View source for Clitheroe

{{short description|Town in Lancashire, England}}
{{other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox UK place
| country                  = England
| type                     = Town
| coordinates              = {{coord|53.8711|-2.3916|display=inline,title}}
| population               = 17,141
| population_ref           = (2021 Census)<ref name="bua2011">{{cite web |title=Clitheroe |url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/uk/northwestengland/admin/ribble_valley/E04005253__clitheroe/ |website=City population |access-date=25 October 2022}}</ref>
| official_name            = Clitheroe
| civil_parish             = Clitheroe
| shire_district           = [[Ribble Valley]]
| shire_county             = [[Lancashire]]
| region                   = North West England
| constituency_westminster = [[Pendle and Clitheroe (UK Parliament constituency)|Pendle and Clitheroe]]
| post_town                = CLITHEROE
| postcode_district        = BB7
| postcode_area            = BB
| dial_code                = 01200
| os_grid_reference        = SD742417
| static_image_name        = {{multiple image
| border                   = infobox
| total_width              = 250
| image_style              = border:1;
| perrow                   = 2/1/2
| image1                   = St Mary's church, Clitheroe - geograph.org.uk - 2435161.jpg
| caption1                 = [[St Mary Magdalene's Church, Clitheroe|St Mary’s Church]]
| image2                   = Holmes Mill - geograph.org.uk - 1564927.jpg
| caption2                     = [[List of mills in Clitheroe|Holmes Mill]]
| image3                   = Clitheroe townscape - geograph.org.uk - 2834026.jpg
| caption3                     = View of Clitheroe 
| image4                   = Clitheroe Library Church Street 8783.JPG
| caption4                 = [[Old Town Hall, Clitheroe|Old Town Hall]]
| image5                   = Clitheroe Castle, keep and play area - geograph.org.uk - 5943197.jpg
| caption5                 = [[Clitheroe Castle]]
}}
| static_image_caption     = 
| pushpin_map              = United Kingdom Borough of Ribble Valley
| pushpin_map_caption      = Shown within Ribble Valley
}}
'''Clitheroe''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|l|ɪ|ð|ə|r|oʊ}}) is a town and [[civil parishes in England|civil parish]] in the [[Ribble Valley|Borough of Ribble Valley]], [[Lancashire]], England; it is located {{convert|34|mi}} north-west of [[Manchester]]. It is near the [[Forest of Bowland]] and is often used as a base for tourists visiting the area. In 2018, the Clitheroe built-up area had an estimated population of 16,279.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.citypopulation.de/php/uk-england-northwestengland.php?cityid=E34001416|title=Clitheroe (Lancashire, North West England, United Kingdom) - Population Statistics and Location in Maps and Charts|work=citypopulation.de|access-date=5 February 2018}}</ref>

The town was listed in the 2017 ''[[The Sunday Times]]'' report on the best places to live in Northern England,<ref>{{cite news |title=Clitheroe, Lancashire |work=[[The Times]] |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/article/clitheroe-best-places-to-live-2017-rfvxsjwxh |access-date=28 September 2023}}</ref> while the wider [[Ribble Valley]], of which Clitheroe is the most populous settlement, was listed in the 2018 and 2024 ''Sunday Times'' report on the best places to live.<ref>{{cite news |title= Ribble Valley, Lancashire — best places to live in the UK 2018 |work = [[The Times]] |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/ribble-valley-lancashire-best-places-to-live-c8z8jkj8l |access-date=29 September 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= Why Ribble Valley is best place to live in Lancashire
 |work = [[Lancashire Telegraph]] |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/24188032.ribble-valley-best-place-live-lancashire/ |access-date=12 June 2024}}</ref> Clitheroe and the wider Ribble Valley have also been listed as healthiest and happiest place to live in the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite news |title= Ribble Valley has the highest Health Index score across England |work = [[Office for National Statistics|ONS]] |url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/visualisations/dvc1648/robojournalism/index.html |access-date=12 June 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= The happiest place to live in the UK has been revealed – and it's obviously not London |work = [[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]] |url=https://metro.co.uk/2024/03/05/northern-gem-unspoiled-countryside-named-happiest-place-uk-20401771/ |access-date=12 June 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= Healthy Living in Ribble Valley |work = [[Ribble Valley|Ribble Valley Council]] |url=https://www.ribblevalley.gov.uk/news/article/203/healthy-living-in-ribble-valley |access-date=12 June 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= Muddy Stilettos names Clitheroe among best places to live |work = [[Lancashire Telegraph]] |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/24669561.muddy-stilettos-names-clitheroe-among-best-places-live/ |access-date=17 December 2024}}</ref>

