Alston House, Longridge

Longridge is a small town and civil parish in the borough of Ribble Valley in Lancashire. Situated 8 miles north-east of the city of Preston, at the western end of Longridge Fell, above the River Ribble. Longridge initially developed outwards from an area around St. Lawrence’s Church, at the boundary of the townships of Dilworth and Alston and to the south of the modern-day town centre. Many of the buildings are built of locally quarried sandstone and despite modern developments; the town centre remains largely as it was when it was first established. The town holds a portfolio of gift shops, cafes, antiques and art studios together with a quaint cinema, plus numerous food outlets from takeaways to gastro pubs. Its nearest neighbours are Grimsargh and the Roman town of Ribchester, with its Roman museum and beautiful church of St Mary’s on the banks of the river Ribble. Clitheroe castle is only 20 minutes down the road. Here there is another wealth of interest, from the historic Browsholme Country Estate, host to regular Farmers Markets. To the southeast Longridge Field Day is a long-standing annual event that consists of a parade through the town, and various attractions on the town’s recreational playing field. The Forest of Bowland (AONB) shows off an expanse of fells criss-crossed with dry stone walls and dotted with picturesque farms and villages. The hen harrier is the bird symbolised on the Forest of Bowland’s logo as it is their most important breeding ground in England. Beyond the Harrier there is a wealth of other wildlife to be spotted from Kingfishers to the Red Grouse. The rivers Ribble, Calder and Hodder converge near the prestigious Catholic Stonyhurst College, providing idyllic landscapes and walks, not least of which – The Tolkien Trail – lead to an abundance of pubs to quench the thirst afterwards. The area sports numerous agricultural shows, art exhibitions and day festivals of all sorts throughout the summer and is within reach of the Lancaster canal and city, Blackpool and the Lake District, so there is plenty to keep everyone occupied.