Country Houses of the Ribble Valley
Country Houses of the Ribble Valley
4 Days Starting and ending in Clitheroe, United Kingdom
Visiting: Chipping, Lancashire, Preston, Burnley
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
0 - 25
Trip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Discover the enchanting Country Houses of the Ribble Valley on this captivating tour. Stay at the award-winning Gibbon Bridge Hotel, nestled in the serene Ribble Valley, and enjoy three nights of comfort with breakfast and exquisite dinners. Begin your journey with a welcome reception and insightful talk by Nicholas Merchant. Explore the historic Stonyhurst College, Hoghton Tower, and Great Mitton Church, each offering a glimpse into the region's rich heritage. Visit the Harris Art Gallery and marvel at Astley Hall's stunning architecture. Uncover the hidden walled garden at Gawthorpe Hall and delve into the art and history of Towneley Hall. With guided tours, talks, and a coach touring itinerary, this tour promises an unforgettable experience of the Ribble Valley's cultural treasures.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Independently At The Gibbon Bridge Hotel From 15.00.
Location: Chipping
Accommodation Name: Gibbon Bridge Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner
This evening there will be a welcome reception, dinner with wine and introductory talk from Nicholas Merchant.
Day 2: Stonyhurst College, Hoghton Tower And Great Mitton Church
Location: Lancashire
Accommodation Name: Gibbon Bridge Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Donated to the Jesuits in 1794 when they were expelled from Liège,Stonyhurst college is a breath-taking Elizabethan mansion with a rich history dating back to 1200 AD. As well as the architecture and expansive grounds, we explore the college’s historic collections, featuring rare books, manuscripts, and artifacts that reflect its rich Jesuit heritage. After time for lunch (own expense) we travel to the Hoghton Tower found on a strategic hilltop location with beautiful views of the surrounding countryside. The Tower dates back to 1109, with the current structure built in the early 16th century by Thomas Hoghton. We have a free flow visit of this fortified manor house, then continue on to Great Mitton Church. Dating back to the late 13th century, this grade I listed building features gothic architecture, medieval woodwork, and a sundial from 1683. Return to the hotel for dinner.
Day 3: Harris Art Gallery And Astley Hall
Location: Preston
Accommodation Name: Gibbon Bridge Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
The Harris Art Gallery towers over the centre of Preston as a memorial to Victorian philanthropy. The donation of a local lawyer, its architecture is so dramatic as to suggest it has escaped from the Unter den Linden in Berlin. Its contents are no-less proud, including copies of the "Gates of Paradise" designed by Ghiberti for the Duomo in Florence. Paintings are represented by the local "lad" Arthur Devis, renowned for his portraits of local gentry and his resemblance to "Bonny Prince Charlie". Aside from him there are the British Paintings of the 19th century, a bequest by a founder of the museum as well as 20th century paintings including a beautiful portrait of James Gunn's wife in a striking yellow dress. We enjoy a free-flow visit then after free time for lunch (own expense), we travel to Astley Hall in Chorley, a stunning 17th century country house with exquisite plasterwork ceilings, an impressive long gallery, and an array of period furniture and paintings. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 4: Gawthorpe Hall And Towneley Hall
Location: Burnley
Accommodation Name: Gibbon Bridge Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our final day of touring starts at the Elizabethan country house of Gawthorpe Hall which is managed by the National Trust. Built in the early 17th century by the Shuttleworth family, the hall was extensively rebuilt in the mid-19th century by Sir Charles Barry, the architect of the Houses of Parliament. We view the impressive collection of portraits and textiles, and have time to explore the beautiful gardens. This afternoon we stop in Burnley to visit Towneley Hall, a historic house with fine period rooms decorated with paintings and sculptures. As well as an art gallery and museum, the hall also features secret passages, and a Priest's Hole.Towneley was the home of the Charles Towneley the great 18th century collector of ancient sculpture. Although his collection is now in the British Museum, his portrait with his collection by Johann Zoffany hangs in the house. The Roman Catholic Towneleys stayed loyal to the "Old Religion" as did many of Lancashire's gentry, which explains their long tenure of the estate, only relinquished in 1902. Amongst the features of the much-remodelled house are plaster ceilings by Italian craftsmen, and a 15th century Roman Catholic chapel which was the only remaining Catholic chapel in this part of Lancashire until the 19th century. Here is the Towneley altarpiece carved in Antwerp around 1500 and also the vestments sent from Whalley Abbey in 1536 at the Reformation. They are of the utmost rarity. Taken on by the local council, the house has had its collections assiduously augmented by purchase from local art dealers Agnews and Richard Howarth, watercolours by Girtin and Gainsbourgh, oils by Landseer and Alma Tadema. Furniture is not lacking with 17th century oak and walnut pieces, alongside furniture by Morel and Seddon, who were much patronised by George IV. Somewhat surprisingly there is also a sculpture of Venus by Antonio Canova, a small echo of the sculpture, albeit ancient, which used to fill this house.Return to the hotel for approximately 17.30.
