Family Friendly
Plan your Lancashire Staycation
Posted on:
23 June 2026
This is the year of the staycation and lucky for you there's plenty of options here in the red rose county! Take a look at some of the options
Clitheroe
Clitheroe is a historic market town at the centre of the Ribble Valley, well placed for exploring the surrounding countryside, including the Forest of Bowland National Landscape. With a wide range of places to stay—from traditional B&Bs to camping and caravan sites—it works well as a base for spending more time in this part of Lancashire. The town itself has deep roots, dating back to Saxon times, with layers of history still visible today.
Overlooking it all is Clitheroe Castle, a 12th-century Norman landmark often described as the smallest of its kind in England. Set within landscaped grounds, it’s home to a museum as well as gardens, walking routes and family-friendly features including a playground and labyrinth. From the castle, routes lead out into the surrounding area, while back in the town centre you’ll find a strong mix of specialist and independent shops, making it a popular place to browse as well as explore.
Find out more Visit Ribble Valley
Be Inspired
Calling all food lovers! We've put together a list of great places to eat across Lancashire that are either completely plant-based or have a fantastic vegan or vegetarian range of meals on their menu
Clitheroe Businesses
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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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
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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Business Directory
The Inn at Whitewell
Multi award winning characterful traditional rural inn that's part of the Duchy of Lancaster's estate and sits high on the banks of the River Hodder in the heart of the Forest of Bowland AONB.
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Business Directory
Shireburn Arms - Weddings
With immaculately presented interiors, stunning natural light and gardens that offer views across the Ribble Valley, The Shireburn Arms is an ideal venue for your big day.
Read MoreClitheroe Events
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Arts & Culture | History & Heritage
Historic Handcrafts: Peg Loom Talk & Taster with Mountain Croft Felted Fleece
Date: 11th Jul 2026
Join Mountain Croft Felted Fleece for a talk about the history, techniques and materials used in peg looming.
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History & Heritage
Neolithic Pottery Workshop and Talk at Clitheroe Castle
Date: 21st Jul 2026
Find out how this new material would have had a radical effect on how people lived their lives.
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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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TASTE
Afternoon Cream Teas at St Paul`s
Date: 25th Jul 2026
Enjoy homemade scones with jam, cream, delicious refreshments, and a warm welcome.
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Family Friendly | Free | History & Heritage
Clitheroe Castle Festival of Archaeology Community Hub Day 2026
Date: 25th Jul 2026
Celebrate the Festival of Archaeology 2026 with a new archaeological exhibit in the museum and then join the festival hub for a special day celebrating all things archaeological.
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Outdoors
Downham Hall Open Gardens
Date: 26th Jul 2026
Explore the rose, kitchen and cutting gardens, formal beds and herbaceous borders of the gardens with Pendle Hill as their stunning backdrop.
Read MoreClitheroe 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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Clitheroe 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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