Ribble Valley District

Day Trips in Manchester

"If ever there was an area of the UK where the epithet “rolling countryside” was richly deserved, it’s the Ribble Valley. Better to have a car for this one as the best way to arrive is via the shady country lanes that connect towns like Whalley and Clitheroe. It’s only about an hour to Clitheroe, so there’s plenty of time left to explore.Spend the morning at Clitheroe’s renowned Holmes Mill, a former textile factory turned food and hotel complex, where you can indulge in prized local foods like Bowland venison and crumbly Lancashire cheese. Up above the town are the ruins of Clitheroe Castle, a 12th-century keep with excellent views of Pendle Hill, and a local history museum with an entry fee of around $6.A 10-minute drive west brings you to Hurst Green, the starting point for the Tolkien Trail. The trail is a 5.5-mile ramble through the fields, woods, and gardens of Stonyhurst College, all of which were reputedly part of J.R.R. Tolkien’s inspiration for Middle-earth. There are many options for food, but the most prized is the Michelin-starred Northcote Manor. For a less costly alternative there are excellent gastro pubs nearby, including the Freemasons at Wiswell and The Three Fishes." - MATADOR_NETWORK