What's Included
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Three nights’ bed and breakfast at the four-star Gibbon Bridge Hotel, Clitheroe
Enjoy a comfortable stay at the Gibbon Bridge Hotel with shared occupancy of a twin/double room.
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Welcome reception and three-course dinner with wine
Participate in a welcome reception and enjoy a three-course dinner with wine.
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Second and third dinners in the hotel restaurant
Dine at the hotel restaurant on the second and third nights.
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All talks, guided tours and admissions
Benefit from all talks, guided tours, and admissions included in the tour.
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Coach touring itinerary
Travel comfortably with a coach touring itinerary.
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Nicholas Merchant and tour manager throughout
Enjoy the expertise of Nicholas Merchant and a tour manager throughout the trip.
What's Not Included
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Transport to the hotel is not included
You will need to arrange your own transport to the hotel.
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Holiday insurance
Holiday insurance is not provided and should be arranged separately.
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Double for sole use supplement - £129
A supplement of £129 applies for double rooms used for sole occupancy.
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Extra nights on a bed and breakfast basis
Extra nights at the hotel are not included and can be arranged separately.
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Meals other than those stated
Meals not specified in the inclusions are not included.
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Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls etc
Personal expenses such as drinks, laundry, and telephone calls are not included.
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Porterage and gratuities
Porterage and gratuities are not included in the tour package.
Mode of Transport
Transport to the hotel is not included, but the tour features a coach touring itinerary for visiting various historic sites and attractions in the Ribble Valley.
Accommodation
Gibbon Bridge Hotel, Clitheroe is an award-winning four-star country hotel with beautiful gardens set in a peaceful location in the Ribble Valley. The hotel offers a restaurant, bar, spa, gardens, and comfortable bedrooms with modern amenities including en-suite bathroom, TV, telephone, free wifi, hairdryer, and tea/coffee making facilities. Parking is complimentary.
MORE INFO
Nicholas Merchant
Nicholas has been a lecturer and group leader for tours in the UK and France for Travel Editions for close to 15 years.Prior to Travel Editions, he ran his own book business, worked for Sotheby’s and was the West Yorkshire representative for the National Art Fund. His knowledge, wit and erudition illuminate any visit and his toursare informative, interesting and, above all, entertaining.Please note that all our UK tours start and finish at the relevant hotel. You can normally check in from 3pm onwards but hotels will always be happy to store your luggage if you arrive earlier in the day.
For full details of how to get to the hotel, directions and the nearest train station, please click on the hotel website or call our office for details. These will also be sent automatically with your confirmation.
The welcome reception and first evening dinner / talk will commence at about 6pm - full details will be sent with your joining instructions about 10 days prior to the arrival date.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour includes three nights' bed and breakfast at the four-star Gibbon Bridge Hotel in Clitheroe, which features a restaurant, bar, spa, gardens, and comfortable bedrooms with modern amenities.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Yes, the tour package includes a welcome reception and three-course dinner with wine on the first night, as well as dinners on the second and third nights in the hotel restaurant.
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Who will be leading the tour?
The tour will be led by Nicholas Merchant, who is a lecturer and group leader with extensive experience in leading tours in the UK and France.
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What is the focus of the tour at Stonyhurst College?
The tour at Stonyhurst College focuses on exploring its historic collections, including rare books, manuscripts, and artifacts that reflect its rich Jesuit heritage, as well as its Elizabethan architecture and expansive grounds.
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What can I expect to see at Towneley Hall?
At Towneley Hall, you can expect to see fine period rooms decorated with paintings and sculptures, secret passages, a Priest's Hole, and a collection of art and furniture, including works by Girtin, Gainsborough, Landseer, and Alma Tadema.
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Is transportation to the hotel included in the tour package?
No, transportation to the hotel is not included in the tour package.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Final joining instructions and documentation will be despatched approximately 10 days before travel.
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Do I need any Visas or Vaccinations for my holidays?
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change. Please check with your local doctor/GP about the current Vaccination requirements of the country you are visiting. For Visa enquiries, please contact the Embassy of the country you are visiting.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Generally, single and double rooms carry the same price, which means that single supplements for certain itineraries can seem high. We would be pleased to arrange for clients travelling alone to share with another client, however this is subject to somebody in the same situation booking on the tour. If you would be interested in this option, please let us know at the time of enquiry/booking.
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Where does the tour manager meet us?
In most cases the tour manager will travel out with the tour group from the UK. However, this is not always the case and the tour manager may meet you at the destination station / airport. The exact details specific to your tour will be given to you in your final documentation, 10 days prior to departure.
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Sunday - Wednesday
Aug 17, 2025 - Aug 20, 2025Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
CTS demo white label allows you to make 20 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 0 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
CTS demo white label requires a minimum deposit of 55% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.
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