With a view of Pendle Hill in the distance, the River Ribble is at its best as it flows past Ribchester. The village hugs the banks of the Ribble, with its quaint tight-terraced streets adding to its undeniable charm. The White Bull Hotel, recently under new management, and Rollinson Gallery both sit at the heart of the village, just a few strides away from the serene riverside area.
In the opposite direction, just around the corner, past the Millennium Sculpture Garden and the popular Potters Barn Café is the recreation ground. The impressive playground has, for a long time, attracted families from across Lancashire. The Rec, as it is known locally, is also home to Ribchester Tennis Club and the thriving Ribchester Rovers Football Club.
The Rec is the focal point for the village in the summer months, hosting annual events like Rock of The Rec, Field Day and RibFest. Ribchester Amateur Theatrical Society, which has a big focus on young people and is known affectionately as the RATS, will celebrate its 200th production this year.
Of the three cotton mills which dominated the village’s industry over 100 years ago, only one now remains. Bee Mill houses a diverse array of businesses, including Ascot Studios Art Gallery.
The Black Bull, Ribchester Arms and The White Bull Hotel form a golden triangle of village pubs. Stydd Restaurant up Stoneygate Lane offers a wonderfully unique experience of lunch in a lavish Glasshouse.
But it’s the Roman history which the villagers are most proud about. The Roman Museum next to St Wilfrid’s Church, offers a thoroughly enjoyable exploration through the ancient past which includes a replica of the Ribchester Helmet, dating from between 1AD and 2AD, which was found in the village in 1796.
WHAT TO BUY
Ribchester feels almost cut off from the rest of the Ribble Valley because of the long roads dropping down into the village from north and south – but this has also protected house prices.
That’s great news for would-be house buyers looking around Church Street, Water Street and Greenside and one of the reasons why the village is so popular with commuters.
While the Ribble Valley is one of the most expensive areas in which to purchase property in the North West, Ribchester offers slightly cheaper accommodation by comparison. House prices in the village have risen by seven per cent in the past 12 months.
The average house price in Ribchester is £350,000, with detached properties having a notable premium, starting at £400,000, and terraced houses coming in at around £200,000.
There are numerous detached properties and farmhouse conversations dotted around the outskirts of the village. Most homes in the centre are terraced. These terraces are highly sought-after because of their cottage-style frontage which makes the village look so attractive. Some cottages are fairly small inside. These contrast starkly with some of the larger detached properties located on the edges of farmland.
WHAT THE LOCALS SAY
Viki Mason, who runs forest school classes, moved to Ribchester 30 years ago with her husband, Guy. ‘This is our fourth house in the village, we just love it. When we first moved here I got involved with the local amateur dramatic society, which is brilliant and was very welcoming from the beginning. We’ve made a lot of friends.’
Along with their two children, Viki and Guy have been involved in numerous community groups including Ribchester Rovers, the tennis club, and RATS theatre group and festivals.
Viki, 52, is particularly proud of RibFest, a village-wide festival which mixes music and theatre, including a walking performance by RATS. ‘It’s a walking play and it’s brilliant. It has been written by Bridget Rabbitts this year, and it’s a historical piece. We will walk around the village, so you get to see little secret gardens and hidden places in the village that you might not already see.
‘There are things in Rib all year round. And we have all sorts of different societies and groups, allotments, a gardening society, artists’ groups. There’s a WI group with over 50 permanent members. The bell ringers is another really fun group. It’s a really vibrant village, people are very supportive of each other.’.
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