This trio of villages sits in the very heart of the Forest of Bowland National Landscape, which means that travelling to - and between - any of them involves a drive or cycle through beautiful rolling rural scenery. It also means you’re never far from an official designated ‘Dark Sky Discovery Site’ for unbeatable star gazing.
Gisburn Forest near Slaidburn is one such dark sky area, and – in the daylight hours – also offers exciting off-road mountain biking tracks and varied walking routes.
As well as being at the centre of the Forest of Bowland, Dunsop Bridge represents the geographical centre of Great Britain. This is marked by a rather unassuming phone box on the village green which was officially unveiled in the 90s by renowned adventurer Sir Ranulph Fiennes. …More pedantic visitors might want to hike to the country’s actual centre point, some 7km away at Whitendale Hanging Stones.
Eco-conscious visitors to the area, or those who fancy a glass of something sociable, can leave the car and use the recently re-established bus route from Clitheroe to visit Dunsop Bridge, Newton, Slaidburn, and Settle. Similarly, visitors to Chipping by bus can take in picturesque Whalley, Hurst Green, and Ribchester en route.
Each of the three villages has a historic church (or two) with plenty of interesting stories to discover; St Hubert’s in Dunsop Bridge was built by the Towneley Family, of Towneley Hall, using winnings from their racehorse Kettledrum. There’s even a painting of the celebrated horse hidden within the richly decorated apse.
Charming Chipping has not one, but two cafes of its own, a farm shop, and two popular pubs on its characterful main street. The Sun Inn is well known for supposedly being haunted by the ghost of heartbroken Lizzie Dean, and yet still manages to achieve a cheery and welcoming atmosphere, as does the nearby Tillotsons Arms. You’ll find lunch, cakes and coffees at Cobbled Corner Café, or Brabbins Shop, and it’s worth the drive just outside the village to track down a decadently creamy ice cream from Farm on the Fell.
Look out for local events during your visit; in small communities such as these, village halls often sit at the heart of village life for concerts, quizzes, craft courses and more. Locals in Slaidburn, for example, now regularly open the village hall bar for lively social evenings, at least until a new landlord takes on the Hark to Bounty pub.
5 THINGS TO DO
SHOWS AND CELEBRATIONS, Slaidburn
Check the calendar for fabulous local events like Slaidburn’s Steam and Vintage Display which will be held on the village green this year on June 7 and 8. The annual May Queen Festival is a celebration of history and tradition, and the Hodder Valley Agricultural Show moves between Slaidburn, Dunsop Bridge, and Newton each year. Chipping has its own impressive Steam Fair and annual agricultural show. slaidburnsteam.co.uk
ALPACA WALKING, Dunsop Bridge
Alison and her alpacas often pop up in unexpected places like schools, weddings and care homes, acting as ring bearers or meeting and greeting residents. But most of the time they’re at home on Wood End Farm offering alpaca walking experiences. This is a particularly accessible activity for all, especially with the farm’s off-road Terrainhopper and Tramper wheelchairs available for those with mobility issues. Visitors can also meet a host of other animals, including the new goats and kunekune pigs, as well as learning all about life on the farm. woodendalpacas.co.uk
BOWLAND WILD BOAR PARK, Chipping
This family-run attraction has plenty to keep the kids entertained before you even get to the animals. There’s a large outdoor play area, small covered play area with pedal tractors, tractor and trailer ride, barrel ride, go karts, and coin-operated diggers. There are also regular special events like forest skills and visitors like bubble magicians. Once you’ve done all that, and had an ice cream for good measure, then you can pet the guinea pigs, hold the chicks, feed the goats, watch the meerkats, find the emus, see the wild boar and much, much more. wildboarpark.co.uk
INCH PERFECT TRIALS, Dunsop Bridge
Inch Perfect Trials offers an adrenaline-filled day out like no other. Here, using the rugged local hillsides, woodlands and streambeds, owner and professional trials bike rider Matthew Alpe has created a 100-acre playground for riders of all abilities from age 7 upwards. Experience days are available every day of the week, whether you’re a professional or a complete novice. There’s also a state-of-the-art showroom packed to the rafters with everything you could possibly need in the world of motorcycle trials; including new and used trials bikes all fully serviced and ready to go and a huge range of clothing, boots, helmets, parts and accessories. inchperfecttrials.co.uk
WONDERFUL WALKS, Slaidburn
The entire area is covered with Instagram-worthy hiking routes, including the circular walk around Stocks Reservoir complete with bird hides to stop off and observe the local wildlife. You can pick up an illustrated guide and do a shorter walk around Slaidburn, learning about the history of the village as you go, or head to the nearby Coronation Meadows at Bell Sykes Farm to appreciate these protected, unimproved wildflower-rich fields.
There are countless walks around Chipping, passing the site of former mills or heading out into the countryside where you can often see members of the Gliding Club taking to the skies. forestofbowland.com/walking
4 PLACES TO EAT AND DRINK
RIVERBANK TEAROOM, Slaidburn
Janet Haigh took over Slaidburn’s tearoom in May 2024 and has already made a positive impression on locals and visitors alike with a modern menu (think smashed avocado with mushrooms and tomato on sourdough) which also still includes old favourites. Visitors are tempted back again and again by a delicious selection of freshly baked cakes, desserts and jersey gold soft serve ice cream. The tearoom’s picturesque location close to the river makes it a popular lunch destination, easily accessed from the village car park. Facebook.com/riverbanktearooms
PARKERS ARMS, Newton in Bowland
Halfway between Dunsop Bridge and Slaidburn, on the winding Waddington Fell road from Clitheroe, you’ll find the multi award-winning Parkers Arms. Menus here are so seasonal they change on a daily or even twice-daily basis, using locally grown or reared produce. Diners choose their own dishes from a fixed price menu (not a set menu) which includes three courses.
