The Lancashire Rail Ramblers programme of Yorkshire Dales Explorer guided walks has now finished but there is still plenty to do if you want to explore the Ribble Valley and the Yorkshire Dales.
Appleby Station towards the town – photo © Richard Watts
Using the outward service, you can still connect into a northbound service on the Settle to Carlisle Line at either Hellifield or Ribblehead and spend some time in Appleby or Carlisle. Using the first return service from Ribblehead, with connections from the Carlisle and Leeds directions you can explore the Ribble Valley.
Other Things to do using the Yorkshire Dales Explorer
Clitheroe
There are plenty of places to eat, drink and visit in Clitheroe including:
Bowland Beer Hall & Foodhall – photo © Visit Lancashire
Bowland Beer Hall, and the Bowland Food Hall both at Holmes Mill, approximately 15 minutes from the station.
Clitheroe Castle Keep – photo © Simon Clarke
Clitheroe Castle & Museum – open Saturdays 11:00 – 16:00, approximately 10 minutes from the station
Clitheroe Market – open Saturdays 09:00 – 16:00 (a traditional open-air market), approximately 5 minutes from the station.
Byrnes Independent Wine Merchants Shop and Warehouse, shop 5 minutes from station & warehouse 10 minutes from station.
Pendle Hill – photo © nagualdesign (CC BY-SA 4.0)
And of course, for those who fancy a brisk walk there is Pendle Hill (557 metres) which will take around 2 hours to reach the summit from the station. Use Ordnance Survey map OL41 Forest of Bowland & Ribblesdale.
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
Whalley
A good number of cafes and pubs available in the village centre, approximately 10 minutes from the station.
Whalley Abbey Ruins – photo © Simon Clarke
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.
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/
Langho
Northcote Manor – experience lunch in one of Lancashire’s finest Michelin starred restaurants, 5 minutes from the station. Booking essential on northcote.com/dining-at-northcote/the-restaurant/.
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.
Walker/Wood Organ, Blackburn Cathedral – photo © Blackburn Cathedral
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.
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.
Blackburn Market – photo © Safiq Khan
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.
For more information about the Yorkshire Dales Explorer including times and fares visit Yorkshire Dales Explorer and for other suggestions of places to visit Places to Visit
