Spring in Garstang: Lancashire's Hidden Gem
Why Garstang Country Hotel is the Perfect Place to Stay in Garstang This Spring
As the days stretch longer and the Lancashire countryside shakes off winter’s grey, there are few places more beautiful than Garstang in spring. Tucked between the rolling hills of the Forest of Bowland and the gentle sweep of the River Wyre, this charming market town comes alive with blossom-lined lanes, birdsong-filled mornings, and that unmistakable sense of renewal that makes you want to lace up your boots and get outside. If you’re searching for places to stay in Garstang that put you right at the heart of it all, Garstang Country Hotel offers a countryside retreat that’s hard to beat.
A Town That Rewards the Curious
Garstang, Lancashire has long been one of the county’s best-kept secrets. It holds the proud distinction of being the world’s first Fairtrade Town — a fitting reflection of the community spirit that runs through everything here. Spring is arguably the best time to visit. Thursday’s weekly market returns with renewed energy, stalls brimming with locally grown produce, artisan bakes, and handmade crafts. The independent shops along the high street are worth a leisurely browse, and the cafés that spill out onto the pavements make the most of the warmer weather.
For those who enjoy a walk with a view, the towpath along the Lancaster Canal provides a flat, scenic route ideal for families and casual walkers. The canal boats start to appear again as the season turns, adding splashes of colour to the still water. It’s the kind of scene that makes you slow down, breathe in, and remember what you came here for.
The Forest of Bowland on Your Doorstep
Just a short drive from the hotel, the Forest of Bowland — a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty — is nothing short of spectacular in spring. The fells and moorlands shift from muted browns to vivid greens, wildflowers carpet the meadows, and if you’re lucky, you might spot a hen harrier riding the thermals overhead. Walking routes range from gentle riverside strolls to more challenging fell walks, so there’s something for every pace and ability.
Beacon Fell Country Park, another nearby gem, offers well-maintained trails through woodland and open heathland with panoramic views across the Fylde coast and beyond. On a clear spring day, you can see as far as Blackpool Tower — a reminder of how close you are to the coast, yet how far removed you feel from the bustle.
Golf Among the Blossom
Spring is one of the finest times to play the 18-hole parkland golf course at Garstang Country Hotel. The fairways green up beautifully, the air is fresh without the chill of winter, and the views across the Wyre Valley provide a backdrop that most courses can only dream of. Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or picking up a club for the first time, there’s a genuine pleasure in playing a round here as the season shifts. The course is well maintained and welcoming, and the pace of play suits those who want to enjoy the surroundings as much as the sport.
After your round, there’s no better way to wind down than settling into the clubhouse with a drink, swapping stories from the day’s play while the evening light softens over the course.
Dining at the Bradbeer Bistro
A spring break is only as good as the food that comes with it, and the Bradbeer Bistro at Garstang Country Hotel delivers on every front. The menu takes its cues from the seasons, making the most of fresh, locally sourced ingredients as they come into their own. Think delicious dishes with a refined edge — the kind of food that satisfies after a long walk and a day in the fresh air.
Whether you’re sitting down to a leisurely breakfast before heading out for the day, enjoying a relaxed lunch after exploring the Bowland trails, or treating yourself to an evening meal as the sun sets over the River Wyre, the Bradbeer Bistro offers a warm, inviting setting and food that lives up to the surroundings. It’s a genuine highlight of any stay, and one that locals return to time and again.
Your Countryside Retreat
For anyone looking for hotels near Preston that feel a world away from the everyday, Garstang Country Hotel strikes the perfect balance. Just a short drive from the city yet surrounded by open countryside, the hotel sits in a peaceful spot beside the River Wyre, offering the kind of views you wake up and immediately reach for the curtains. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, designed for a relaxing rest after a day spent outdoors. There’s a calm about the place that starts the moment you arrive — something about the combination of open countryside, the sound of the river, and staff who genuinely care about making your stay memorable.
The hotel also caters beautifully for celebrations and special occasions. With a choice of wedding packages to suit every couple — from elegant all-day celebrations to the increasingly popular Twilight Wedding Package for those who want an intimate evening affair — Garstang Country Hotel has become one of Lancashire’s most sought-after wedding venues. Its stunning function rooms, riverside setting, and dedicated events team make it easy to see why. But in spring, it’s the everyday guest who benefits most — the walker, the golfer, the couple looking for a quiet weekend away, or the family wanting to show the children what the countryside really looks like when it puts on a show.
Exploring Further Afield
While Garstang and its immediate surroundings offer more than enough to fill a long weekend, the hotel’s location also makes it an excellent base for wider exploration. The historic city of Lancaster is just a fifteen-minute drive north, with its imposing castle, vibrant cultural scene, and excellent independent dining. To the south, Preston is equally accessible, offering shopping, museums, and the buzz of a larger city. The Trough of Bowland — one of the most dramatic drives in the north of England — is easily reached and rewards you with scenery that stays with you long after you’ve returned home.
The coast is within easy reach too. Fleetwood and Knott End offer bracing seaside walks, fresh fish, and the kind of no-frills charm that Lancashire’s coastal towns do so well.
Make This the Spring You Visit
There’s a window each year when the countryside around Garstang, Lancashire is at its absolute finest — when the lambs are in the fields, the trees are thick with blossom, and the light has that soft, golden quality that makes everything look like a painting. Spring is that window, and Garstang Country Hotel is the place to experience it from.
Book a room, pack your walking boots, and let Lancashire surprise you. Whether you come for the golf, the food, the walks, or simply the chance to slow down and breathe, you’ll leave wishing you’d discovered this corner of the country sooner.
To book your spring stay or find out more, visit garstanghotelandgolf.com or call 01995 600 100.
