WHALLEY – (about 15 minutes’ drive from Meadow Cottage)
Longridge | Chipping | Clitheroe & Clitheroe Castle | Pendle Hill and the Lancashire Witches | The Ribble Valley
Nestling at the foot of Whalley Nab, under the watchful eye of a 14th century Abbey, this fascinating village sits alongside the beautiful River Calder.
Whalley is a village steeped in history and full of surprises, from the Grade II character cottages to its thriving retail, boutique and café culture. Along the Main Street and side lanes you will discover a remarkable range of restaurants and bistros, jewellers, hair and beauty salons, specialist wine merchants, delightful delicatessens and designer clothing boutiques. Whalley is a haven for independent trading attracting visitors from across the United Kingdom for its unique shopping, dining and historical attractions.
Whalley offers some of the finest dining in the Ribble Valley with a remarkable range of food on offer for a village, from afternoon tea to authentic Italian restaurants and places like Benedict’s, where delicious dishes are served all day with the signature breakfast Eggs Benedict, a firm favourite with locals and tourists alike.
One of the village’s most popular places is Whalley Abbey, a former monastery of the 14th century Cistercian monks.
Today, the stone walls surround a stunning retreat and conference centre with a coffee shop, exhibition centre, and you can explore the gardens and extensive grounds. The Abbey also offers four-star accommodation. Another delight to visit is St Mary and All Saints Parish Church which dates to 628 AD, and if you stroll through the pretty churchyard, you will see three Saxon crosses. Another attraction is Ribble Valley’s iconic viaduct. Constructed in 1850, it is the longest in Lancashire, built to carry the railway over the River Calder.
