Clitheroe
Love Ribble Valley
Clitheroe is a vibrant market town with a bustling high street and side streets full of character, revealing independent shops, galleries and eateries and more.
Historic Market Town
Take a walk around the historic market town of Clitheroe, and you’ll no doubt be enticed by its inviting cafes and characterful boutiques. Clitheroe is a vibrant market town with a bustling high street and side streets full of character, revealing independent shops, galleries, eateries and more. Noteworthy amongst the longstanding independent shops is Cowman’s Famous Sausage Shop, whose reputation for its sausages spreads far and wide.
From five generations of butchers, Cowman’s sausages are, and always have been, made with locally reared, high quality meat. Check out their huge array of different sausages on offer, as well as their sausage of the month! Another must for wine lovers is D Byrne’s Wine Merchants. Beyond the impressive first room is a series of small catacombs of wine cellars containing thousands of bottles from all over the world. Expert, unpretentious, and a treasure trove of red, white and fizz oozing with tradition and spirit.
Offering panoramic views over the area, Clitheroe Castle crowns the town from an elevated position. Down below, there are countless places to discover—whether you enjoy browsing the shops, arts and culture, delving into history or sampling fantastic food and drink. Clitheroe is certainly a place to add to your must-visit list. Click here for more information
Food and Drinks Galore
While walking through Clitheroe, you are bound to notice the aroma of freshly-ground coffee which emanate from the delightful Exchange
Great for family-friendly dining is the nearby Emporium, a lavishly converted old Methodist chapel comprising three expansive storeys for
eating, drinking and shopping. Here Parisian café culture meets relaxed wining and dining. All in all, Clitheroe has a restaurant to tempt any taste bud, spanning from Greek to Italian to American cuisine.
Why not check out our food website www.ribblevalleyfoodheaven.com
So Much to See and Do
For a marvellous mix of live entertainment and culture, it’s worth paying a visit to The Grand. Since opening its doors in early 2008, the state-of-the-art venue has diversified its programme and gained its name as one of the North West’s best-loved medium-size cultural venues. In addition, there is the Everyman Cinema at Holmes Mill, where there will be film screenings suitable for audiences of all ages.
If you’d rather make the most of the great outdoors, you can find parks and picnic places throughout Clitheroe. Edisford Bridge, for example, boasts one of the prettiest riverside spots in town, equipped with tables, a miniature steam railway, and an ice cream van. Plus, there’s plenty of clear, fresh water in which to paddle, of course! Clitheroe’s very own beach never fails to please.
A Very Special Heritage
Clitheroe is also home to an early medieval castle which has been lovingly preserved and developed over time into a fabulous hub of history. It is one of the oldest buildings in Lancashire, now a Grade 1 listed building, and noted as one of the smallest Norman keeps in Britain. Respectfully maintained over the years and developed over time, visitors can explore the castle keep for free and enjoy spectacular views across the valley. There is also an interactive museum for which there is a small entry fee. Not to be forgotten are the splendid 16-acre castle grounds, which host a bandstand, playground and Lancashire’s one and only labyrinth.
As well as ascending to the castle keep and admiring the breathtaking views, there is the option to discover even more of Clitheroe’s heritage by taking part in the fascinating Town Trail. The mile-long walk suitable for all the family takes you on a journey across time and place, from the 19th century market place, to rows of Victorian terraces, to pubs dating back to the 16th century. Copies of the trail can be obtained at the Visitor Information Centre at the Platform Gallery.
If you fancy using Clitheroe as a starting point to explore further afield, then the Ribble Valley Sculpture Trail is the adventure for you. Launched in 1993, this trail incorporates over 20 different works of art, taking you through woodlands, grasslands, Brungerley Park and Cross Hill Quarry. Not only will you enjoy views of the Bowland hills, but you may also spot some fascinating local wildlife—kingfishers, and even otters!
If you want to find out more about the thriving market town of Clitheroe and what there is to see and do here, simply head to the Platform Gallery and Tourist Information Centre, near the bus and train interchange, where you should find all the information you’re looking for.
Special Places
Clitheroe Castle
Holmes Mill
Edisford Bridge
Platform Gallery