Jane Miller – Sales Negotiator
jmiller@abarnett.co.uk 
Armitstead Barnett LLP
Ribble Valley office – 01200 411155

Ask anyone from the South of England if they’ve heard of Clitheroe and they usually happily inform you that they know there’s a nationally acclaimed Purveyor of Fine Wines & Spirits (D Byrne & Co) and a Famous Sausage Shop (Cowmans).  Those more in the know, list out the independent shops and variety of chocolate-box village gastropubs that leave you spoilt for choice at weekends.  Along with the annual Food Festival that gathers momentum year on year (outside of COVID) its easy to see how this historic market town has gained a reputation as a destination for foodies – with many hotels and restaurants jumping on the bandwagon offering gourmet breaks for those seeking a weekend dining, then walking off the excess in our glorious countryside.

Sometimes you’ve got to leave to appreciate what you’ve lost.  Like many young people I left to go to university and spent a further 10 years living abroad.  But, when it was time to come home, overseas friends would presume I was returning to London.  No way!  Clitheroe.

There are few better places to raise a family and it’s not hard to see why the town is double the size it was when I was a kid.  You can’t go wrong with any of the 3 high schools in the town:  Clitheroe Royal Grammar School is always a draw – but don’t dismiss the other 2 secondary schools who send just as many students on to Oxbridge via the Sixth form.    Or perhaps it’s the more rural aspect you crave – we are, afterall, the heart of the Ribble Valley; literally the centre of the Kingdom and gateway to some of the most stunning villages and countryside you’ll find.

A straw poll round the kitchen table the other night listed the Castle, Brungerley Park, Holmes Mill, Clitheroe Wolves Football Club ( a ‘must-join’ if you have sons under 18), the Grand venue, the River Ribble and – (how could I forget!) – Pendle Hill as reasons why we love living in the town.  Let’s also not forget that you can easily escape to Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, the Lakes, the Dales, the seaside…. all within the hour. 

But that’s not why I love living here.  It’s the people.  Granted, this is my home-town – but I challenge you to find a better sense of community and a more friendly bunch of locals.  The Office of National Statistics recently ranked the Ribble Valley as the Happiest Place to Live in the UK, bucking the trend against the rest of Lancashire – putting it all down to its sense of community.
I’ll take that.

If you are considering a move to Clitheroe then call our Ribble Valley office on 01200 411 155 – or email clitheroe@abarnett.co.uk and we will be delighted to help you!