Clitheroe

Clitheroe is a town in Lancashire's Ribble Valley, where buildings of pale limestone rise along slopes around a low hill. The center gathers around a market square from which short streets lead uphill to the castle rock and outward to residential neighborhoods.

The fortress on the rock was built in the 12th century under Norman rule and served as an administrative seat for the region. Over the centuries, the settlement remained a center for wool and textile trade, which formed the basis of its prosperity.

The name comes from the Old English words for a rocky hill, which still dominates the skyline today. Around the central market square, old merchant houses and inns recall the tradition of trade that shaped the community for centuries.

The railway station provides direct links to Manchester and Blackburn, with trains running regularly throughout the day. Visitors find it easy to explore the center on foot, as most points of interest lie within a short walk of each other.

Below the town center runs a network of underground cellars where a local wine merchant stores thousands of bottles from around the world. Tastings held in these cellars offer insight into a centuries-old tradition of wine trading in the area.

Location: Ribble Valley

GPS coordinates: 53.87110,-2.39160

Latest update: December 14, 2025 17:14