Explore

Discover more in South Ribble.

South Ribble is full of charm and a sense of community with an incredible mix of towns and villages to explore.

Whether you're a local, visiting for the day, or planning a longer trip to the area, South Ribble has all you need. 

See an overview of the borough's charming and unique areas.

Bamber Bridge

Bamber Bridge is located just off the M65 and offers a wide range of shops and amenities including a large Sainsburys, B&Q and selection of independent shops such as Bamber Bridge Sports, sweet shop Lollipops and Flowers by Louise.   

The Green Flag Award Winning Withy Grove Park is the largest green space in Bamber Bridge.

It includes one of the borough's flagship playgrounds and two distinct areas divided by groups of woodland.

The eastern side includes Bamber Bridge Leisure Centre and Sports Hub, sports pitches and the playground, and can be accessed from Brindle Road to the east. South Ribble Tennis and Fitness Centre is also located nearby.   

Great cycle routes in the area can also be found - see the routes here.

Cocker Bar is a small residential hamlet with an ancient orchard which has been producing native varieties of Lancashire pears, apples and damsons since 1730 - for more details take a look at Cocker Bar Orchard.  

The leafy village of Coupe Green has a small playground and park and families and couples alike will enjoy the decadent pub classics and sensational Sunday roasts at The Oak pub. 

If you have a budding singer or actor at home, Little Voices offers vocal and drama coaching, and music and movement classes for younger children at Baby Cherubs. 

Farington

Farington is a pretty village just north of Leyland.

The oasis of Farington Park offers plenty of fresh air, space to stretch your legs and a children's playground.

If you are looking for luxury, look no further than the Grade II listed Farington Lodge Hotel. The hotel's Garden Restaurant is open to non-residents for a-la-carte dining, afternoon tea and delicious Sunday roasts.   

Gregson Green and Higher Walton

Gregson Green's Community Hall provides an active calendar of community events and societies, along with Gregson Green Junior Football Team and Gregson Lane Cricket Team.

After watching a match or training session, warm up at Gregson Lane Chippy or The Café on the Green.  

Higher Walton also has its own active community centre which hosts events, seasonal celebrations and regular playgroups and yoga sessions.

Great places to eat and drink include Bar 47, Raees Indo-Chinese Buffet & Catering and The Swan Inn which also hosts live music and sport.

With lots of great cycle routes nearby, you may need the services of Higher Walton-based Wallis Cycles. 

Hutton

Hutton is a leafy village and home to Lancashire Police's headquarters. 

There are a number of walks that can be enjoyed from Hutton including the Hutton & Longton Coastal Walk, Hutton Ribble Way circular, and fantastic cycling routes in the area

Boost your energy levels with one of Lathams of Broughton's mouth-watering cakes, desserts and biscuits from their Hutton shop on Liverpool Road, or if you're craving fine aromatic flavours, make sure you book a table at the Royal Indian Restaurant in Hutton.  

Leyland

The historic town of Leyland is jam packed with great retail areas, green spaces and things to do for all the family.

Famous for its historic link with the automobile industry with Leyland Motors, the town is full to the brim with heritage with a thriving high street and historic market where shoppers can pick up local produce, homewares and clothes, quirky gifts, pet supplies and beautiful plants.

The British Commercial Vehicle Museum celebrates the region's rich transport heritage with a range of interactive displays and events, suitable for the whole family to enjoy, and a recently opened café.  

The Green Flag award winning Worden Park is in the heart of Leyland - the only park outside of London to win the Green Flag Award each year since the award's inception. It features more than 60 hectares of meadows, woodlands and playing fields. The park also includes a range of attractions in its historic grounds including a miniature railway, crazy golf, maze and artists' workshops. It is also home to brillaint annual events, Music in the Park and Leyland Festival.

Worden Hall  is a stunning historical building and wedding and events venue in the heart of Worden Park.

The Leyland Town Deal is a multi-million pound development programme currently being undertaken to transform Leyland Town Centre which includes a brand new refurbished market. 

Little Hoole

Little Hoole is a civil parish including the pretty village of Walmer Bridge. 

Championing locally grown produce, Woods Farmshop offers fresh fruit and vegetables, meats, homemade pastries and preserves.

Visitors can enjoy traditional ales, ciders and cask ales at The Walmer Bridge Inn, freshly cooked Mediterranean dishes at Ego at the Fox Cub, and scrumptious homemade cakes and desserts at The Village Teapot. Scones, coffee and cocktails are also available at The Hideaway Kitchen and Bar.  

Longton

Longton is a pretty village, four miles south of Preston. Former brickworks, Longton Brickcroft has been transformed into a delightful nature reserve with lakes, meadows and woodland. Awarded a Green Flag Award since 1998, there are few remaining areas of such diverse habitat in the North West.  

Residents also enjoy a fantastic variety of places to eat and drink. Enjoy fine dining at the historic Golden Ball of Longton, freshly made cakes and pastries at the Orchid Cafe and Bar, seasonally inspired Italian dishes at Romanos Restaurant, or a glass of wine at the Lemon Tree Longton.   

There's also a swimming pool and tennis club, and lace up your walking boots at The Dolphin Inn in Longton, to take on the long-distance walking trail, the Ribble Way. 

Lostock Hall

The suburban village of Lostock Hall lies between Penwortham and Walton-le-Dale and is home to South Ribble's iconic WWI memorial.

Located in St Catherine's Park, this leafy oasis is a great place to walk the dog, enjoy the children's playground and pick up delicious sustenance from The Mill at St Catherine's Hospice. All proceeds from The Mill, and The Mill Shop next door, help to fund the amazing work St Catherine's Hospice do for the local community across South Ribble.  

