Clitheroe Travel Guide

Trek Zone

Town

Facts and practical information

Nestled in the heart of the picturesque Ribble Valley, Clitheroe is a charming market town that offers a delightful blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. Located in the Lancashire region of England, this vibrant town is known for its stunning countryside, medieval castle, and bustling town center.

One of the town's most iconic landmarks is Clitheroe Castle, which dates back over 800 years. Standing proudly on a hilltop, the castle offers breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. Visitors can explore the castle grounds, wander through the beautiful gardens, and delve into the fascinating history of the area at the onsite museum.

Just a stone's throw away from the castle lies the bustling town center, where visitors can immerse themselves in the vibrant atmosphere. Here, you'll find a plethora of independent shops, boutiques, and galleries, offering unique treasures and local crafts. Take a leisurely stroll through the market, held every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, where you can sample delicious local produce, browse through vintage finds, and soak up the lively atmosphere.

For those seeking outdoor adventures, Clitheroe is the perfect base. The town is surrounded by stunning countryside, allowing visitors to explore the Ribble Valley on foot or by bike. The nearby Forest of Bowland, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, offers a tranquil escape with its rolling hills, picturesque villages, and abundant wildlife.

Food lovers will be spoilt for choice in Clitheroe, with its wide range of eateries, from traditional pubs serving hearty local dishes to trendy cafes and fine dining establishments. Sample the local delicacy, Lancashire hotpot, or indulge in a mouthwatering afternoon tea at one of the charming tea rooms.

Throughout the year, Clitheroe hosts a variety of events and festivals, showcasing the town's vibrant culture. From the Clitheroe Food Festival, where you can sample delicious local cuisine, to the Clitheroe Grand Prix, a thrilling cycling race through the town's streets, there is always something exciting happening.

Alternative names: Population: 14.8 thous.Elevation: 295 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 53°52'22"N, 2°23'29"W

Location

EnglandUnited Kingdom

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Clitheroe Top Attractions

Clitheroe Attractions - What to See and Explore

Clitheroe offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Clitheroe Castle, Pendle Hill, Sawley Abbey, St Michael and St John Church. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Historical place • History museum • Romanesque architecture
Clitheroe Castle
Clitheroe Castle is a ruined early medieval castle in Clitheroe in Lancashire, England. It was the caput of the Honour of Clitheroe, a vast estate stretching along the western side of the Pennines.
Nature • Natural attraction • Historical place
Pendle Hill
Pendle Hill is in the east of Lancashire, England, near the towns of Burnley, Nelson, Colne, Brierfield, Clitheroe and Padiham. Its summit is 557 metres above mean sea level. It gives its name to the Borough of Pendle.
Remains of a 10th-century abbey
Sawley Abbey
Sawley Abbey was an abbey of Cistercian monks in the village of Sawley, Lancashire, in England. Created as a daughter-house of Newminster Abbey, it existed from 1149 until its dissolution in 1536, during the reign of King Henry VIII.

Church • Gothic Revival architecture
St Michael and St John Church
St Michael and St John the Evangelist Church is a Roman Catholic parish church in Clitheroe, Lancashire, England. It is situated on Lowergate road close to the centre of the town. It was endowed in 1799 by the great Catholic philanthropist, Thomas Weld, and staffed by members of the Society of Jesus.
Romanesque architecture • Museum • History museum
Clitheroe Castle Museum
Clitheroe Castle Museum is located in Clitheroe, Lancashire, England, in the former Steward's House, a Grade II listed building that was built in the 18th century to house the steward of Clitheroe Castle.
Universities and schools
Stonyhurst College
Stonyhurst College is a co-educational Roman Catholic independent school, adhering to the Jesuit tradition, on the Stonyhurst Estate, Lancashire, England. It occupies a Grade I listed building. The school has been fully co-educational since 1999.
Historical place • Vernacular architecture
Browsholme Hall
Browsholme Hall is a privately owned Tudor house in the parish of Bowland Forest Low in the borough of Ribble Valley, Lancashire, England. It is claimed to be the oldest surviving family home in Lancashire. Since 1954, it has been designated a Grade I listed building by English Heritage.
Church • Gothic Revival architecture • Gothic architecture
St Mary Magdalene's Church
St Mary Magdalene's Church is located in Church Street, Clitheroe, Lancashire, England. It is the Anglican parish church of the town, and is in the deanery of Whalley, the archdeaconry of Blackburn, and the diocese of Blackburn.
Library
Clitheroe Library
Clitheroe Library is a Carnegie library in Clitheroe, Lancashire, England. It was opened in 1905.
53°52'21"N • 2°23'40"W
Platform Gallery
Art gallery • Shopping • Museum
53°52'47"N • 2°24'17"W
Waddow Hall
Waddow Hall is a 17th-century Grade II listed building within a 178-acre estate that serves as a conference and activity centre for Girlguiding UK near Clitheroe, Lancashire. Waddow Hall has been managed by Girlguiding since 1927.
53°52'13"N • 2°23'35"W
North West Sound Archive
The North West Sound Archive, founded in Manchester in 1979, was the largest archive of sound recordings in the UK outside of London, with over 140,000 items. It was relocated to Clitheroe in 1982, where it occupied the third floor of the Clitheroe Castle Museum. 53.8702°N...
Neighbourhood
Low Moor
Low Moor is a hamlet which is part of the town of Clitheroe, located in Lancashire, England. It is situated two miles southwest of Clitheroe proper. It is significant for being a well documented mill village.
Neighbourhood
Ribble Valley
Ribble Valley is a local government district with borough status within the non-metropolitan county of Lancashire, England. The total population of the non-metropolitan district at the 2011 Census was 57,132. Its council is based in Clitheroe.

Day trips

Clitheroe – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Clitheroe, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Gordale Scar (Malham), Cliffe Castle Museum (Keighley), Malham Cove (Malham).

17 milesNE
Natural attraction, Nature, Canyon
Gordale Scar, Malham
Gordale Scar is a dramatic limestone ravine located near the village of Malham in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, United Kingdom. Carved out by water over thousands of years, this imposing natural wonder is a magnet for tourists, hikers, and geology enthusiasts.
19 milesE
Country mansion with costumes and fossils
Cliffe Castle Museum, Keighley
Nestled in the charming town of Keighley, West Yorkshire, the Cliffe Castle Museum stands as a testament to the grandeur of Victorian life and the rich history of the local area. This magnificent hillside mansion, originally known as Cliffe Hall, was transformed into a...
17 milesNE
Unique rock formation and scenic views
Malham Cove, Malham
Nestled in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, Malham Cove is a breathtaking natural limestone formation that has been a magnet for tourists in the United Kingdom. This majestic cliff, with its sheer face rising about 80 meters high, is a testament to the power of water...
22 milesSE
Golf, Outdoor activities
Manchester Golf Club
Nestled in the rolling green landscape of the United Kingdom, Manchester Golf Club offers a premier golfing experience for enthusiasts of the sport. Established in 1882, this venerable institution has been providing a challenging and picturesque course for golfers of...
37 milesNE
, Park
Studley Royal Park
Studley Royal Park, a verdant tapestry of landscaped gardens and serene water features, stands as a testament to the English garden style that swept across Europe in the 18th century. Nestled in North Yorkshire, United Kingdom, this UNESCO World Heritage Site offers a...