Discover Slaidburn: Heritage and Landscape

Slaidburn lies on the banks of the River Hodder in the moorland landscape of the Forest of Bowland National Landscape. Both offer concrete points of reference when choosing a destination: historic landmarks in the village, and natural areas and paths in the surrounding countryside.

Heritage and Village History

The Slaidburn Heritage Centre provides tourist information. It houses exhibitions and artefacts relating to the heritage of the village and the Forest of Bowland, as well as an audiovisual presentation on these subjects. A distinctive carving, the 10th-century Angel Stone, can be seen there. The Centre thus connects local history with the wider landscape in which Slaidburn is situated.

St Andrew’s Church is also an important landmark in the village’s history: its history can be traced back over ten centuries. The church is listed as a Grade I listed building. Its notable features include an 18th-century three-tier pulpit with fringed cushions. The churchyard also contains a sundial with a brass dial and gnomon. The gnomon is the part of a sundial whose shadow can be read on the dial.

The Hark to Bounty is an inn dating back to the 16th century. A cross base stands beside the New Bridge and is believed to be the base of the village cross. The cross is said to have once stood opposite the Hark to Bounty Inn. The identification of the base therefore remains a historical tradition; at the same time, it points to a specific connection between the cross and the inn.

Riverside Landscape and Nature

The landscape includes the Bell Sykes Farm Meadows in Slaidburn. The site comprises six unfertilised, flower-rich meadows and is among the last unfertilised, flower-rich grasslands in this part of Lancashire. The figure of six makes the extent of the meadowland clear; its significance also lies in the rarity of this habitat in the region.

The River Hodder also shapes the local opportunities. Near Slaidburn, fishing is possible along a 2.5-mile stretch between Hammerton Hall and Great Dunnow, but only from certain sections of the riverbank. If fishing is important to your travel plans, check the local conditions in advance. There is also a meadow beside the Riverbank Tearooms on the riverbank, which is suitable for a picnic.

Walking and the Night Sky

The Ribble Valley Jubilee Trail is a 65-mile circular walking route through the Ribble Valley countryside and the Forest of Bowland. It passes through Slaidburn. This distance describes the entire circular route; to get a sense of the route, you can consult the route information on the Ribble Valley Borough Council website.

Another connection to the landscape is Slaidburn car park: it is designated a Dark Sky Discovery Site within the Forest of Bowland. Conditions for stargazing vary depending on the season. Bear this in mind if you would like to include this in your plans for your stay.

Discover more destinations: Poulton Le Fylde, Kelbrook, Newchurch, Croston, Goosnargh, Skelmersdale, Salterforth, Appley Bridge.

For the broader travel overview: Lancashire.