Discover Longridge & the
Forest of Bowland

Where is Longridge?

Longridge is a market town in the Ribble Valley district of Lancashire, nestled between Preston and the spectacular moorland of the Forest of Bowland. It sits at the foot of Longridge Fell — the southernmost edge of the Bowland uplands — and enjoys sweeping views across the Ribble Valley on clear days.

It's a genuinely well-placed base: quiet and rural, yet within easy reach of Preston (8 miles), Clitheroe (12 miles), the M6 motorway, and Manchester Airport (around 40 miles). You get the peace of the countryside without being cut off from everything.

Beacon Fell Country Park

Just a few minutes' drive from the cottage, Beacon Fell Country Park is one of Lancashire's best-loved outdoor spaces. The summit at 266 metres gives panoramic views over Morecambe Bay, the Lake District fells, Pendle Hill, and the Ribble Valley — on a clear day it's hard to beat.

There are waymarked trails for all abilities through conifer woodland, open moorland, and grassland. The car park has a café, and the walks range from gentle 30-minute strolls to longer circular routes taking in the surrounding farmland. It's a favourite with families, dog walkers, and cyclists alike.

Good to know

• Car park is pay-and-display, open year-round
• Dogs welcome on leads
• Several circular walking routes from 1 to 4 miles
• Accessible paths suitable for pushchairs on lower routes

The Forest of Bowland AONB

The Forest of Bowland is one of England's most unspoilt landscapes — a vast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty covering 300 square miles of moorland, deep valleys, and limestone ridges. Despite the name, it's largely open moorland rather than forest, and all the more dramatic for it.

The Trough of Bowland road is a highlight in itself — a winding single-track lane through the heart of the moors, with barely a building in sight and red kites overhead if you're lucky. The villages of Dunsop Bridge and Newton are perfect stopping points, with the Puddleducks tearoom in Dunsop Bridge a well-known favourite.

For walkers, the Bowland Fells offer challenging moorland routes including the Bowland Witches trail and paths to Ward's Stone, the highest point in Lancashire at 561 metres.

The Village of Chipping

Just five miles from Longridge, Chipping is one of the most picturesque villages in Lancashire — and one of the best-kept secrets in the north of England. The village centre is built around a traditional square with stone-flagged streets, a 16th-century church, and a cluster of independent shops and tea rooms.

The Sun Inn is a popular destination for Sunday lunches, and Berry's chairs — a family-run furniture maker operating from the village since the 1800s — is worth a look. The surrounding countryside is gorgeous walking territory with good circular routes back towards Longridge.

Ribble Valley & Clitheroe

The Ribble Valley is the broader landscape that frames the whole area — a gentle river valley of farmland, woodland, and historic villages that stretches from the Pennines to the outskirts of Preston. The River Ribble itself is excellent for fishing and riverside walking, particularly around Ribchester (a former Roman settlement, 5 miles from Longridge) and Hurst Green.

Clitheroe, about 12 miles away, is the main market town of the valley. Its Norman castle is one of the smallest in England and sits on a volcanic plug with great views. The town has a good range of independent restaurants, a weekly market, and is home to the award-winning Bowland Brewery. Whalley Abbey ruins, a few miles south, are well worth the short detour.

Pendle Hill

Visible from the higher ground around Longridge on clear days, Pendle Hill is one of Lancashire's most iconic landmarks — famous for the Pendle Witch trials of 1612 and for being one of the finest walks in the county. The summit at 557 metres is a straightforward climb from several starting points and rewards with views stretching to the Yorkshire Dales on a good day.

The villages of Downham and Barley at the foot of the hill are both worth a visit — Downham in particular is a film-set-perfect estate village with no TV aerials allowed, used regularly for TV and film productions.

Getting Around

A car is the most practical way to explore this part of Lancashire — the countryside roads are part of the experience and most attractions don't have frequent public transport links. The M6 motorway is a short drive away (Junction 31a/32), putting the Lake District, Yorkshire, and Manchester all within comfortable day-trip distance.

• Preston train station: 8 miles (taxis and local buses available)
• Manchester Airport: approx 40 miles via M6
• Lake District (Windermere): approx 45 miles via M6 North
• York: approx 80 miles via A59/A1M
• Blackpool: approx 20 miles