2025 Ribble Valley District Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in May)

The forest of Bowland is one of England’s true hidden gems. Surrounded by the more famous national parks of the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales, this area of outstanding national beauty is a walkers paradise. One of the most spectacular walks in this area follows Langden Brook as its meanders its way through the valley up towards its source at the Trough of Bowland. At this high vantage point you can gain a spectacular view across the whole region which will leave you wanting to come back and explore some more. #outdoors #lancashire

Set in the heart of the beautiful forest of Bowland, the Inn at Whitewell is the perfect example of an English country pub. The pub itself is an historic inn featured in both the Michelin guide and on the first series of the TV show The trip, which of course means the food is of a high quality. However, the real draw here is the spectacular views either out the huge windows or on a sunny day outside overlooking the River Hodder below and across to the nearby hills. #lancashire #pub

Lancashire’s Forest of Bowland is a true hidden gem, close to and just as beautiful as the more famous Lake District but without the crowds, it’s the perfect place to spend a day in the outdoors. One spot that all visitors must head to is the stepping stones across the River Hodder at Whitewell. The walk here takes you alongside the banks of the beautiful clear river and of course the challenge of crossing the stones themselves. Once on the other side the views of the hills that lie beyond are spectacular. And of course once you’ve finished your adventure you can always head into the historic inn at the end of the trail #lancashire #outdoors

The ribble valley in central Lancashire is one of the most beautiful parts of the country and a visit here gives you a real sense of the English countryside. The village of Hurst Green at the heart of the valley is the perfect place for a countryside escape. The village itself has a fine selection of country pubs and cafes but it’s the walks in the surrounding area and the views that make this place truly special. #celebrateit #countryside #lancashire

Lancashire’s countryside is amongst some of the lost beautiful in the entire United Kingdom and there aren’t many better places to do that than around the town of Longridge. Once away from the small market town’s centre the countryside seems to stretch on every direction from beautiful farmland, towering hills and moors and down to the River Ribble at the bottom of the valley. #celebrateit #countryside #lancashire

Lancashire’s Tolkien trail around the delightful village of Hurst Green was said to be the inspiration for the epic fantasy novel lord of the rings as its author would walk the woods and trails whilst working at the nearby Stoneyhurst college. The beautiful 12km trail takes in a variety of landscapes from bluebell laden woodland with stream running through to open meadows and the banks of the River Ribble. A beautiful place to spend a sunny afternoon. #celebrateit #walks #lancashire

Northern England is full of fantastic moorland walks where you likely to see very few other people along your journey, the 12km journey around Stocks Reservoir and the surrounding countryside above Gisborn Forest is the perfect example. Along your route you will have the chance to climb across the ever changing landscape with views across the Lancashire and North Yorkshire countryside before descending back down to the reservoir itself. #hiking #Moorland #lancashire

Lancashire is the perfect county for getting out into the beautiful countryside no matter what time of year and you don’t have to get far outside of towns to discover that. The ribble valley town of Whalley is a prime example, with just a few hundred meters walk from its vibrant town centre leading you to a beautiful riverside walk with spectacular views over the surrounding hills and a chance to extend your walk into the woods beyond. #getgoing2025 #river #forest #lancashire

The ribble valley is rapidly becoming one of the UKs most popular spots for good food in a relaxing atmosphere as part of the gastropub revolution. This becomes especially prevalent as friends and families are trying to get together over the festive season One of the best spots in the region is the Shireburn arms in the beautiful village of Hurst Green. The warm and welcoming atmosphere means that this place is a true definition of a country pub. #magicalxmastrip

The Lancashire town of Whalley found in the heart of the ribble valley is a true hidden gem. The delightful town centre with its mock Tudor buildings has an incredible selection of restaurants for a town of its size not only that but there are many interesting things to see and do in this small town These attractions include the ruins of a 13th century abbey, the picture perfect parish church and walks through woods and alongside the river. #magicalxmastrip #Ribble

Winter can be a time of the year in the UK where many people turn inside by a warm and cosy fire against the backdrop of colder weather and darker nights. However one of the best tonics for this is to get out into nature and enjoy all that this season has to offer. A spectacular site to do this in is Spring Wood, just outside the Lancashire town of Whalley. A walk through the woodland here is greeted by the sound of winter birds and stunning views across the Lancashire countryside. An added bonus is at this time of year you will often have the place to yourself #magicalxmastrip #winterwalks

England is of course famous for both its history and its castles and Lancashire is no exception. The fantastic whalley abbey is well worth a trip, especially considering the entrance fee is only £3. The site contains many sites of interest from the ruins of a 13th century abbey, the wonderful gatehouse which you enter underneath and the 16th Manor House. If there weather is nice you can also take a walk around the beautiful gardens that surround the site. #magicalxmastrip #abbey #history

New Zealand may be more well known for the location of Lord of the Rings due to the early 2000s trilogy being filmed there, but in a corner of rural Lancashire you can visit the original inspiration for Tolkien’s epic. Located outside the village of Hurst Green, the Tolkien trail follows a 5 or 8 mile route through rolling hills and fields, woodland streams and eventually the Rivers Ribble and Calder. It was said that whilst working at the nearby Stonyhurst College during the Second World War, Tolkien was inspired to create the follow up to his fantasy novel The Hobbit. #lancashire

Many people are put off by hiking some of the fells of Northern England by how strenuous they might be. Longridge Fell just outside the town of the same name may be the answer, despite its elevation and isolated looking location, the walk from the easily accessible village of Hurst Green is one that can be tackled by anyone with a moderate amount of fitness. #hike

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