The DalesBus 80 service is a bus service operated by Lonsdale Buses as part of the DalesBus network managed by the Dales & Bowland Community Interest Company with financial support from Lancashire Combined County Authority & North Yorkshire Combined Authority.
DalesBus 80 operated by Lonsdale at Ribblehead – photo © Paul Chattwood (DalesBus)
The Service 80 operates between Lancaster Bus Station & Hawes National Park Centre via Wennington, Bentham, Ingleton and Ribblehead Station. The bus timetable allows connections onto the rail service on the Settle to Carlisle Line and in particular into the Yorkshire Dales Explorer (YDE) first return service and the second outward service.
The destination of the bus is Hawes, a historic, scenic market town in the Yorkshire Dales (North Yorkshire), renowned as the home of Wensleydale cheese and one of England’s highest market towns. With a population of roughly 1,100, it features the popular Wensleydale Creamery, the Dales Countryside Museum, and nearby Hardraw Force waterfall.
Details of the DalesBus 80 service can be downloaded on this link DalesBus 80 and full details of the Yorkshire Dales Explorer service can be found on Yorkshire Dales Explorer and timetables showing the connections from the YDE to bus & bus to YDE can be downloaded here: First Northbound & Second Southbound & First Southbound & Second Northbound
Hawes Attractions
+ National Park Visitor Centre – open every day 10:00 – 17:00, the bus stops right outside.
+ Hardraw Force – a gentle 4.3 mile circular walk to one of the great waterfalls of the Dales – see https://www.daleswalks.co.uk/walks/hardraw-force-from-hawes/ for the route. The Force is on private land and there is a £4 admission charge (what3words corrode.standing.basket).
+ Wensleydale Creamery – see this historic cheese being made on a Wensleydale Cheese Experience – click here for details https://www.wensleydale.co.uk/visit-wensleydale-creamery-i117. Adults £5.95 with various reductions for seniors, juniors and family groups (what3words boards.remind.roving).
Ribble Valley & East Lancashire Attractions
CLITHEROE
There are plenty of places to visit, eat and drink in Clitheroe including: All Aboard, Clitheroe
All Aboard is a new café that has opened in the old booking office on Clitheroe station. The café is open Tuesday to Saturday 08:00 – 14:30 serving coffee, sandwiches and home cooked food to take away. More details on their Facebook page on this link
Clitheroe Castle & Museum – open Saturdays 12:00 – 16:00, approximately 10 minutes from the station. A New Exhibition Honours Ken Roberts, a Lancashire Railway Photographer’s Legacy Tracks of Life: Trains Places People, now and until to 30 June 2026. Details on https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/museums/clitheroe-castle-museum/ (what3words body.flop.flamenco).
Clitheroe Market – open Saturdays 09:00 – 16:00 (a traditional open-air market), approximately 5 minutes from the station. https://www.ribblevalley.gov.uk/clitheroe-market-1/clitheroe-market (what3words weds.slacker.eventful).
Byrnes Independent Wine Merchants Shop and Warehouse, shop 5 minutes from station & warehouse 10 minutes from station. https://dbyrnewine.com/ (Warehouse what3words marginal.marble.villager).
Art Galleries – there a number of art galleries in Clitheroe including The Platform Gallery that is right next to the station, which holds regular exhibitions and sells handmade crafts from local and countrywide makers. Open 10:00 – 16:00. https://www.ribblevalley.gov.uk/platformgallery
WHALLEY
A good number of cafes and pubs available in the village centre, approximately 15 minutes from the station.
Whalley Parish Church (St. Mary and All Saints) – visit possibly the oldest parish church in Lancashire (https://www.whalleypc.org.uk/church-history). The church is open on Saturdays from 09:30 – 16:30 and is about 10 minutes from the station. The main entrance is on Church Lane (what3words swerving.liquids.stocks).
Whalley Abbey & East Gatehouse – visit the ruins of this former Cistercian abbey, mostly demolished after the dissolution of the monasteries, 10 minutes directly from the station or approximately 15 minutes via the village centre. Abbot’s Kitchen Café at the Abbey is open on Saturdays from 09:00 – 16:00. https://www.whalleyabbey.org/ (what3words childcare.count.snacks).
Whalley Wine Shop & Bar – a top end wine shop and bar in the centre of the village, approximately 10 minutes from the station. Shop open 10:30 – 18:00 and the Wine Bar opens at 12:00 but booking is essential on thewhalleywinebar.com/ (what3words mass.committe.recover).
BLACKBURN
There is a lot to explore in Blackburn and the town centre is just a short walk from the station. Here are some things that you might like to go and see.
Blackburn Cathedral offers the chance to explore the stunning architecture, rich history and one of the country’s best collections of religious art including Penny Warden’s ‘The Journey’ and a 35ft sculpture, ‘Healing of the Nation’ on the exterior – often described as one of the most innovative pieces of modern sculpture at any English cathedral. The cathedral is just two minutes from the station and is open on Saturdays 08:30 – 16:30. https://blackburncathedral.com/ (what3words basic.tips.wallet).
Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery is the local museum service for the borough of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council. It is a museum with collections of Christian icons, Egyptian hieroglyphs, and local history, as well as those of the former Lewis Textile Museum. The museum is approximately 10 minutes from the station and is open on Saturdays 11:00 – 16:45. (what3words camps.wink.strict).
Blackburn Market is a modern take on a traditional indoor market with food and clothing stalls and much more. Just five minutes from the station it is open 09:00 – 16:00 on Saturdays. https://blackburnmarket.com/ (what3words puddles.skills.hidden).
BOLTON
Bolton Museum, Aquarium & Archive – open Saturdays 09:00 – 17:00
Bolton Museum, Aquarium & Archive – photo © Boltonlams
Le Mans Crescent, Bolton, BL1 1SE – just 10 minutes from the Bolton station
With family friendly events and exhibitions available all year round, enjoy the fascinating story of Bolton, its places and people, alongside displays of Art, Egyptology, Archaeology, Botany and Zoology, as well as Greater Manchester’s only public aquarium! Visit https://www.boltonlams.co.uk/bolton-museum for more details (what3words policy.admits.ears).