The town's most notable building is [[Clitheroe Castle]], which is one of the smallest [[Norman architecture|Norman]] [[keep]]s in Great Britain.<ref>{{NHLE|num=1016196|desc=Clitheroe Castle; medieval enclosure castle, Clitheroe|accessdate=30 October 2020}}</ref> Several manufacturing companies have sites here, including Dugdale Nutrition, [[Hanson Cement]], [[Johnson Matthey]] and [[Tarmac (company)|Tarmac]].
{{TOC limit|2}}

== History ==
[[File:Clitheroe, Old Town Hall, Church Street.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.75|[[Old Town Hall, Clitheroe|The Old Town Hall in Clitheroe]]]]
The name ''Clitheroe'' is thought to come from the Anglo-Saxon for "Rocky Hill",<ref name="council-hist">{{cite web|url=http://www.clitheroetowncouncil.gov.uk/Pages/History.htm|title=Town Council History|work=Clitheroe Town Council|access-date=14 November 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090426184927/http://www.clitheroetowncouncil.gov.uk/Pages/History.htm|archive-date=26 April 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> and was also spelled ''Clyderhow'' and ''Cletherwoode'',<ref name="britannica">{{cite EB1911 |wstitle=Clitheroe |volume=6 |page=531}}</ref> amongst others. The town was the administrative centre for the lands of the [[Honour of Clitheroe]]. The [[Battle of Clitheroe]] was fought in 1138 during [[the Anarchy]]. These lands were held by [[Roger the Poitevin]], who passed them to the [[de Lacy]] family, from whom they passed by marriage in 1310 or 1311 to [[Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster|Thomas, Earl of Lancaster]].<ref name=britannica /> It subsequently became part of the [[Duchy of Lancaster]] until [[Charles II of England|Charles II]] at the Restoration bestowed it, on [[George Monck, 1st Duke of Albemarle]], from whose family it descended through the [[house of Montagu]]e to that of Buccleuch.<ref name=britannica />

At one point, the town of Clitheroe was given to Richard, [[Richard III of England|1st Duke of Gloucester]]. Up until 1835, the Lord of the Honor was also by right [[Lordship of Bowland|Lord of Bowland]], the so-called [[Lord of the Fells]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.forestofbowland.com/node/1864|title=The Lordship of Bowland|work=forestofbowland.com}}</ref> The town's earliest existing charter is from 1283, granted by [[Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln]], confirming rights granted by one of his forebears between 1147 and 1177.<ref name=council-hist />

According to local legend, stepping stones across the [[River Ribble]] near the town are the abode of an evil spirit, who drowns one traveller every seven years.<ref>{{cite book |last=Ash |first=Russell |date=1973 |title=Folklore, Myths and Legends of Britain |publisher=Reader's Digest Association Limited |page=362 |isbn=9780340165973 }}</ref>

=== Jet engine development ===
During [[World War II]], the [[jet engine]] was developed by the [[Rover Company]].<ref>David S Brooks (1997). Vikings at Waterloo: Wartime Work on the Whittle Jet Engine by the [[Rover Company]]. Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust. {{ISBN|1-872922-08-2}}]</ref> Rover and [[Rolls-Royce Limited|Rolls-Royce]] met engineers from the different companies at Clitheroe's [[Swan Court Shopping Arcade|Swan & Royal Hotel]]. The residential area 'Whittle Close' in the town is named after [[Frank Whittle]], being built over the site of the former jet engine test beds.

