Villages around the Ribble Valley

BASHALL EAVES

Near this small hamlet can be found the Fairy Bridge said to have been built one night by fairies to help an old woodcutter who was being pursued by witches. Browsholme Hall is one of the most historic mansions in the district, and for centuries has been the family seat of the Parkers, former Bow-bearers of Bowland. The Hall is a handsome structure dating from the time of Henry VII, and contains a wealth of woodcarvings, arms and armour, period furniture, textiles, rare books and stained glass. Amongst the collections of paintings is one of Thomas Parker, former Lord Chancellor of England. One relic of the Hall which visitors will not be shown is the human skull kept in a locked cupboard, for legend has it that disaster will strike if it is seen by anyone other than members of the family. Another legend says that deaths in the family will be foretold by the appearance of a white horse in the grounds! Open to visitors at certain times in the summer months, and well worth a visit. Groups can view by prior arrangement. Tel: (01254) 86330 for details.

BOLTON-BY-BOWLAND

Bolton-by-Bowland is a tranquil and charming little village, with two village greens. The smaller green contains the remains of a 13th Century stone cross and old stocks. The village was recorded as Bodeton in the Domesday Book, meaning bow in the river. The church has many ornamental carvings and a font dating from 1500, which bears the arms of the Pudsay, Percy, Tempest, Hammerton and other families. The famous Pudsay tomb has an engraved figure of Sir Ralph Pudsay in full armour with the figures of his three wives and 25 children. Overlooking the River Ribble is Rainsber Scar, which is a beautiful spot - known locally as Pudsay's leap where William Pudsay is said to have made the leap on horseback when being chased by soldiers for illegally minting his own coins. (According to legend his godmother, Queen Elizabeth I later pardoned him)

CHAIGLEY

Home to the Higher Hodder Bridge, Chaigley is a starting point for many lovely walks. The riverside footpath between the lower and higher Hodder bridges is particularly beautiful. Children paddle in the shallow reaches of the river in summer and the riverbank is a favourite place for family picnics.

CHATBURN

Chatburn is situated in a hollow between the two ridges, which slope towards the River Ribble just off the A59 Clitheroe to Skipton road on the outskirts of Clitheroe. It is thought that the village derived its name from St Ceatt or Chad. The stately spire of the Parish Church dominates the building, which was erected about 1838. Chatburn used to have a cotton mill but due to the decline in the textile industry this has been demolished. The main industries that remain are the manufacture of cement and road surface materials. Hudson's popular ice cream shop is also to be found in the village, housed in what was originally the toll bar.

CHIPPING

Chipping is a picturesque village on the slopes above the River Loud. In Medieval days no less than five water mills were sighted along Chipping beck. This is a conservation area with stone-built cottages, 17th century school and almshouses endowed by John Brabin, dyer and cloth merchant. The village also has a 13th century church, which was partly re-built in 1505 and in 1706 and again in the nineteenth century. The font has been in use for over 400 years. Chipping has a cheese maker, a chair factory, and a craft centre. Several attractive Inns are to be found in the village centre. Lizzy Dean was a serving wench at the Sun Inn. She was engaged to be married to a local man. On the morning of her wedding, on hearing the church bells, she looked out of the window of her room in the Sun Inn and saw her bridegroom leaving the church with another bride on his arm. She hanged herself in the attic of the pub. Her last request was that her grave be dug in the path to the church so that her ex-boyfriend had to walk over it every Sunday. She died in 1835 aged 20 and is said to still haunt the Sun Inn.

CLITHEROE 

The bustling market town of Clitheroe lies at the heart of the Ribble Valley. The town retains much of its old character and customs, and has a wide range of shops, many of which have been run by the same family for generations. A popular open-air market is held on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

The main street of the town is dominated by a massive rock of limestone crowned with the Keep of an ancient Castle, of uncertain age, but at least 800 years old. The Castle grounds contain formal gardens, tennis courts, bowling green and summerhouse cafeteria, and a large open-air auditorium with bandstand where concerts ranging from brass band to rock music can be heard in the summer. Here too can be found the Castle Museum (CLOSED UNTIL SPRING 2009 FOR MAJOR REFURBISHMENT).

The Edisford Bridge Picnic Area can be found on the outskirts of Clitheroe. Once a battle ground between the Scots and Normans this is now a pleasant family area on the banks of the river with a miniature railway, children's play area, cafeteria and a pitch and putt course. Also nearby is the Ribblesdale swimming pool . A wildlife conservation area and geological trail can be found at the old quarry sites of Crosshill and Salthill between Clitheroe and Chatburn. Quarrying was taking place here as early as 1651, the limestone formed 300 million years ago when the Ribble Valley was only a few hundred miles north of the equator. The new Auction mart can also be visited here, the mart is best known for large sales of cattle and sheep, but Sunday car boot sales are held here in summer, and are said to be the biggest in the country.

Click here for more information about Clitheroe's local history