of Forest of Bowland, Ribble Valley and West Pennine Moors. With walks ranging from low-level valley trails to higher hill routes, this guidebook offers plenty of year-round walking options for active families and committed hikers alike. The walks are accessible from a range of nearby villages, towns and cities including Preston, Blackburn, Burnley, Chorley, Lancaster and Clitheroe. Lancashire showcases some of the most varied walking in the UK, featuring the wide expanse of Morecambe Bay, the Forest of Bowland AONB and limestone fringes of the Yorkshire Dales. These walks travel along green valleys, gritstone moors and untamed hillsides to explore remnants of Lancashire's rich history: The War of the Roses, the Pendle witch trials and the industrial heritage of the West Pennine Moors. Providing detailed route description and clear OS mapping for all 40 walks, this guidebook includes an introduction full of information about the area including accommodation, transport and access. The appendices contain a route summary table to help you plan your days out, while each walk offers notes on wildlife, history, geology and available refreshments.

Did You Know? In Stacksteads, a village near Bacup, there is an annual event which has to rank among the wackiest in the country's sporting calendar: the Gravy Wrestling competition. According to legend King Arthur's mighty sword Excalibur is lying at the bottom of Lancashire's deepest lake, Martin Mere. In Wigan, Eccles cakes used to be called 'slow walking cakes' because they were offered to mourners at funerals. St Walburge's Church in Preston was named after the patron saint of people suffering from rabies. The Little Book of Lancashire is fun and informative guide to the things you did not know about this amazing part of England. Whether you want to sit down and read it cover to cover or dip into it for hilarious facts and anecdotes, this book will delight both visitors to this beautiful county and the residents who call it home.