The Area

Within a short 10-minute drive from the park you will find the village of Sawley, lying at the heart of this village is Sawley Abbey where the remains of the Abbey are still visible against a dramatic countryside backdrop. This is a must see if you are looking to explore the natural heritage of the area.

Just five miles from the park is the unmissable Pendle Hill, which provides a fantastic hike and viewpoint across the whole region. Nearby villages include Barley, which has a selection of cafes and tea rooms for a pit stop! You’ll also find the Pendle Sculpture Trail on the outskirts of the village, a fantastic trip out as a family discovering sculptures within a woodland setting.
An excellent nearby family destination is Thornton Hall Country Park offering a variety of fun-filled activities, including go karting, mazes, a play barn and quad biking! Just a fifteen-minute drive from the park, this is a perfect day out whilst on holiday.

Further afield, but still within an hour’s drive of the park, you will find spa towns such as Harrogate and Ilkley, with plenty to see and do making for the perfect day trip! Dine in style at Betty’s Tea Rooms or browse the many shops and arcades, you’ll be spoilt for choice whilst also taking in historic buildings and a rich heritage.

For a family day out, the seaside resort town of Blackpool is within an hour’s drive of our Ribble Valley park and home to numerous attractions that will keep children and adults of all ages entertained, including the world-famous Pleasure Beach theme park.

If you’re looking for somewhere to stay, we offer a variety of 5-star accommodation, perfectly situated to explore everything that the area has to offer.

Malham Cove

Roughly 260ft tall, Malham Cove is a magnificent sight to see as you approach from Malham Village. Peregrine Falcons can often be seen nesting in the ledges of the limestone formation, whilst the walking route provides a wonderful circular walk.

Gawthorpe Hall, National Trust

Owned by the National Trust, Gawthorpe Hall is a fantastic place to visit if you have an interest in art and historical locations. An Elizabethan mansion house and garden, access to the estate is open all year round.

Skipton Castle

One of the most complete and well-preserved medieval castles in England, Skipton Castle is a great place to visit if you are in the area, where you can learn about our history of this medieval fortress which is over 900 years old!

Thornton Hall Country Park

A local attraction with lots of fun-filled activities, Thornton Hall Country Park is the perfect place to visit as a family. This working farm has a variety of animals you can see, feed and even pet – alongside a play barn, tractor rides, a play barn and more!

Eureka Children’s Museum

Eureka is the National Children’s Museum, just over an hour’s drive from the park, if you are willing to make the journey this is the perfect place to visit if you have little ones! Featuring hundreds of hands-on activities, you’re guaranteed a lot of fun if you visit!

Forest of Bowland AONB

Our Ribble Valley park is in the perfect spot to explore the Forest of Bowland, nationally recognised as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The area is filled with walking routes, cycling routes and other activities including fishing and paragliding.

If you are one for the outdoors, our location by the Forest of Bowland is ideal for getting out there and exploring!

Ribchester Roman Bath House

A must-see for fans of ancient history, visitors can still identify the remains of a Roman bathhouse at this site including the sudatorium (the sweating room), the tepidarium (the warm room), and the caldarium (the hot room).

Named after the river that runs through it, the Ribble Valley has a long and vibrant history that dates back to the Roman era and beyond. The Rimington Heritage Trail offers visitors the perfect opportunity to see some of the area’s most historic sights, including an 18th century listed building and a 19th-century chapel.

Listed as ‘Renistone’ in the Domesday Book of 1086, Rimington has played an important role in local history at various stages over the past centuries. The town was an important centre of lead mining until the late 19th century, and at one time the town was so known for producing silver as a by-product of lead mining that Elizabeth I declared the Stopper Lane Mine to be a Mine Royal.

The region’s history can also be experienced on a number of local walks that incorporate both natural and manmade elements of the valley’s history, including showstopping views of the valley itself as well as structural landmarks such as the Ribblehead Viaduct.

If you’re looking for things to do in Ribble Valley, there are plenty of exciting Ribble Valley walks to experience during your stay in the area.

The Tolkien Trail

Fiction fans can take the Tolkien Trail, a 9km circular walking route that starts and finishes at Hurst Green. This route includes a number of local spots that are thought to have inspired J.R.R. Tolkien’s writing during his time at Stonyhurst College during the Second World War, including Shire Lane and River Shirebourn.

Roeburndale

This is an intensive walk, around 8 miles long, that offers a unique opportunity to catch a glimpse of some of the Ribble Valley’s most precious wildlife. Wood Warblers and Green Woodpeckers can be seen during the right seasons on this steep walk through the woodlands of Roeburndale.

Newton Circular

Another circular walking route, this 1-2 hour walk begins in Newton-in-Bowland will guide you through natural parkland along a picturesque riverside path. This route includes some ascent, so bring a camera to capture some brilliant views of the valley and look out for Knowlmere Manor on the way.

Rimington Heritage Trail

Starting at Bustard’s Farm this trail takes approximately 2 to 2.5 hours across tracks, fields and roads before finishing back at your start point at Bustard’s Farm. Approximately a 4.5 miles walk, this trail is full of Heritage and History with way posts at old mines and chapels, schools, and institutes this is a trail the ultimate Rimington trail.