=== Ancient monuments ===
The town has three Scheduled Ancient Monuments, Bellmanpark Lime kiln and embankment,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/results/|title=The List Search Results for Bellmanpark &#124; Historic England|website=historicengland.org.uk|accessdate=30 October 2020}}</ref> [[Edisford Bridge]]<ref>{{NHLE|num=1005118|desc=Eadsford (or Edisford) Bridge, Clitheroe|accessdate=30 October 2020}}</ref> and [[Clitheroe Castle]].<ref>{{NHLE|num=1016196|desc=Clitheroe Castle; medieval enclosure castle, Clitheroe|accessdate=30 October 2020}}</ref>

== Governance and representation ==
[[File:James Thomson.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.75|Mayor James Thomson (from [[Clitheroe Castle Museum]])]]
The town elected two members to the [[Unreformed House of Commons]]. The [[Reform Act 1832|Great Reform Act]] reduced this to one. The [[parliamentary borough]] was abolished under the [[Redistribution of Seats Act 1885]].

It was one of the boroughs reformed by the [[Municipal Corporations Act 1835]], and remained a [[municipal borough]], based at [[Old Town Hall, Clitheroe|Clitheroe Town Hall]], until the [[Local Government Act 1972]] came into force in 1974, when it became a [[successor parish]] within the [[Ribble Valley]] district.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.clitheroetowncouncil.gov.uk/index.php/town-council-history  |title=Town Council History|publisher=Clitheroe Town Council| access-date=4 August 2021}}</ref>

Since 1991, the town of Clitheroe has elected at least 8 out of the 10 Liberal Democrat borough councillors on [[Ribble Valley Borough Council]], while Clitheroe Town Council has been Liberal Democrat-controlled for that period too. Likewise, since 1993, the town has elected a Liberal Democrat County Councillor to [[Lancashire]] County Council.

[[Clitheroe (UK Parliament constituency)|Clitheroe]] was one of earliest seats to elect a Labour MP, when [[David Shackleton]] won the [[1902 Clitheroe by-election]] for the [[Labour Representation Committee (1900)|Labour Representation Committee]]. He was the first Labour MP to win a by-election, and the third ever elected. He was returned unopposed, but easily won the subsequent [[1906 United Kingdom general election|1906 general election]], at which he was challenged by an [[Independent Conservative]]. Shackleton was General Secretary of the Textile Factory Workers Association, and at the time, there were a large number of [[Millworker|mill workers]] living locally. Labour lost the seat at the [[1922 United Kingdom general election|1922 election]], and did not regain it until their [[1945 United Kingdom general election|1945 landslide victory]]. The Conservatives won the seat back at the next general election, in [[1950 United Kingdom general election|1950]], and held it from then until [[1983 United Kingdom general election|1983]], when the constituency was abolished due to boundary changes. From 1885 to 1983, when the seat existed, the boundaries covered areas outside Clitheroe itself, including parts of [[Burnley, Lancashire|Burnley]] and [[Colne, Lancashire|Colne]].

As part of the [[Ribble Valley (UK Parliament constituency)|Ribble Valley]] constituency, Clitheroe has been represented by a [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] Member of Parliament for many years, with the exception of [[Michael Carr (Liberal Democrat politician)|Michael Carr]], who won a [[1991 Ribble Valley by-election|by-election in 1991]] for the [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]], but who lost the seat at the [[1992 United Kingdom general election|general election]] a year later.

The incumbent MP is [[Jonathan Hinder]], a [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] MP first elected in 2024. Hinder is the first Labour candidate to have won in the Clitheroe area since the [[1945 United Kingdom general election|1945 general election]].
{{clear left}}

