Places of Interest
The following places of interest are situated in the Forest of Bowland AONB and its immediate vicinity. A comprehensive guide to Lancashire attractions - Lancashire’s Great Days Out - is also available from Information Centres.
Please select a number on the map above or make a selection from the list below:
- Browsholme Hall.
- Ribble Valley Sculpture Trail.
- Coronation Gardens Waddington.
- Cromwell Bridge.
- Dunsop Bridge.
- Newchurch-in-Pendle.
- Pendle Heritage Centre.
- Roman Museum Ribchester.
- Sawley Abbey.
- Clitheroe Castle.
- Stonyhurst College.
- Whalley Abbey.
- Slaidburn Heritage Centre.
- Williamson Park.
Browsholme Hall
Browsholme Hall is an historic house and the ancestral home of the Parker Family, Bowbearers of the Forest of Bowland, Lancashire, who have lived there since it was built in 1507. Visit www.browsholme.co.uk for further details.
Sculpture Trail, Ribble Valley
The trail leads from Brungerley Bridge to Crosshills Quarry along part of the Ribble Way and features work produced in carving workshops by local people alongside work by professional artists. Start your walk at grid reference SD740427 and walk out of Clitheroe towards Waddington.
Coronation Gardens, Waddington
The village, named after the Saxon leader Wada, has earned the title of "Best kept Village" in Lancashire on many occasions. At the centre of Waddington are beautiful Coronation Gardens - the main attraction of the village. The ancient church of St. Mary’s has a fifteenth century tower but the remainder was largely restored in 1901. The village Almshouses, also of historic interest, were originally built in the 1700s then rebuilt on their present location around the green.
Cromwell Bridge
This ancient packhorse bridge dating back to the 16th Century derives its name from the reported crossing by Oliver Cromwell before the battle of Preston in 1648. Located at OS Grid Reference SD 704 391.
Dalehead Church
The graveyard is noted for its wide diversity of plants, and also for the new wind turbine which provides power for the church. The church is set in an isolated spot in Gisburn Forest. It was built in 1937 from material from Dalehead Parish Church which was demolished when Stocks Reservoir flooded the village of Stocks-in-Bowland.
Dunsop Bridge
Dunsop Bridge has been officially declared by the Ordnance Survey as the nearest village to the exact centre of the British Isles. This is recognised by a commemorative public telephone box. There is a welcoming gift shop and cafe ‘Puddleducks’ in the village.
Newchurch-in-Pendle
Newchurch-in-Pendle is one of the last unspoilt villages situated in the heart of Pendle Witch country. Visit the witch’s grave and see the ‘Eye of God’ on St. Mary's Churchyard. The Witches Galore Shop sells souvenirs.Parking is available at Barley.
Pendle Heritage Centre
A restored 17th Century and 18th Century house featuring exhibitions about the area including the story of the Pendle Witches. There is a recreated 18th Century walled garden with a woodland walk around the 15th Century Cruck Barn with farm animals, tea room and shop. Visit www.htnw.co.uk/PHFAmain.html for further details.
Roman Museum, Ribchester
A former Roman Fort of Bremetenacum founded in the First Century AD. Its ancient history is recorded in the museum which has many Roman artifacts. Ribchester has been the scene of excavations and investigations from the 16th Century to the present day. The museum seeks to present a picture built up by this research. For further details contact +44 (0) 1254 878 261.
Sawley
This pleasant village on the banks of the Ribble is chiefly known for its ruins of Sawley Abbey. The Abbey was a Cistercian Abbey like Whalley housing the white Monks. The last Abbot, thought to be Thomas Bolton, was concerned in the Pilgrimage of Grace along with Abbot Paslew of Whalley. Sawley Abbey is open to the public, dawn till dusk each day. Visit www.theheritagetrail.co.uk/abbeys/sawley abbey.htm for further details.
Clitheroe Castle
Clitheroe Castle is set in acres of lovely gardens and houses a museum relating to the history and geology of the Ribble Valley. The Norman Castle Keep crowns the bold limestone rock in the centre of town and has dominated its skyline for more than 800 years.
Clitheroe Castle Museum opened on 23 May 2009 following major restoration to the Keep and a complete refurbishment of the museum.
Opening times: April to October 11am to 5pm and November to march 12pm to 4pm. Small admission charge to museum (£3.50 adults, £2.50 concessions) Visitor Enquiries Tel (01200) 424568 or for more information on Clitheroe Castle visit
www.lancashire.gov.uk/clitheroecastlemuseum
Stonyhurst College, Hurst Green
One of the finest boarding and day schools for boys and girls of the Catholic faith. Stonyhurst is a beautiful building with a fascinating history. Arthur Conan Doyle was a scholar and Oliver Cromwell spent the night here. Open to the public at various times throughout the year. Visit www.stonyhurst.ac.uk for further details, or ring UK: 01254 827093 International: +44 1254 827093.
Whalley Abbey
Whalley is famous for its church and Abbey. Whalley Abbey was a large and important Cistercian Monastery. It moved here in 1296 when Abbot Gregory of Norbury and 20 monks arrived. Serious construction began on the site about 1320. The ruins of the Abbey are now open to the public and are protected as an important Ancient Monument. A visitor centre and ‘Memory Lane’ exhibition can be found in the beautiful Abbey grounds.
Slaidburn Heritage Centre
Through displays and an audio-visual presentation, this centre documents local history spanning thousands of years. Group visits are welcome, and packages including guided walks around the village and refreshments are available. Parties of up to 24 can be seated in the tearoom, or larger groups can be accommodated for buffet-style meals. Coach and car parking is available in the village car park, or visitors can be dropped off directly outside. Visit www.htnw.co.uk/Slaimain.html for further details.
Williamson Park
Williamson Park dominates the Lancaster skyline. With spectacular views across Morecambe Bay to the Lakeland Fells as well as Bowland, this 54 acre parkland can be explored by woodland walkways and broad avenues of attractive trees, shrubs and flowers with many quiet resting places to sit and enjoy the Park's peaceful atmosphere. Entertainment for young visitors is provided by safe play equipment, and there are plenty of lawns for games and picnics. Disabled visitors are welcome in the Park, although not all areas may be easily accessible. A car park is situated only 50 yards from the Pavilion Café and Shop. Williamson Park is open from 10am until 4pm every day from October to March. Visit www.williamsonpark.com for further details or ring 01524 33318.
