You may have had your suspicions, but did you know there are several spots around Lancashire listed as prolific dogging sites?

Remote car parks, woods and nature trails across the county are among the top sites for having sex outdoors, according to one adult website.

Before you head off for a family stroll in one of Lancashire's many beauty spots this Easter weekend then, it may be worth checking the following list if you want to avoid stumbling across this kind of activity.

According to one site, popular spots for exhibitionist behaviour are Beacon Fell, The Grane Road close to Haslingden, and various areas in Tockholes.

Daisyfield in Blackburn and behind Darwen Services also make the list. 

The website states that Birdy Brow, which has two good car parks, sees action almost every night and can be accessed by taking the back road from Longridge to Clitheroe.

Black Hill at Sabden also gets a mention, with a car park up a steep hill, just over a bridge towards Padiham being the place of choice for many wishing for some al fresco fun. 

There are even suggestions that action takes place behind a block of flats near to the Peugeot garage in Daisyfield, Blackburn; while the rear of Blackburn with Darwen services off the M65 is 'nice and quiet after 9pm most nights'.

And thrill seekers looking for somewhere more secluded are advised to head up to Calf Hey Reservoir, off the Grane Road.

The website states that although the car park can sometimes close at 5pm, and there's sometimes a cafe open, the top car park has a toilet block, but voyeurs are warned to stay to the right of the car park on entrance.

Dogging, sexual activity in public or watching others engage in sexual activity in public, is not banned under a specific law in the UK, but people who get caught can be charged under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 with public lewdness and indecent exposure.

In 2019, Cllr Glen Harrison, who represents the St Oswalds ward on Hyndburn Council, said he had been inundated with complaints about the state of Belthorn Road in Belthorn.

He insisted the lay-by had long been targeted by people dumping waste illegally but in February 2019, there was evidence it was being used as a hangout for people having sex.

At the time he said: “(You could say) This is a bit of a dogging hotspot as there has to be sexual activity with the condoms and wrappers and underwear we have had to clear."

Dogging became popular in 2003 when couples were able to arrange meetings conveniently on the internet.

READ: The areas of Lancashire that could be underwater by 2050

Below are just some of the spots listed by one adult website: 

  • Ashurst Beacon between Wigan and Skelmersdale.
  • Barrow in Furness, close to the Cocken Tunnel A590 Barrow
  • Beacon Fell off the A6 between Preston and Lancaster 
  • Birdy Brow, between Longridge and Clitheroe
  • Black Hill, Sabden
  • Blackburn, Daisyfield, near the Peugeot garage 
  • Bull Beck picnic area near Lancaster
  • Burton, about four miles north of Carnforth off the A6, a small picnic area called Cinder Barrow 
  • Crook O Lune near Lancaster
  • Blackburn with Darwen services 
  • Denham Hill Quarry
  • Fairhaven lake, Lytham-St-Annes
  • Haslingden Grane Road – A6177, Calf Hey Reservoir
  • The Beacon, Up Holland
  • Tockholes