Lancashire & The Pennines - The North West Region full of History Lancashire, once famous for its cotton mills, has some of the most beautiful and arresting scenery in the United Kingdom. The rolling hills of the Pennines make an ideal destination for renting a self catering cottage and exploring the area. Cyclists and ramblers have oodles of countryside to explore and historians will enjoy exploring Pendle Witches and where old Mother Demdyke was burnt at the stake. Lancashire came into its own during the Industrial Revolution and produced over 85% of cotton worldwide. Old cotton mills have now been converted into shopping centres or homes and the Leeds and Liverpool Canal runs through many towns in the area. The Lake District is an hour and a half's drive on the well connected motorway network in Lancashire and towns which now have city status, such as Preston are very up and coming in terms of tourism. The Forests of Bowland and Rossendale are close by to cycle or hike through. Lancashire also has a long history with Folk Music and each year, Burnley is home to the country's largest Blues Festival in May is a must for musical fans.