== Climate ==
{{Weather box
| location       = Stonyhurst (115 metres asl) 1991–2020
| collapsed      =
| metric first   = y
| single line    = y
| Jan high C     = 6.7
| Feb high C     = 7.3
| Mar high C     = 9.4
| Apr high C     = 12.3
| May high C     = 15.4
| Jun high C     = 18.0
| Jul high C     = 19.6
| Aug high C     = 19.2
| Sep high C     = 16.9
| Oct high C     = 13.3
| Nov high C     = 9.7
| Dec high C     = 7.2
| year high C    = 
| Jan low C      = 1.9
| Feb low C      = 1.8
| Mar low C      = 3.0
| Apr low C      = 4.7
| May low C      = 7.3
| Jun low C      = 10.0
| Jul low C      = 12.0
| Aug low C      = 11.9
| Sep low C      = 9.9
| Oct low C      = 7.2
| Nov low C      = 4.3
| Dec low C      = 2.1
| year low C     = 
| Jan rain mm    = 119.0
| Feb rain mm    = 108.5
| Mar rain mm    = 92.4
| Apr rain mm    = 65.4
| May rain mm    = 74.5
| Jun rain mm    = 90.2
| Jul rain mm    = 103.0
| Aug rain mm    = 113.6
| Sep rain mm    = 118.3
| Oct rain mm    = 135.2
| Nov rain mm    = 135.0
| Dec rain mm    = 159.4
| year rain mm   = 
| Jan rain days  = 17.0
| Feb rain days  = 13.9
| Mar rain days  = 13.8
| Apr rain days  = 11.8
| May rain days  = 11.8
| Jun rain days  = 12.6
| Jul rain days  = 13.8
| Aug rain days  = 15.1
| Sep rain days  = 14.3
| Oct rain days  = 16.0
| Nov rain days  = 17.7
| Dec rain days  = 17.6
| year rain days = 
| Jan sun        = 47.6
| Feb sun        = 70.4
| Mar sun        = 104.9
| Apr sun        = 161.2
| May sun        = 183.8
| Jun sun        = 173.1
| Jul sun        = 154.7
| Aug sun        = 165.1
| Sep sun        = 119.2
| Oct sun        = 95.2
| Nov sun        = 63.1
| Dec sun        = 40.3
| year sun       = 
| source 1       = metoffice.gov.uk<ref>{{cite web
  | url=https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/maps-and-data/uk-climate-averages/gcw4rg5df
  | title=Climate Normals 1991–2020
  | publisher=Met Office
  | access-date=9 August 2025}}</ref>
  | date=9 August 2025
}}

== Economy ==
[[File:Clitheroe Main Street.JPG|thumb|upright=0.75|Clitheroe's main shopping street]]
[[File:Clitheroe Church.JPG|thumb|upright=0.75|United Reformed Church in the Town Centre]]
=== Industry ===
[[Imperial Chemical Industries|ICI]] founded a chemical plant in 1941, which was sold for a reported £260&nbsp;million in September 2002, to [[Johnson Matthey]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.burnleyexpress.net/news/buyer-is-found-for-ici-works-1-1673674 |title=Buyer is found for ICI works |date=26 September 2002 |work=Burnley Express |publisher=Johnston Publishing |access-date= 19 September 2015}}</ref> [[Sunroom|Conservatory]] manufacturer [[Ultraframe]] was started in Clitheroe, by John Lancaster in 1983. In March 1997, it floated on the stock exchange, being valued at £345&nbsp;million in 2003. In June 2006, however, a downturn led to a takeover by Brian Kennedy's Latium Holdings.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/782036.Ultraframe_accept___58m_takeover/ |title=Ultraframe accept £58m takeover |author=Ben Hewes |date=3 June 2006 |work=Lancashire Telegraph |publisher=Newquest |access-date=19 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/2940255/Kennedy-snaps-up-troubled-Ultraframe.html |title= Kennedy snaps up troubled Ultraframe |author=Stephen Seawright |date=3 June 2006 |publisher=The Telegraph |access-date=19 September 2015}}</ref>

[[Hanson Cement]] has been criticised for using [[industrial waste]] in its kilns. The company claims that its filters remove these and that government inspectors have approved the plant.

Another local firm, the family-owned [[animal feed]] producer Dugdale Nutrition can trace its history back to John Dugdale who was trading at [[Waddington, Lancashire|Waddington]] Post Office in 1850.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.clitheroeadvertiser.co.uk/news/red-letter-lady-in-dugdales-long-history-1-1691143 |title=Red letter lady in Dugdales' long history |date=19 June 2009 |work=The Clitheroe Advertiser & Times |publisher=Johnston Publishing |access-date= 19 September 2015}}</ref>

=== Retail ===
Historically, Dawsons green grocers was a significant player in the town retail fabric, circa late sixties and early seventies. Batemans Boys Wear fulfilled a retail need from approx 1968–1980.

There are numerous banks and building societies, including [[Skipton Building Society]] & [[HSBC]]. Clitheroe has three jewellers, with ''Nettletons Jewellers'' being on the high street. 

