• View in English

Saturday, 4th July 2009

You are here: Destination Guide > Ribble Valley

Destination Guide

Ribble Valley

Bleasdale

Bleasdale

Forest of Bowland AONB

 Tips for Visitors

Clitheroe Visitor Information Centre
Ribble Valley Borough Council
Church Walk
Clitheroe
BB7 2RA
- 01200 425566
- Email

Don't miss:

Ribble Valley is the largest district in Lancashire in terms of area, the majority of which is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Here you will find velvet green valleys, commanding fells and heather strewn moorland among the breath-taking scenery of picturesque countryside, most of which is set within the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Positioned in the ageless landscape of rural Lancashire, this area remains relatively unexplored. At 300 square miles, time appears to have bypassed this historic area immersed in rich heritage. Its two market towns, Clitheroe and Longridge, and 44 villages are set in a serene and unspoilt landscapes and it is this unspoilt beauty, which attracts visitors who return time and time again, along with the warm hospitality and wealth of creativity. It is home to many musicians, writers, artists, craft workers and performers. All tastes can be catered for and excellent service is undisputed. Ribble Valley is easily accessible by public transport with regular bus and train services from most populated areas and out to the villages. There are excellent motorway links from the M6 and M65.

The Forest of Bowland offers plenty of opportunity for walking, cycling, fishing and horse riding and can now offer some of the most remote and rugged walking in the North West, including the Tolkien Trail, which takes you in the footsteps of J.R.R Tolkien. The Pendle Witch Trail follows the route taken by the witches from their Pendleside villages passing through some of the most spectacular scenery in the country.

  • Pendle Walking Festival
  • Stonyhurst College

What's On in the Ribble Valley

Clitheroe and Longridge both boast traditional markets and also boasts a reputation for high quality shops renowned for their specialist individuality. Whalley holds the famous annual Christmas event ‘Pickwick Night’ which is not to be missed. Along with Chipping Steam Fair the Ribchester Roman Re-enactments and Clitheroe Festival Weekend (May) the area is also becoming renowned for it’s wealth of music and arts events which includes the Ribchester Festival of Music and Arts (June) and the International Piano Festival (July).

Things to do in the Ribble Valley

High quality restaurants, inns, shops and delicatessens feature on the Ribble Valley Food Trail uncovering an array of wonderful local foods. Clitheroe Castle Museum has seen major restoration and redevelopment of a brand new local heritage visitor attraction with. There are two Cistercian abbey ruins at Sawley and Whalley and the Roman Museum in Ribchester contains many artefacts excavated from the local area. Also don't miss out on visiting Stonyhurst College, now a Jesuit boarding and day college, Browsholme Hall, an historic house and The Platform Gallery in the centre of Clitheroe.


Links of Interest

Must See Links

  • Chipping Steam Fair
  • Ribchester Roman Re-enactments
  • Clitheroe Festival Weekend (May)
  • Ribchester Festival of Music and Arts (June)
  • International Piano Festival (July)

Essential Information

Ribble Valley

Weather

Local Weather Forecast

Search

Search What's Nearby

Product Type
Proximity
Within miles

Explore Lancashire

Copyright © 2009 The Official Website of Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board. All rights reserved.