Between Blackpool And Skipton Is A Charming Market Town With Local Eateries, Shops, And A Scenic Castle

Just north of the bustling industrial cities of Liverpool, Manchester, and Leeds is the beautiful Lancashire countryside. Away from the cities, you can breathe in the clean air, take a walk along a lazy river, and enjoy a more leisurely day. Tucked into this idyllic landscape is the small town of Clitheroe. It sits in the Ribble Valley between the main uplands of the Forest of Bowland Natural Landscape and Pendle Hill, a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. While Clitheroe is a popular gateway to the parkland, it's also a destination in its own right. The charming market town has been welcoming visitors for centuries. Today, the draw is much the same, with modern food festivals and local eateries to tempt the palate and boutique shops to tempt your pocketbook.

Easily reachable by car or train, Clitheroe is about an hour east of Blackpool and 30 minutes west of Skipton, or around an hour north of Manchester. The market has always been the backbone of the town, but there's also a storied history to the region. Pendle Hill is just 20 minutes from Clitheroe, and villages around it were home to many of those accused in the infamous 1612 Pendle witch trials. J.R.R. Tolkien also spent time at nearby Stonyhurst College in the 1940s, during the years he was writing "The Lord of the Rings." Explore those historic connections you explore this cute town before heading home with a full belly and a shopping bag.

While England has no shortage of endlessly charming country escapes, Clitheroe is an excellent option for a shopping day trip, with its market, the Holmes Mill development, and the many shops and eateries scattered about town. Clitheroe Market has held a regular market since the 12th century, and it still draws shoppers today. Visitors arriving by train will find the market just a short walk from the station. Vendors sell locally sourced food and other goods, giving shoppers a chance to support local farmers and businesses.

In the summer, the free Clitheroe Food Festival transforms the town and brings together vendors from across the U.K. to show off the best locally produced food and drinks in the country. Tens of thousands of visitors descend on the town, which closes off its center streets to vehicles and organizes park-and-rides to accommodate everyone. Vendors expand beyond the market area and into the streets with stalls selling everything from fresh produce and local meat to organic dairy products and homemade pasties. If you're a foodie, you won't want to miss this event.

Beyond the market, the rest of the town is walkable and has even more shopping and local eateries to discover. A former textile factory, Holmes Mill, has been redeveloped into a bustling hub for food, shopping, and lodging. The Spinning Block Hotel is in the factory's oldest buildings, restored and transformed into a comfortable, modern hotel. The Bowland Beer Hall houses one of the U.K.'s longest bars, the Bowland Food Hall stocks artisan ingredients and meals, while the Bowland Social is a spot to grab drinks and catch up with friends over a game of shuffleboard or darts.

Still standing proudly atop its hill in the center of town, the Norman keep of Clitheroe Castle overlooks the town and the Ribble Valley toward Pendle Hill. The castle museum is housed in the 1700s-era Steward's House and covers the castle's and region's history, from geology and archaeology to how medieval occupants used the castle. While the walk up is steep, the grounds offer scenic views of the surrounding area. Bring the kids to frolic on the 16 acres of green space, wander through the labyrinth, and admire the war memorial and pinnacle.

If you want to cool off on a hot day, try the Edisford Bridge Picnic Area on the banks of the Ribble River. A five-minute drive or a 25-minute walk from the center of Clitheroe, the Edisford Bridge is a photogenic stone arch bridge with a park and paths along the river. Meet friends for a playdate, wade in the shallow water, or grab lunch at the nearby Edisford Bridge pub.

Clitheroe is also a handy gateway to the Forest of Bowland National Landscape, which includes the forest northwest of the town and Pendle Hill east of town. This area has over 100 walking and cycling trails with several options starting in town or along the river, but one of the most popular Lancashire trails is a 15-minute drive away in Hurst Green. The Tolkien Trail inspired one of Britain's most famous fantasy realms and is a beautiful walk through the English countryside. For your next Lancashire adventure, explore a different section of the Forest of Bowland by swapping Clitheroe for Garstang, another charming medieval town with shopping near Blackpool.