Ribble Valley Accommodation

  • Clitheroe's 12th Century CastleClitheroe's 12th Century Castle
  • Salley Abbey, a Cistercian Abbey founded in 1148 with Pendle Hill backdropSalley Abbey, a Cistercian Abbey founded in 1148 with Pendle Hill backdrop
  • 14th Century Cistercian Whalley Abbey14th Century Cistercian Whalley Abbey
  • Ribble Valley SceneRibble Valley Scene

Clitheroe & Ribble Valley Tourist Information

The Ribble Valley has the affectionate nickname 'Little Switzerland' and stands easily as one of Lancashire's most beautiful rural havens. Much of the Ribble Valley sits within the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and the area around Stonyhurst is thought to be the inspiration for J.R.R. Tolkien's 'Middle Earth' in the Lord of the Rings. The 9km/5.5 mile Tolkien Trail is a circular walk taking you around key areas and sights of influence including Stonyhurst College grounds in which the guest house where Tolkien and his family stayed was situated. You can see why this area might have inspired Tolkien - it's stunning moorland with striking and spectacular scenery steeped in legend and market by ancient historic sights. This is the land of charming villages, historic centres including Clitheroe with its great Norman Castle ruins, superb fine ale pubs, and speciality shopping galore, especially in market town Clitheroe.

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Castles, Abbeys, moorland, woodland and 44 stunning villages in the Ribble Valley all make for a heritage rich area of outstanding beauty.

Featured North West Accommodation

Rose Cottage B&B - Nr Mellor Ribble Valley

Idyllic 200 year old cottage in Ribble Valley, Lancs. Picturesque surroundings. Walkers/cyclists welcome, hearty English breakfast. Weekend breaks available

£28 to £30 Per person ( 2 sharing)includes full breakfast

Clitheroe Attractions & Clitheroe Castle

Clitheroe Castle is amazingly intact - with it's 12th Century Norman Keep, set in a strategic position up above Market Town Clitheroe

Just to the side of the Castle is the Castle Museum holds exhibits relating to geology and history in the area. Lots of events, activities and workshops run for kids. (note the Castle Museum at Clitheroe is undergoing redevelopment alongside the adjacent North West Archives. For more details see the Ribble Valley Tourist Guide. Clitheroe's charming centre is a specialist independent shopping dream, with markets held in the town every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday (flea market) and Saturday. The Ribble Valley is fast evolving into one of the UK's hotspots for fine foods. Read more on restaurants, food shows and specialist shops selling local produce via the Taste Lancashire & Taste Clitheroe weblinks right.

The Clitheroe Platform Gallery sits within the old railway station building dating from 1870. Inside find a superb selection of contemporary craft exhibitions - the gallery hosts around 8 annually. The on-site shop includes a wide selection of ceramics, glass, wood, textiles and jewellery. See the Ribble Valley tourist weblink right for details on current exhibitions. The Platform Gallery, Station Road, Clitheroe, Lancashire BB7 2JT. Tel. 01200 443071.

Clitheroe Castle & Castle Museum are undergoing extensive renovations. The Clitheroe Tourist Information Point has a temporary home meanwhile at Level B, Ribble Valley Borough Council Office, Church Walk, Clitheroe BB7 2RA, situated just a short walk from the old premises at Market Street. Tel. 01200 425566.

Whalley Tourist Guide & Whalley Abbey

The beautiful little village of Whalley near Clitheroe has a long history stretching back to as far as the 600s. The central Whalley Abbey is 14th century Cistercian and positioned practically alongside the River Calder. It's surrounded by woodland, and with a fishpond, coffee shop and guided tours available.

Whalley's charming centre is crammed with delightful specialist shops and country pubs and stylish restaurants plus a medieval church. Find out more via the Visit Whalley & Whalley Abbey weblinks right.

Whalley Abbey, The Sands, Whalley, Clitheroe, Lancashire, BB7 9SS. Tel. 01254 828400.

Ribble Valley Historic Sights, Villages & Trails

Longridge north of Preston boasts an extensive historic town trail, with a number of plaques around the town highlighting historic mills, co-operative buildings and more. See details via the Ribble Valley tourist weblink.

Stonyhurst College Founded in 1593, Lancashire BB7 9PZ. Tel. 01254 826 345 for public opening times & events. A striking Elizabethan building with former pupils at this bording school including Arthur Conan Doyle.

Browsholme Hall, Forest of Bowland, Lancashire, BB7 3DE. Tel. 01254 826 719.

Slaidburn Heritage Centre, 25 Church Street, Slaidburn, Lancashire BB7 3ER. Tel. 01200 446161.

Featured North West Accommodation

Rose Cottage B&B - Nr Mellor Ribble Valley

Idyllic 200 year old cottage in Ribble Valley, Lancs. Picturesque surroundings. Walkers/cyclists welcome, hearty English breakfast. Weekend breaks available

£28 to £30 Per person ( 2 sharing)includes full breakfast