The old market town of Barnoldswick sits amongst beautiful rolling countryside in the Pennine hills on the Lancashire/Yorkshire border, just eight miles from Skipton, the Gateway to the Yorkshire Dales. A thriving town known affectionately to locals as Barlick – lies at the very heart of England and is proud of its in manufacturing history, from a significant textile industry through to today’s aero engines built at the Rolls Royce factory. Pennine cycle and bridleway routes pass through the town and the superb summit stretch of the Leeds & Liverpool canal meanders through the town and the thriving marina. Wonderful walking countryside abounds with the rolling heather moorland of Weets and Pendle hill boasting some of the finest views in the country, excellent walks along the old Roman road at Brogden Lane and the canal towpath provides great walking and cycling opportunities. The town offers lots of local shops serving an array of local produce with baked artisan loaves gracing bakers windows and locally reared meat on butchers blocks. Nearby, Skipton a lovely old market town with much to interest the enthusiastic visitor, boasting an ancient castle open to the public, a beautiful old parish church and a colourful market occupying the cobbled setts each side of the high street. In 2008 the Academy of Urbanism voted Skipton High Street the best shopping spot in Britain, and The Copper Dragon Brewery, opened in 2002 is highly rated in the CAMRA listings. Steam railways with regular excursions are available at Embsay and Bolton Abbey, and the Leeds to Liverpool Canal passes through Skipton with the one mile long Foulridge Tunnel and the 5-rise locks at Bingley within a short distance away. In 2014 the area hosted the first leg of the Tour de France, bringing in many visitors from far and wide to this wonderful area.
