Clitheroe

Clitheroe is a town and civil parish in the Ribble Valley district of Lancashire, England. It lies on a hill overlooking the valley of the River Ribble and serves as a market town for the surrounding rural area. It lies near the Forest of Bowland, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The town has a population in the region of about 15,000 and functions as a local center for commerce, services and tourism, with a historic market and a range of shops, pubs and restaurants.

Clitheroe’s history centers on Clitheroe Castle, a Norman-era fortress mounted on Castle Hill. The Keep dates to the 12th century, and the castle grounds offer views over the town and house a local history museum. The parish church of St Mary’s is a medieval landmark, and the town preserves parts of its medieval street pattern, including the Market Place where the weekly market is held.

Transportation links include Clitheroe railway station on the Leeds to Morecambe line (the Bentham Line), providing connections to cities in the region. Road routes link Clitheroe with the A59 and surrounding towns. The local economy is supported by retail, agriculture in the surrounding Ribble Valley and Bowland area, and visitors drawn to the historic site and countryside.

Education and culture in Clitheroe include several primary schools and secondary schools such as Ribblesdale High School. The town hosts community events, markets, and festivals that take place around the castle and Market Place, contributing to a rural-urban blend typical of towns in the Ribble Valley.