The weather was the best of the winter, with clear skies and sunshine, but cold, when Manchester’s Google Local Guides descended on Clitheroe for an orientation visit and photo walk, on February 2nd 2019.
Clitheroe is an ancient market town in rural Lancashire, about 30 miles north of Manchester city centre, but in an almost different world. It sits in The Ribble Valley, with the renowned Pendle Hill to the east, and The Bowland Fells to the west. It’s presided over by its 800 year old Norman stone castle, though it’s believed there was an older wooden castle on the hill for a couple of centuries before the stone castle was built. The market is an open market, and until recent years the cattle market was held in the town centre, although it’s now moved to the edge of town.
After a brief walk to the ancient market place, the group was surprised by the town crier welcoming them with a traditional town cry.
Clitheroe market has been selling to the local community, and visitors alike, since the 12th Century. We wandered around the market enjoying the atmosphere, while some of us took advantage of the variety of stalls, including finding something for a morning snack.
There followed a brief walk to the famous Byrne’s Wine Merchants where we were able to explore the maze like sub-street-level cellars with almost every sort of wine known to drinkers, from every wine growing region of the world. We did this with a glass of wine in hand, courtesy of the family ownership, to whom I would like to express our gratitude.
Next, a brief walk via the town centre (where we compared LS Lowrie’s pictures of Church Brow with the actual street scene) to The Chocolate Works where, although he was unable to do the short talk he had originally planned, the owner had kindly reserved a table for us, and we were able to taste many of the delicious chocolate drinks and eats.
Simon Entwistle of Top Hat Tours (a well-respected local tour guide and entertainer) met us there, and quickly became a friend. He gave us a well informed tour of many historical places in Clitheroe, including the location of the invention of the jet engine by Sir Frank Whittle, and the barracks of a regiment of foot soldiers stationed in the town centre to quell the cotton riots of 1878 days before the same men were sent to their death in the Zulu Wars in South Africa.
Simon then guided us up the Motte and Bailey castle, with more stories of historic Clitheroe and its development over 1000 years of history. There were magnificent views of the entire Ribble Valley and beyond, including the magnificent Pendle Hill, home of the witch trials of the 1600s, and the location of a recent Dr Who episode.
Finally, and very welcomed, was our visit to Holmes Mill Food Hall, Beer Hall and Hotel. This former cotton mill was the last one working in Clitheroe. On its recent closure it was redeveloped into a modern complex which retains much of its internal industrial heritage. There is a large food hall selling local Lancashire produce alongside some world produce, an ice cream shop, a brewery brewing local ales (which we sampled!) and the UK’s longest bar in the beer hall.
The day of orientation and photos ended in the warm atmosphere of The Chimney Room at Holmes Mill, around the blazing fire, and eating traditional Lancashire food and consuming a variety of local drinks.
The full range of photos taken and shared by the group can be found here, with my thanks.
The photographers were Tim Bull, Adrian Lunsong, Alan Jones, Russell Holden and Peter Williams
Find Clitheroe on Google Maps here
