Home / Guide to Lancashire and Blackpool / Exploring South Ribble
Do you know where the greatest Viking silver treasure outside Russia was found? - and when?
The Cuerdale hoard was found in 1840, by workmen repairing the embankment of the River Ribble at Cuerdale, near Walton-le-Dale. The timber chest contained over 7,000 Viking, Saxon, Arab and Byzantine coins from about 900AD. Some of the coins can still be seen in the Harris Museum in Preston.
South Ribble enjoys a wealth of local heritage and areas of natural beauty; historic Worden Arts and Crafts Centre and Samlesbury Hall are complemented by museums such as the British Commercial Vehicle Museum and South Ribble Museum and Exhibition Centre. Long or short walks, cycle rides or days fishing can be enjoyed in Worden Park and the area's nature reserves at Longton Brickcroft and Cuerden Valley Country Park. There are cycle paths and walks across the district, including the start of the Ribble Way footpath, to help you enjoy our countryside and heritage. There is always something relaxing and enjoyable to do on a day out in South Ribble.
There are extensive leisure and sporting facilities, including three sports centres, a Virgin Active life Centre, the South Ribble Tennis and Fitness Centre, two golf courses and ten pin bowling. Shopping is well catered for with local shops, Leyland market and national retail brands in the out-of-town leisure park, the Capitol Centre. For eating out, you have a good choice within easy reach whether you prefer a great country pub or a restaurant in a town or city centre.
In addition to all this, if you fancy a break at one of the local hotels, South Ribble's excellent connections mean that the rest of the North West is easily accessible; there are world class culture, sport and shopping facilities in Manchester and Liverpool, and lovers of the outdoors can get to many different areas of natural beauty such as the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales and the west coast within an hour's drive.
Did you know....
Nick Park, of Wallace and Gromit fame, lived in the village of Walmer Bridge just outside Longton.
Accommodation Booking Service
Phone: 01772 253731
Email: tourism@preston.gov.uk
Website: www.visitsouthribble.gov.uk
South Ribble Tourism Enquiries
Phone: (01772) 625567
Email: info@visitsouthribble.co.uk
Website: www.visitsouthribble.gov.uk