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Dunsop Bridge

Eaves Hall is nestled in the picturesque Ribble Valley, the largest district in Lancashire in terms of area (much of which is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), but with the smallest population – a mere 54,000. In spectacularly rural countryside there are some 44 villages nestled, many of which have remained unchanged over the years.

Downham, for example, is owned by Lord Clitheroe who doesn't allow overhead cables or excessive signage in the village. It was used as a location for the film "Whistle Down the Wind and also for the BBC TV series "Born and Bred" starring Michael French and James Bolam.  Dunsop Bridge is the nearest village to the centre of the British Isles so one can say in all honesty, that one is in the true heart of the country!

Forest of Bowland

Sightseeing in this area is an absolute pleasure as roads are relatively free of the traffic, traffic lights and other travel tribulations that infiltrate more developed tourist areas.  The Ribble Valley and its surrounding areas are tailor-made for de-stressing - relaxing and taking time to appreciate the beauty of scenery and heritage around you and the simple joy it can provide.

Pendle Hill dominates the valley. This 7 mile long feature, just 165 feet short of being renamed as a mountain, can be walked and provides some of the most stunning views to be had on a clear day. It achieved notoriety in 1640 when the Pendle Witches were taken from their homes on the hill, trailed through the Ribble Valley and on to Lancaster where they were hung – 11 of them on August 20th, 1640.  You can enjoy the Pendle Witch Experience on a 90 minute mini coach tour that will tell the story of these most famous witch trials.  The tours start at Pendle Heritage Centre in Barrowford.

Pendle Hill also achieved note as the location where George Fox, founding father of the Quaker movement first had his vision.  From there a powerful religious movement was born and today, the Quaker headquarters in Massachusetts is named after Pendle Hill.

Forest of Bowland

The Forest of Bowland is the first protected Area of Natural Beauty to be awarded a European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas.  There are only 30 in Europe.  The Charter is awarded for areas delivering tourism that is both nature and landscape friendly and contributes to the economic development of the region. (Not a lot of people know that)! It is internationally known for its heather moorland, blanket bog and rare birds.  In fact, it is the most important site in the UK for breeding hen harriers (a nationally threatened bird) and is also home to peregrine falcons and merlins, Britain's smallest bird of prey. 

Discover the Forest of Bowland, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, at the Bowland Festival from 2-17 June, 2006. Experts who live and work in the area will show you why Bowland – with its magnificent wildlife and landscape – really is an outstanding place to visit. You might catch a glimpse of the rare hen harrier on a moorland safari, or discover the area’s heritage with a local historian. The varied events will allow you to discover the area's exceptional birds and wildlife, explore its heritage and landscape and give you the opportunity to find out more about conservation in the area.  Visit www.bowlandfestival.co.uk/glance.asp for event information or for more information visit www.forestofbowland.com

Dunsop Bridge

Clitheroe is the capital of Lancashire.  Clitheroe Castle, built around 1186 by Robert de Lacy, looks protectively over the town.  It is said to have the second smallest keep in England and it is worth a visit and stroll around its lovely gardens. 

Clitheroe is also known best, believe it or not, for its specialist shops. How wonderful that you can take a relaxing short break in a beautiful area and include time to shop for the more unusual, eclectic or specialist product that isn’t easily found elsewhere!  In this pretty town, with its ancient castle, you can shop at Byrne's, a wine shop with the most enormous cellar that does business all over the world, Cowman the Butchers offers over 75 types of sausages, the Exchange Coffee Company has over 35 of the world’s finest coffees and over 60 specialist teas.  And that is just to whet the appetite! 

Forest of Bowland

Clitheroe hosts a market every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and there are lots of other local markets in villages like Longridge that are always worth a meander around. Whalley holds an annual shopping extravaganza called "Pickwick Night" with a rich selection of designer clothing stores and stalls lining the streets.  Bashall Barn, just outside of Clitheroe, is a retail outlet selling Lancashire finest foods and gifts including organic and speciality meats, cheeses, pickles, preserves, sauces, ice creams, candies and furniture!  It also has a resident glass artist.  Also not far away is the Bowland Beer Company that started life in Bashall Barn but now has its own premises producing many different beer types with local sounding names.

Read more about Clitheroe Attractions and Ribble Valley Attractions