Ready for a gentle wander around Whalley? Here are a few photos from Sunday mornings stroll around this attractive Ribble Valley village, a couple of miles from my hometown of Clitheroe.
We parked near the impressive 48 arches of the red and blue bricked viaduct that spans the river Calder. Whalley Viaduct is the longest railway bridge in Lancashire and if you travel from Blackburn to Clitheroe by train, you will cross this impressive structure.
Nearby is the fourteenth century Whalley Abbey Gatehouse which belonged to the Cistercian abbey in the village. I can almost imagine the monks passing through the archway.
If you look closely in the trees around Whalley you may be surprised to see some life-like bird sculptures. Delighting those who spy them amongst the greenery, the wrens are lovingly handcrafted by a lady in the village. Most are sweet little wrens , but you never know who could be watching you from above.
A spot of quiet contemplation ? The peaceful garden of the English Church Of Martyrs nextdoor to Whalley Abbey is dotted with benches, full of flowers and there are several religious statues.
We head to the River Calder via the pretty stone terraces on Calder Vale.
Whalley Weir is a man made weir on the river and is said to be the reason why the monks of Whalley chose this spot for their abbey. It’s a tranquil place to watch the ducks. 🦆
Back in the village and here is the Old Grammar School, now used as a pre school and for adult education. The War memorial is a focal point.
Whalley has many independent shops and cafes, no shortage of places to stop for a brew. We headed over to Cafe Autisan at Whalley Abbey. They do a wonderful rocky road, demolished before I remembered that I should of taken a photograph. 🤣
Hope you enjoyed my bumble around a popular Ribble Valley village. 💖
sunshine and celandines 
This looks like a lovely walk, I like the Church of Martyrs and the Tudor cottages 🙂 I’m currently walking round Caldbeck village – not physically, just writing a blog post about it 🙂 🙂
Caldbeck is a lovely village. 🙂 X
Love that gate house!!! Something about the stone ribbing and vaults gets me every time 💕💕💕
It’s a beauty! X
What a lovely walk. I love the idea of the birds 😃
Me too. There’s quite a few hidden apparently. 🙂
Absolutely gorgeous. I love the wee birds sculptures.
They are very sweet. 🙂
What a great walk, your photos are lovely. I love the railway viaduct and the old abbey arches, also the hand crafted birds in the trees:)
Thank you Rosie. X
Looks beautiful!
It was, thank you. X
A lovely walk. Happy days! 🙋♂️
Indeed. X
I’m enjoying everyone’s lovely walks & strolls through sunny calming countryside. Such miserable, cold & wet weather here along with another snap lockdown starting today which is #5. Thanks, take care & hugs.
Oh my goodness, sorry to hear that Susan. To be honest I think our government are just not as strict as yours. Restrictions here are probably being taken away to early, but our economy needs things to reopen. It’s a difficult one. X
I’ve wizzed past Whalley on the A59 countless times over the years and only once ever diverted off the route to take a look at the Abbey – and that was some years ago. I never did look round the village, though so it was interesting to look at your mini- tour.
Thank you, it’s worth a stop I think. 🙂
Thank you for the lovely comments re the wrens , more will appear soon , well soonish 😉
Your welcome, that’s good news. 🙂