Chef/Proprietor Stosie Madi describes the Parkers Arms as ‘a haven for all in search of unfussy, unpretentious no nonsense staunchly excellent food and hospitality’. Which is probably why it was crowned number 1 in the UK’s Top 50 gastropubs in 2023. parkersarms.co.uk
PUDDLEDUCKS, Dunsop Bridge
This tearoom in the village centre is the ideal place to enjoy some lunch, buy some duck food, or get an ice cream to give the kids an energy boost for all the playing they’ll do at the nearby park. Pick up a takeaway coffee and walk the leisurely circular route along the river side over the footbridge and back; mostly along a track, it’s ideal for families with prams, bikes and scooters who may want to stop off for a spot of paddling halfway round. If you want to walk a little further, fortify yourself with a cake at Puddleducks and then head further up the scenic Brennand Valley to Costy Clough waterfall. puddleduckstearooms.co.uk
THE GIBBON BRIDGE, Chipping
Gibbon Bridge Hotel and Restaurant just outside Chipping is known for exceptional dining as well as its enviable location. Produce is sourced from the restaurant’s own kitchen gardens and local suppliers, and an on-site bakery provides the freshly baked bread, biscuits, cakes, desserts and preserves. There are a number of dining/seating options including the conservatory and restaurant, bar area and garden terrace. Bowland Spa which has opened onsite now means you can combine an indulgent treatment with a delicious lunch offer. gibbon-bridge.co.uk
3 PLACES TO STAY
HARTLEYS HUTS, Newton in Bowland
These three beautifully finished glamping pods on Back Lane between Newton and Slaidburn are ideally located as a base for intrepid hikers in the area, but owner Stuart says many visitors opt to simply stay put. ‘We welcome a lot of walkers, but we also have guests who don’t leave the cabins. You can’t really blame them when there are such great views to be enjoyed from the comfort of the hot tub.’ There are also wood-burning stoves, BBQs, and decked areas to relax on. Look out for highland cows (and calves if you’re lucky) at this picturesque farm location.
instagram.com/hartleys_huts
INN AT WHITEWELL, Dunsop Bridge
This historic hotel has maintained its popularity throughout the decades by remaining authentically unique. In the main bar, it’s not unusual to find wedding guests mingling with locals, shooting parties, or walkers in their hiking boots; all enjoying the same warm welcome and lovely view of the River Hodder.
Featured on many TV programmes including Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon’s ‘The Trip’, the inn was also a favourite of Queen Elizabeth II.
All bedrooms are dog friendly and decorated in their own individual style. Choose open fires, roll top baths, river views, or even your own suite.
innatwhitewell.com
DUSTY CLOUGH BARN, Chipping
There are lots of welcoming self-catering holiday cottages scattered between the villages, including the award-winning Laythams escapes near Slaidburn.
The spacious and secluded Dusty Clough Barn in Chipping sleeps four and offers all the home comforts you could possibly need. Surrounded by fields and fells including Jeffrey Hill’s scenic viewpoint, it is ideally located for hiking, biking, and exploring. But you’d have to be motivated to leave the luxurious wood-fired hot tub and the opportunity to rest and relax in peace on six acres of private land.
Dustycloughbarn.co.uk
2 SHOPS TO VISIT
A vital resource for surrounding villages (the nearest supermarket is at least 20 minutes’ drive away) Slaidburn’s post office and store is a flourishing example of everything a village shop should be. It stocks all household essentials as well as fresh fruit and veg, locally baked treats, gifts, greetings cards and more by local artists. The shop is owned by mother and daughter partnership, Clare and Megan Hardcastle. Clare says ‘we demonstrate our support for the area’s farmers and businesses by selling local produce like meat, cheese and eggs, and we’re open seven days a week.’ The post office operates Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9am-2pm.
Ribble Valley e-Bikes is a friendly, independent retailer of some of the finest e-bike brands in the country, and is the North West’s leading supplier of WOOM kids’ bikes. Owner, Roger Wolstenholme, is on hand to offer simple and straightforward advice for novices, and expert knowledge for experienced e-bike enthusiasts. As well as browsing the huge range of leading brands for sale, visitors to the shop can also hire an e-bike to explore the local area. And if there’s one thing you’ll find in abundance around the Hodder Valley, it’s hills. So hiring an e-bike can give the additional boost you need to reach higher and further; enjoying the views without the struggle. ribblevalley-e-bikes.co.uk
1 LOCAL’S TIP
TROUGH TEAS, Dunsop Bridge
Throughout June, July and August, Dunsop Bridge Village Hall sells fresh homemade sandwiches, cakes and refreshments every Sunday from 11am – 4pm. This regular community-run ‘café’ attracts visitors from far and wide who return year after year. Each week is hosted by volunteers from a different organisation or charity who receive the profits made that day, whether it’s one of the area’s village schools, churches, play area, the WI, or Young Farmers Club. Visitors can enjoy a delicious treat, and a delightfully smug feeling of supporting a deserving local cause.
The village hall is situated on Trough Road, which leads through the dramatic Trough of Bowland to Lancaster with breathtaking views all the way.