In May 2007, planning permission was granted for a [[Homebase]], although the store didn't open until April 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/1414390.DIY_store_plan_approved/|title=DIY store plan approved|access-date=11 March 2016|date=21 May 2007}}</ref> In April 2015, work officially started on a new development, consisting of [[Aldi]] and Pets at Home.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/12880183.Jobs_in_store_as___5m_development_begins_in_Clitheroe/|title=Jobs in store as £5m development begins in Clitheroe|access-date=11 March 2016|date=9 April 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/4278871.Clitheroe_Homebase_opens_on_time_despite_terror_swoop/|title=Clitheroe Homebase opens on time despite terror swoop|access-date=11 March 2016|date=9 April 2009}}</ref> In October 2015, Aldi officially opened, with Pets at Home and [[Vets4pets]] following shortly afterwards.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.clitheroeadvertiser.co.uk/news/business/local-business/hundreds-descend-on-opening-of-clitheroe-s-new-aldi-store-1-7541504|title=Hundreds descend on opening of Clitheroe's new Aldi store|access-date=11 March 2016|date=29 October 2015}}</ref>
In 2025 the Range opened in the former Homebase building.

Clitheroe has five supermarkets: [[Booths]], [[Tesco]], [[Sainsbury's]] (including an [[Argos (retailer)|Argos]]), [[Lidl]], and Aldi. There is a [[shopping centre]] known as the ''[[Swan Court Shopping Arcade|Swan Courtyard]].'' In May 2007, when [[Kwik Save]] entered administration, its store on Station Road closed. In September 2008, Booths bought the site, and expanded their store, where it currently houses charity shop ''YMCA''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/3670348.Ciltheroe_supermarket_set_to_expand/|title=Ciltheroe supermarket set to expand|access-date=11 March 2016|date=12 September 2008}}</ref>

== Demographics ==
{| class="wikitable"
! Clitheroe Ethnic groups 2011<ref name=Cen2011>{{NOMIS2011|id=1170215103|title=Clitheroe Parish|access-date=5 February 2018}}</ref>
! Percentage
|-
| White British
| 94.9%
|-
| Asian
| 2.0%
|-
| Black
| 0.1%
|}
At the [[2011 United Kingdom census]], Clitheroe [[civil parish]] had a population of 14,765.<ref name=Cen2011/> 5 [[Ward (electoral subdivision)|electoral wards]] cover the same area (Salthill, Littlemoor, Edisford and Low Moor, St Mary's and Primrose). It has small Eastern European and Asian Populations which are both of similar sizes.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Ribble Valley - UK Census Data 2011|url = http://www.ukcensusdata.com/ribble-valley-e07000124#sthash.HNfBVbUJ.Jyu2tMde.dpbs|website = UK Census Data|access-date = 7 December 2015}}</ref>

== Religion ==
There are three [[Anglicanism|Anglican]] churches: the [[St Mary Magdalene's Church, Clitheroe|Parish Church of St Mary Magdalene]]; St James' Church; St Paul's in [[Low Moor, Lancashire|Low Moor]]. The [[Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]] church of [[St Michael and St John Church, Clitheroe|St Michael and St John Church]] is at Lowergate and [[St Augustine's Roman Catholic High School, Billington|St Augustine's High School]] in [[Billington, Lancashire|Billington]] is the local Roman Catholic secondary school.

Trinity [[Methodism|Methodist]] Church is on the edge of Castle Park in Clitheroe. There is also a [[United Reformed Church]] in the town; the Clitheroe Community Church and a [[The Salvation Army|Salvation Army]] citadel. Since 2017, there is also a [[Friends meeting house]]. A former church at Lowergate was granted permission in December 2006 to become a multi faith centre, with a [[Muslims|Muslim]] prayer room. It is open for all faiths to use the rest of the building.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.miec.org.uk/ |title=Archived copy |access-date=23 February 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080211164109/http://www.miec.org.uk/ |archive-date=11 February 2008  }}</ref> The conversion was completed in March 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/NEWS/11082334.First_Clitheroe_mosque_open_after_big_revamp/|title=First Clitheroe mosque open after big revamp|access-date=24 May 2017|date=17 March 2014}}</ref>

== Landmarks ==
=== The castle ===
[[File:Clitheroe Castle.JPG|thumb|upright=0.75|Clitheroe Castle]]
[[Clitheroe Castle]] is argued to be the smallest [[Norman architecture|Norman]] keep in the whole of England. It stands atop a 35-metre knoll of [[limestone]] and is one of the oldest buildings in [[Lancashire]].