If you're looking for a pint and a bite to eat after walking through the park, head down to The Pleasant Retreat Inn, Lostock Ale or The Wishing Well.  

Longton is home to a brillaint selection of bars and restaurants and will play host to South Ribble Live on 12 and 13 July.

Mellor Brook, Midge Hall and Much Hoole

The leafy village of Mellor Brook sits on the border of South Ribble and the Ribble Valley.

Enjoy delicious hearty meals and freshly made, gourmet pizzas at The Feilden Arms, which has a lovely garden room and beer garden.

Mellor Brook Community Centre also holds regular clubs and events such as Little Voices, toddler groups, dance classes and pilates.  

Midge Hall is a small village on the outskirts of Leyland.

If you're feeling peckish, Midge Hall Pub provides wholesome, family friendly meals and a Sunday carvery. The pub has a charming, covered terrace and you can even pick up food for the birds nearby, at third-generation family run mill, Soar Mill Seeds.

If you're looking for high octane thrills, don a helmet and visor at Preston's premier Paintball Park!   

Much Hoole is a pretty village with independent gems such as Fleur Boutique, Tootsie's Ice Cream Shop, Italian restaurant, San Marco, and historic pub, Th'Owd Smithy Inn.

There is also a traditional garden centre where you can buy locally grown plants, Embleys Nurseries, and enjoy homecooked food and pastries whilst doing your shopping at The Arches Restaurant and Coffee Shop.  

Penwortham

Hurst Grange Park is one of South Ribble's three major parks and is located between Hill Road and Cop Lane. The site has retained a prestigious Green Flag Award every year since 2005 and the former estate of Hurst Grange Mansion is now an attractive landscape of specimen trees, ponds and wildflower meadows. Grab a barista coffee and delicious homemade cake at the park's newly refurbished and a dog friendly former coach house, Hurst Grange Café.     

Penwortham's former library has been transformed into a community led Arts Centre - The Venue - hosting gigs, events, craft sessions and open mic sessions for the benefit of local people.

There is also a farmers' market once a week and visitors are spoilt for choice with food and drinks at Lime Bar & Lounge, No 15 Café House, BonBons Coffee Bar, Fleece Inn, 1260 Craft & Crust and The Cow Shed.  

Penwortham Leisure Centre offers swimming lessons, a gym and fitness classes and younger residents can hone their performing arts skills at PQA Preston.

If golf is your thing, Penwortham Golf Club is situated right next to the River Ribble with stunning views down the fairway.  

South Ribble Borough Council are currently working on a masterplan for Penwortham which will see the main areas transformed.

Roach Bridge

A small hamlet close to the River Darwen with delightful walking trails and spectacular rural views including a three storey, historic paper mill and an industrial revolution weir.   

Samlesbury

The parish of Samlesbury packs a real punch for visitors.

Home to BAE Military Sytems and the magnificently preserved medieval stately home, Samlesbury Hall. Open all year round with café and gift shop, this historic hall regularly holds events including ghost tours, weddings and family-fun workshops. You can also stay on the medieval estate in a collection of luxury Shepherds' Huts and practice your swing at next door's Blue Bird Golf Centrewith crazy golf, a 23-bay floodlit driving range and on-site shop.   

Nestled under the M6 motorway is Brockholes Nature Reserve, a beautiful and peaceful 250-acre reserve run by the Lancashire Wildlife Trust. Family friendly, but not for dogs, the reserve has a stunning floating visitor centre with gift shop, café and plenty of walks and wildlife to see - a definite must see for mini eco-warriors and nature enthusiasts.  

Just down the road is the charming hamlet of Samlesbury and there is Challenging 5 mile walk, sometimes very muddy, from the former Nab Head pub which takes in the historic mill and industrial revolution weir.

Samlesbury Bottoms Weir is a beautiful spot with beautiful views of the surrounding Pennines, meandering River Darwen, open farmland and leafy woodland.   

And on the other side of the main road lies Huntleys, a farm shop offering fresh meat, fish, fruit and vegetables, and outlets for wine, preserves, gifts, antiques and clothing. There is also an award-winning restaurant, Huntley's Farmhouse Kitchen, Mellor Dog School, and self-catering accommodation with hot tub, The Beauty Shed. 

Walton-le-Dale

Walton-le-Dale is a  large village on the south side of Preston, and the River Ribble, offering lots of lovely walks and green spaces. Join the nearby Guild Wheel route, either on foot or bike, and enjoy stunning views of the surrounding countryside.   

The Capitol Centre retail park offers retail therapy with big brand shopping and nearby family favourites including Vue cinema, Go Karting, Wacky Warehouse soft play and Rascals Party and Play. Get crafty with pottery at Fired 4 U, climb the walls at Boulder UK, or for those green fingered visitors, explore the family run garden centre and café, Holland House Nursery. 

After a busy day shopping, enjoy cocktails at Taps and Wine Bar, a pint at The White Bull. There is also the riverside Yew Tree pub serving British classics, or The Contented Sole Fish and Chip Shop.  

Whitestake

A small village between Farington and New Longton.

The Turbary Woods Owl & Bird Sanctuary is a rescue and rehabilitation centre for over 90 birds of prey, with dramatic demonstrations, exhibits and the chance to meet these beautiful birds. Turbary is run by volunteers and every penny raised goes back to the shelter.  

Nearby there is also a driving range and Newgate Nurseries, which is family run and grow a wide range of flowers from seed.  

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