Explore the Ribble Valley Jubilee Trail

Discovering the villages of one of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s favourite spots on a multi-day hike through the beautiful scenery of the Ribble and Hodder Valleys

In an unguarded moment, Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II confessed that, were she ever to ‘retire’, she would like to spend her dotage in a quiet cottage in the Hodder Valley near Whitewell. This three-day walking itinerary follows some of the most scenic sections of the Ribble Valley Jubilee Trail – a circular long distance hiking route which explores some of the very best bits of the Ribble Valley and Forest of Bowland.

The total mileage over the three days of this itinerary is a relatively modest 22 miles, but don’t worry if the legs fail you, these sections loosely follow the route of the Number 11 bus service, so you’re never more than a couple of miles away from a lift to your next destination.

DAY 1: Clitheroe to Bolton by Bowland

Arrive in Clitheroe by train and from the station, walk along the River Ribble, following the Ribble Way to Sawley. Opportunities to make short detours for refreshment in West Bradford (The Three Millstones) and Grindleton (The Rum Fox).

Explore the ruins of the Cistercian Abbey standing beside the Ribble at Sawley and pop into the Spread Eagle for a drink and snack.

Continue along the Ribble Way upstream to Bolton by Bowland, passing through the grounds of Bolton Hall, where King Henry VI was given sanctuary after his defeat at the decisive Battle of Hexham in 1464 during the Wars of the Roses.

Accommodation at the Coach & Horses in the delightful village of Bolton by Bowland.

DAY 2: Bolton by Bowland to Slaidburn

From Bolton by Bowland, head north on the Ribble Valley Jubilee Trail, climbing steadily to the hilltop village of Tosside, right on the Lancashire/Yorkshire border. From this elevated perch, admire the views over the Bowland Fells and the Yorkshire Dales while enjoying lunch at the Old Vicarage Tearooms. If the legs are flagging catch the Number 11 bus to Slaidburn.

Continue into Gisburn Forest – the largest area of woodland in Lancashire, descending though the pines to Stocks Reservoir. Walk along the shoreline, looking out for rare birds on the water, before following the River Hodder downstream to Slaidburn.

Slaidburn is a beautiful stone village nestling beside the River Hodder: the perfect place for a picnic and a gentle ramble through traditional hay meadows studded with wildflowers during summertime. Stay at Laythams Holiday Lets Retreat overnight.

DAY 3: Slaidburn to Whitewell  

Continue on the Ribble Valley Jubilee Trail to Newton, home to the Parker’s Arms – consistently one of the best gastropubs in Britain – recently ranked number 4 in the UK: Check opening hours. Booking is essential.

Another short stretch of riverside walking along the River Hodder brings you to the pretty village of Dunsop Bridge: the geographical centre of Great Britain.

ACCESSIBLE ADVENTURES

An all-terrain wheelchair is available to hire alongside an alpaca experience at Wood End Farm.  Also, a Tramper is available to hire for use on the Dunsop Bridge Access for All Trail. Pop into Wood End Farm and say hello to the friendly herd of alpacas who live there. Short walks with the alpacas can be booked in advance via Access the Dales website.

• Find out more about tramper hire and accessible routes in the Forest of Bowland

CENTRE OF THE KINGDOM

According to Ordnance Survey, the geographical centre of Great Britain is located near Whitendale Hanging Stones, perched high upon a remote hillside above Dunsop Bridge in the heart of the Forest of Bowland.  Reaching the centre of Great Britain itself is a demanding undertaking which can be incorporated within a more challenging 10–mile circular walk. Enigmatically, the centre point remains unmarked, but head northwest of Whitendale Hanging Stones for Grid Reference SD 642565 to reach the dead centre of Great Britain. If you’re planning to visit the Centre of the Kingdom as part of this itinerary, you’ll need to add another day to incorporate this into your itinerary.

Fortify yourself with coffee and home-made cakes or scones at Puddleducks Tearooms then continue downstream along the River Hodder for the final leg of your walk.

THE LAST LEG: DUNSOP BRIDGE TO WHITEWELL

Continue along the Ribble Valley Jubilee Trail through one of the prettiest stretches of Hodder Valley – flanked by the high Bowland Fells – to the iconic Inn at Whitewell an elegant old coaching inn standing right beside the River.

The Inn at Whitewell has been frequented by the great and the good for centuries. It’s an elegant building in an outstandingly beautiful location overlooking the River Hodder with magnificent views up to the high Bowland Fells.

The Whitewell featured in the first episode of Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon’s hit TV series ‘The Trip’ and dining at the Inn is always a memorable occasion. Catch the number 11 bus from Whitwell back to Clitheroe.

To extend your stay, there are several circular walking route options from the villages along the Service 11 bus route, further information can be found on the Forest of Bowland National Landscape website.

This sustainable tourism itinerary has been funded by the Community Rail Network