► Blackburn

Although Blackburn dates back many centuries – in fact there is believed to have been a church on the site of the cathedral since the 6th century – it was only a small village until the 1800s. Its growth was mainly due to cotton imports from America, which led to Blackburn becoming the most important centre for cotton-weaving in the world – Hargreaves, the inventor of the Spinning Jenny, was born nearby.

Today the town is home to many modern industries. The shopping centre was updated a few years ago and is currently undergoing another massive renovation and extension that will see new business and retail moving into the heart of the town. Blackburn also offers shoppers a wide choice of outlets, from all your clothing needs at the likes of Debenhams, Next, River Island and M&S to the top electronics stores in the Carphone Warehouse, Game and PC World. There is still a traditional market though, with over 300 stalls selling local favourites as well as a vast range of other products.

Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery is home to a number of interesting collections including East Lancashire Regiment memorabilia and Eastern European icons.

Blackburn ispossibly most famous throughout the country for it's famous football team - Blackburn Rovers, one of the founder members of the football and Premier Leages. Winning the league in the 1990s and later the Worthington Cup in 2002, the club is "the pride of Lancashire" and with some of the cheapest prices in the league and a recent run of good form, there can be little doubt that the club is an attraction for sports fans all around.

If you would rather enjoy the outdoors, however, there are many opportunities for scenic walks in the surrounding countryside with much open and wooded land in the sourounding area along with notable landmarks such as Darwen tower.

The town's nightlife, admittedly, is not the brightest in the area but Liquid and Envy, Livv, FJ Nichols and many others are leading the way in a resurgence.