Reasons to Visit
Things to do in Clitheroe
30.06.23
Reasons to Visit
30.06.23
Nestled within the Ribble Valley, the market town of Clitheroe is a fantastic place to visit. Packed with things to do and surrounded by fantastic scenery, Clitheroe makes a great destination in its own right, and a perfect place to stay while you explore the surrounding area.
We’ve pulled together a list of just some of the things the area has to offer!
Clitheroe is home to one of the country’s smallest Norman Castles. The tower has been a long-standing symbol of Clitheroe and a frequent tourist attraction for years.
The walk up the hill is worth it just for the views alone. From the walls of the castle, you’re treated to spectacular vistas of Clitheroe, The Forest of Bowland and the Ribble Valley.
The castle grounds are also home to a museum and cafe, so you can relax after a walk round the castle or learn more about the history of the area.
From Cowman’s Famous Sausage Shop to Dawson’s Department Store, The Emporium to the Food Hall at Holmes Mill, Clitheroe is home to a number of shops. They range from the traditional to a showcase of the best produce the area has to offer.
Clitheroe has a number of amazing pubs, restaurants and cafes. If you were feeling particularly adventurous, you might want to attempt the circumnavigation of the bar at the Bowland Beer Hall. This is one of the country’s longest bars, featuring over 40 ales on tap.
Not far from Clitheroe is the Forest of Bowland, one of the UK’s many areas of outstanding natural beauty.
The area is home to a wealth of different activities, including cycling and mountain biking around Beacon Fell, or hiking to the top to see the views of Lancashire.
If you visit during spring or summer, the Bowland Wild Boar Park is a fantastic day out for the family, especially if you have younger children. Amongst other things, you to get close to a variety of animals or enjoy a tractor train ride.
Or if you’re a fantasy lover, you might want to explore the Tolkien Trail. This is a five-and-a-half-mile walk near The Shireburn Arms, Hurst Green and Stonyhurst College, which takes in areas that are rumoured to have inspired some of the landscape of Middle-earth.
Clitheroe is a nice location to use as a starting point to explore the rest of the Ribble Valley.
From the historic ancient Roman ruins in Ribchester to exploring the grounds of Whalley Abbey, there’s loads of interesting local history to get involved with.
Hoghton Tower is a country house that puts on a number of different events throughout the year, from concerts to ghost tours, providing lots of extra choice of things to do.
You might even want to think about venturing into one of the nearby towns or cities, like Blackburn, Preston or Bolton to enjoy the shopping, bars, gigs and nightlife that are on offer.
During your time exploring the Ribble Valley you’ll need somewhere to stay. Mitton Hall is perfectly situated, just outside Clitheroe, and makes for a fantastic starting point to explore the town and nearby attractions.