Family Friendly
What's on this weekend - 24th to 26th July
Posted on:
22 July 2026
From live music to Alpaca walking, archaeology festivals to maize mazes, you can find it all in Lancashire this weekend!
Ribble Valley
Discover Ribble Valley for a day out centred on wide-open countryside, historic landmarks and a strong sense of place. Clitheroe sits at the heart of it, with Clitheroe Castle a must-see — home to a hands-on museum and one of the smallest Norman Keeps in the country, with views stretching right across the valley. Just a short walk away, Holmes Mill has transformed a former textiles site into one of Lancashire’s most distinctive destinations, bringing together food, drink and heritage under one roof.
Beyond the town, the valley is filled with places that tell the story of the area. From the ruins of Sawley Abbey and the peaceful grounds of Whalley Abbey to the Roman Museum at Ribchester, history is never far away. Browsholme Hall offers a glimpse into Lancashire’s oldest surviving family home, while Pendle Hill provides a well-known backdrop, popular with walkers and closely linked to the Pendle Witch Trials. Alongside it all, you’ll find village pubs, local producers and farm shops that make Ribble Valley just as well known for its food as it is for its scenery.
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Be Inspired
With many of the kids breaking up this week, its time to get the summer started! Why not check out a few of these great events to celebrate?
TASTE
La Locanda named No.1 in the Good Food Guide Britain's Best 100 Local Restaurants
Posted on: 14 July 2026
After more than 20 years of championing authentic Italian cuisine from a small rural restaurant in Lancashire, husband and wife Maurizio and Cinzia Bocchi have been named the owners of Britain's No.1 local restaurant
Ribble Valley Businesses
Business Directory
Bowland Social at Holmes Mill
Opening soon. Bowland Social is a vibrant social playground, bringing together classic games, great food and drinks, and a lively atmosphere.
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TASTE | Wet Weather
Boiler House Bowling
Never been duck pin bowling? It’s exactly like ten pin bowling, except the lanes and balls are smaller, making a strike even harder to achieve.
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Business Directory
Eight at Gazegill
Bask in the shadow of the iconic Pendle Hill with a range of menus, from brunch, to four-course fine dining set dinner menu.
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Business Directory
Holmes Mill
The beautifully renovated former textiles mill is pretty hard to miss and is home to the fabulous new showcase and tasting parlour for Bowland Brewery the Beer Hall.
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Luxury | Outdoors
Bowland Escapes
Discover Bowland Escapes, a unique retreat offering a variety of overnight accommodations in the stunning Ribble Valley.
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Family Friendly
Seasons Restaurant at Stirk House Hotel
Seasons Restaurant at Stirk House welcomes both residents and non-residents to enjoy an exquisite dining experience with a wonderful selection of menus from breakfast, to afternoon tea to evening à la carte.
Read MoreRibble Valley Events
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Free
The Great Roman Amphora Hunt - Clitheroe Castle Museum
Date: 22nd Jul 2026
Join our July archaeology challenge. Explore the museum galleries and help find the lost miniature Roman Amphoras. How many can you find? Enter our competition for a chance to be the lucky winner of a goody bag of great souvenirs from our shop.
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Events
Archaeology Crafts - Medieval Tiles and Roman Ships - Clitheroe Castle Museum
Date: 22nd Jul 2026
Join us at Clitheroe Castle Museum every day in July for family fun and make something beautiful.Design and decorate your very own Medieval-style terracotta tile (£2.50) or wooden Roman ship (£4.00) Simply purchase from the main desk.
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Arts & Culture | History & Heritage
Junior Archaeologists Dig Pits at Clitheroe Castle
Date: 23rd Jul 2026
Celebrate the Festival of Archaeology 2026 and book your young archaeologists (age 7 years +) onto one of the kid's workshops,
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Free
Junior Archaeologists: Dig Pits - Clitheroe Castle Museum
Date: 23rd Jul 2026
Celebrate the Festival of Archaeology 2026 and book your young archaeologists (age 7+) onto one of our kid's workshops: Unearth and rebuild artefacts in our Dig Pit activity.Each young archaeologist will receive their very own certific...
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Wet Weather | Family Friendly
Mobile Petting Zoo at Leaping Lizards
Date: 24th Jul 2026
Summer holiday animal encounter.
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TASTE
Afternoon Cream Teas at St Paul`s
Date: 25th Jul 2026
Enjoy homemade scones with jam, cream, delicious refreshments, and a warm welcome.
Read MoreRibble Valley Itineraries
Arts & Culture | History & Heritage | TASTE
Explore Lancashire Like King Charles III - A Royal-Inspired Day Out
Follow in the footsteps of the most recent visit to Lancashire by King Charles III on this royal itinerary
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Ribble Valley Routes & Trails
Free | History & Heritage | Outdoors
The Tolkien Trail - in the Footsteps of J.R.R. Tolkien
Duration2 hours 30 mins
Distance5.5 miles
Many areas in the UK claim to have inspired J.R.R Tolkien creation of middle earth but the author certainly spent a lot of his time at Stonyhurst College working on The Lord of the Rings during the Second World War.
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Free | Outdoors
Trough of Bowland Cycling Route
Duration4 hours
Distance34 miles
A 34 mile loop taking you through the beautiful Trough of Bowland and Forest of Bowland National Landscape starting in Garstang
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