The castle's most prominent feature is the hole in its side which was made in 1649 as was ordered by the government.

[[Dixon Robinson]] was in residence as Steward of the Honour of Clitheroe from 1836 until his death in 1878 and resided at the castle for the same period.<ref name="The Blackburn Standard 2233">"Death of Dixon Robinson". The Blackburn Standard (2233): 8. 27 July 1878.</ref> His son Aurthur Ingram Robinson lived at the Castle after 1878, and inherited the Steward title too (see [[Honour of Clitheroe]]).

== Transport ==
The town has good local public transport links, centred around [[Clitheroe Interchange]].

=== Railway ===
[[File:Clitheroe Railway Station - geograph.org.uk - 54783.jpg|thumb|Clitheroe railway station]]
[[Clitheroe railway station]] is on the [[Ribble Valley line]],   providing hourly passenger services to [[Blackburn railway station|Blackburn]], [[Manchester Victoria railway station|Manchester Victoria]] and [[Rochdale railway station|Rochdale]]; the route is operated by [[Northern Trains]].<ref>Welch, M.S. (2004) ''Lancashire Steam Finale'', Runpast Publishing, Cheltenham, {{ISBN|1-870754-61-1}}</ref> Services are operated usually by [[British Rail Class 150|Class 150]] [[diesel multiple units]], & [[British Rail Class 156|Class 156]] units.

Regular passenger train services had ceased in 1962; they resumed in 1994, though only south towards Blackburn at first. ''Ribble Valley Rail'', a community rail group, is campaigning for services from Clitheroe to be extended north to [[Hellifield railway station|Hellifield]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Historic Clitheroe to Hellifield railway line on track to reopen resulting in multi-million pound economic boost|url=https://www.burnleyexpress.net/business/historic-clitheroe-hellifield-railway-line-track-reopen-resulting-multi-million-pound-economic-boost-2868510|access-date=2021-01-06|website=www.burnleyexpress.net|date=29 May 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

On Saturdays, [[DalesRail]] trains run to Settle and Ribblehead. A number of freight trains also pass through Clitheroe each week.

=== Buses ===
There are frequent bus services from Clitheroe Interchange to the surrounding Lancashire and Yorkshire settlements. [[Transdev Blazefield]], with its [[Blackburn Bus Company]] and [[Burnley Bus Company]] subsidiaries, operates mainly interurban services to other towns in Lancashire. Stagecoach in Lancashire operates the [[280 Preston–Skipton]] service. Other operators include [[Preston Bus]] & Vision Bus.

== Sport ==
[[File:Clitheroe FC ground, 2009.JPG|thumb|[[Clitheroe F.C.]] Football Ground]]
[[File:Clitheroe Skatepark - geograph.org.uk - 236332.jpg|thumb|Clitheroe Skate Park]]
[[Clitheroe F.C.]] play in the [[Northern Premier League Division One North]]. Originally established in 1877 as Clitheroe Central, they play their home games at the Shawbridge Stadium.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/ribble_valley/clitheroe/11125531.Clitheroe_Football_Club_faces___40k_refurb_plan_to_stay_in_league/ |title=Clitheroe Football Club faces £40k refurb plan to stay in league |author=Jon Robinson |date=3 April 2014 |work=Lancashire Telegraph |publisher=Newquest |access-date=23 September 2015}}</ref> There is also a youth football club, Clitheroe Wolves, founded in 1992.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/1762943.Anne_s_holding_council/ |title=Anne's holding council |author= Steve Tinniswood |date=16 October 2007 |work=Lancashire Telegraph |publisher=Newquest |access-date=23 September 2015}}</ref>

[[Cricket]] has been played in Clitheroe since the 1800s, with [[Clitheroe Cricket Club]] being formed in 1862 as an amalgamation of two sides, Clitheroe Alhambra and the local Rifles Corps. Based at Chatburn Road and members of the Ribblesdale League since its inception, the club won the league title and both the [[Ramsbottom]] and [[Twenty-20]] cups in the 2006 season.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.burnleyexpress.net/news/a-brief-history-of-clitheroe-cricket-club-1-1671932 |title=A brief history of Clitheroe Cricket Club |date=14 February 2008 |work=Burnley Express |publisher=Johnston Publishing |access-date= 19 September 2015|archive-date=16 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916052959/http://www.burnleyexpress.net/news/a-brief-history-of-clitheroe-cricket-club-1-1671932}}</ref>

