LOVE LONGRIDGE

Longridge is a small market town in the Ribble Valley that enjoys a rich history and a thriving community spirit

Often called the gateway to the Ribble Valley, Longridge has a rich history steeped in traditional industries such as cotton and stone quarrying.

For a relatively small town it boasts more than 10 pubs and a variety of great places to eat and drink with cafes and coffee shops and a selection of restaurants to suit all tastes… and possibly one of the best chip shops in the area! The town also has two supermarkets and countless individual independent shops to pass a very enjoyable afternoon strolling down the main street of Berry Lane – and there is plenty of free parking, which is always a pleasant surprise.

The thriving independent shops include great traditional butchers, a myriad of gift and craft shops, a traditional hardware emporium and lots of hidden gems selling anything from antiques to locally grown fruit and veg. Art and a variety of fashion boutiques complete the experience.

A top tip is to take time out to take in a movie at The Palace cinema www.thepalace-longridge.co.uk which takes you back to a charming bygone era with love seats and mugs of hot drinks, which all kicks off standing for the National Anthem. There aren’t too many places which can combine this wonderful sense of tradition with the most up to date movie releases!

Longridge is also a great place to explore the stunning surrounding countryside being located at the foot of Longridge Fell and on the edge of the Forest of Bowland and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

To the west and just 20 minutes’ drive is the city of Preston and beyond it the Fylde coast. Come and enjoy everything that Longridge has to offer including the town’s rich industrial history.

In the 1800s and early 1900s Berry Lane still had gas lights and an operating railway station.

Going back further, Tootal Height Quarry was significant for the town, which relied on stone and coal as its major industries.

Before the railway, stone would be transported by horsepower, but steam trains transformed this and open wagons provided haulage.

Today Longridge continues to thrive albeit from different industries and services and Berry Lane and the surrounding area remain at the hub of a busy and vibrant community.

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Tedd Walmsley

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