Clitheroe Castle Museum - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting

A majestic castle perched above the town of Clitheroe where it has dominated the skyline for 800 years. This majestic house tells the story of the town, the formation of the landscape 350 million years ago and why the Ribble Valley is a haven for Lancashire's wildlife. Moving through the galleries,

This 14th century gatehouse belonged to the nearby Cistercian abbey, which was once the second wealthiest monastery in Lancashire. The abbey was founded in 1296 by the De Lacy family for monks from Stanlow Abbey in Cheshire and grew to become the second most powerful abbey in Lancashire. The ruins of the abbey are recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade I listed building.

Pendle Hill, a prominent limestone hill, rises to 1,831 feet above the towns of Clitheroe and Whalley. It is still an untamed place, full of mystery and infamous as the home of the Pendle Witches who were tried and executed for witchcraft in 1612. The hill is also famous for its links to three events that took place in the 17th century: the Pendle witch trials, Richard Towneley's barometer experiment, and the vision of George Fox, which led to the foundation of the Quaker movement.

Browsholme Hall has been the ancestral home of the Parkers, Bowbearers of the Forest of Bowland since the time Tudor times. Today it is still the family’s home and visitors are invited to enjoy its magnificent architecture, fabulous interiors and antique furnishings set in the stunning landscape of the Hodder Valley.

Longridge Fell is the most southerly fell in England, near the town of Longridge. It is a good example of a cuesta; the ridge has a sharp drop or escarpment on its northern side and a gentler, more varying slope on its southern side. These features make it a popular takeoff for hang-gliders and paragliders on the relatively infrequent occurrences of a northerly wind. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, and nature trips.

Bowland Wild Boar Park is a family run business set in 65 acres in the heart of the Forest of Bowland near Chipping. Visitors can see the animals, explore their habitats and meet and hold some of the smaller residents . There are walking trails, lovely views and a popular café.