Castle Grounds, Clitheroe

The Castle Grounds wrap around the limestone knoll on which Clitheroe Castle stands, offering one of the finest short walks in the Ribble Valley. The park was laid out in the early 20th century as a memorial to those who fell in the First World War, and the war memorial and formal gardens remain a central feature.

Paths climb from Castle Street up through mature trees and lawns to the castle keep, a small but ancient Norman structure believed to be one of the smallest surviving stone keeps in England. From the summit you'll get sweeping views across the Ribble Valley to Pendle Hill in one direction and the Bowland Fells in the other.

The grounds include a bandstand, a labyrinth, a rose garden, a children's play area and a café. The Clitheroe Castle Museum sits within the grounds too, in the former steward's house. It's a good spot for a picnic, and the walk up is steep but short, taking most visitors around ten minutes at a gentle pace.