We had ‘ Stay Home’ plans on Saturday and as it was actually sunny and dry ( Of course there had to be gusty winds too, courtesy of Storm Kathleen! ) we took Hugo up The Castle Keep, which has recently been undergoing ongoing repairs, and is now back open again.
Clitheroe Castle 🏰 is often described as ‘ England’s Second Smallest Castle Keep’ though to be honest, however much I look online, I cannot find any information regarding the actual smallest. Let’s just say, Clitheroe has a tiny Castle!The 12th Century Norman Keep stands on a limestone outcrop and has commanding views over the historic market town of Clitheroe and towards Pendle Hill. It is surrounded by 16 acres of parkland ,which include a bandstand, cafe, labyrinth, children’s playground, skate park and war memorial.
We next took shelter in the Stewards Gallery situated next to the museum buildings. At the moment the gallery is hosting a photography exhibition called Diamonds In The Landscape, which celebrates 60 years of The Forest Of Bowland as an AONB. The free exhibition continues until the end of April and dogs are welcome inside.
Continuing our town tourism adventure, we decided to go for a drink at Holmes Mill which contains one of the largest bars in Britain ~ Bowland Beer Hall.
Because we live close enough to Bowland Beer Hall for the beer to be pumped across to our living room ( well, in theory! ) we very rarely pop over, just the two of us, preferring to save our trips for when we are with visiting friends and family. 😋 The Holmes Mill complex has lots going on including an Everyman Cinema, Duck Pin Bowling Alley, Hotel, Bistro and Food Hall.
It was still very blustery outside and when one of the table umbrellas decided to launch itself into the sky, we quickly moved indoors. We then ended up enjoying more drinks whilst sitting in a cosy nook by the bar. So that was us being tourists in our own town. It became quite the Saturday Session! 😁 I even bumped into a fellow blogger, Sophie who blogs at So Beau . She was with her lovely family in the mill and was very gracious, despite being spotted by a slightly tipsy reader. 😙😃
Thanks for bobbing by.
sunshine and celandines 
That bar looks great!
It’s certainly Huge!
I hope you had a Mary Poppins umbrella to help you drift down from the clouds😀 The second photo of Hugo is lovely but the shot of the pint of cider looks like you’d already had a few! 🤣
I did have a brolly with me actually, but it was proper wild. I must admit I did end up having a few ciders. 😃
I love the castle, wonderful daffodils and those staggering views from the top – could these be some of the best views in Lancashire? Thanks for sharing, and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx
Thanks Aiva, the views of the Castle are great especially those of Pendle Hill. X
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Sometimes we neglect what’s on our doorstep, I live in Chester and don’t think I’ve ever been on any of the tourist tours or buses, need to hop on one in the summer!
Absolutely! It’s crazy what’s right under our noses.
Still haven’t made it to Holmes Mill.
It’s certainly a popular venue though much quieter in the week. The engine room is very impressive.
Smallest keep and largest beer hall…! I’ve never been but it looks an attractive place to live.
It has it’s good parts and not so good parts. I’m lucky that I live very close to both the castle and Holmes Mill.
The largest bar, definitely worth a visit over a few days & various refreshments! Great post, Sharon & great that you got a shot of Pendle in as well. One day…I would love to walk there to pay homage to the ancestors (but the ferry prices are just off the scales)! 🤗😊
Pendle is a lovely area to visit. Oneday hey!
It is nice sometimes to stay local and visit own town. The bar looks amazing I need to bring Matt there.
I can vouch for the bar! We went there mid week so it was quiet but still a few people there eating. I bet it’s heaving at the weekends.
Its very popular with out of town visitors for sure, definitely puts Clitheroe on the map.
There’s no place like home 😉
I’ve always like Clitheroe. I don’t get over there enough. I’ve like the castle ever since I was a kid
We are very lucky to have the castle and grounds to walk in.
Amazing pictures!
Thank you!
Sometimes it is wonderful to enjoy the area around where you live, and have a relaxing day. It looks beautiful there, and that is awesome that you saw a fellow blogger too!
Thanks Allie, yes it was definitely a nice surprise recognising another blogger.
Have done this once I think in Plymouth, well had to really as its part of the south west coastal path, most of it is along the seafront which is always nice to see and share. The photos in the gallery of the stepping stones, where is that? I assume they are underwater currently due to the rain!
I reckon they will be, it’s rained that much! They are near the hamlet of White
well, along the River there.
Amazing! I still can’t believe we met! It really just goes to show how small the world really is haha that’s cool that you can take dogs in for the exhibition I didn’t realise! We need to return and do the Pendle walks too and stop just heading to that brewery haha keep blogging as you always give me inspo! 😁
I will try! Haha. The brewery is very tempting, I don’t blame you. 😊 Hope you enjoy your explorations of the Ribble Valley, it’s a great place. X 😁
You had a lovely day! Definitely it’s worth exploring our own backyards.
Absolutely true. 😊
I’m glad you didn’t get blown away.
I never realised Clitheroe has a castle. For some reason, I’ve never been. I really need to visit one day. X
It’s such a tiny Castle! X
I’ve never been, but what a lovely place!
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It’s cool that you can visit your town’s castle. The one in Chester is open to public once or twice a year. What’s the point?
Ahh that is strange. Our castle has been closed for some stone masonry repairs but is usually open all the time.