The ''Clitheroe [[Golf]] Club'' was founded in 1891, and originally the course was at Horrocksford on land now quarried away. The current course was designed by [[James Braid (golfer)|James Braid]], and play began in the early 1930s. It is located south of the town in the neighbouring parish of [[Pendleton, Lancashire|Pendleton]].<ref>{{HERR|mnumber=841735 |mname=Clitheroe Golf Course |access-date=19 September 2015}}</ref> Clitheroe Rugby Union Football Club, formed in 1977, play at Silcock Park (formerly Littlemoor Park) on Littlemoor Road in the town and run two adult mens rugby teams, one adult ladies team and have a thriving junior section.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.burnleyexpress.net/news/rugby-club-s-major-anniversary-1-1677415 |title=Rugby club's major anniversary |date=8 August 2007 |work=Burnley Express |publisher=Johnston Publishing |access-date=19 September 2015}}</ref>

In August 2005, a cycle race, the ''Clitheroe Grand Prix'', took place in the town, with [[Russell Downing]] finishing ahead of [[Chris Newton]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/347/Clitheroe-Town-Centre-Grand-Prix |title=Clitheroe Town Centre Grand Prix |date=3 August 2005 |website=British Cycling |access-date=20 September 2015}}</ref> In August 2006, [[Ben Greenwood]] won, with [[Ian Wilkinson (cyclist)|Ian Wilkinson]] second,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/12219/Clitheroe-Grand-Prix |title=Clitheroe Grand Prix |date=2 August 2006 |website=British Cycling |access-date=20 September 2015}}</ref> but in April 2007, the council decided not to support another event, citing poor attendance.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/1313793.Council_cancels_cycling_grand_prix/ |title=Council cancels cycling grand prix |date=6 April 2007 |work=Lancashire Telegraph |publisher=Newquest |access-date=20 September 2015}}</ref> The town was also the start point of the second stage of the [[2015 Tour of Britain]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/13651514.TOUR_OF_BRITAIN__Thousands_turn_out_as_sunshine_stage_wins_over_East_Lancashire/ |title=TOUR OF BRITAIN: Thousands turn out as sunshine stage wins over East Lancashire |author=Jon Robinson |date=8 September 2015 |work=Lancashire Telegraph |publisher=Newquest |access-date=19 September 2015}}</ref>

Public sports facilities are available at Edisford, with the Ribblesdale Pool and Clitheroe Tennis Centre located there, along with a number of football pitches and netball courts.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ribblevalley.gov.uk/info/200296/sport_and_leisure/1484/astroturf_pitches_grass_pitches_and_tennis_courts |title=Astroturf Pitches, Grass Pitches and Tennis Courts |website=Ribble Valley Borough Council |access-date=23 September 2015}}</ref> The site is shared with the Roefield Leisure Centre, developed and operated by a registered charity whose supporters began fund-raising in 1985.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.clitheroeadvertiser.co.uk/news/leisure-centre-set-to-expand-1-1683377 |title=Leisure centre set to expand |date=8 September 2015 |work=Clitheroe Advertiser and Times |publisher=Johnston Publishing |access-date=23 September 2015}}</ref>

In April 2006, Clitheroe Skatepark officially opened in the Castle grounds, built and funded by the Lancaster Foundation charitable trust.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/744753.Skate_park_gets_rolling/ |title=Skate park gets rolling |author=Adrian Worsley |date=27 April 2006 |work=Lancashire Telegraph |publisher=Newquest |access-date=23 September 2015}}</ref> In June 2016, Clitheroe-raised mixed martial artist, [[Michael Bisping]], won the [[UFC Middleweight Championship]], by defeating Luke Rockhold by way of knockout in the first round of the fight.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/36453139 |title=UFC: Britain's Michael Bisping wins middleweight championship|date=5 June 2016|work=BBC Sport}}</ref> On 5 July 2019 he was inducted into The UFC Hall of Fame. He is the first English fighter to be inducted.

== Culture ==
In 2018, the short documentary ''Alfie the Odd-Job Boy of Clitheroe'' featured on BBC Three. The film follows the ups and downs of 18-year-old Alfie Cookson, who set up his own business on a tandem pushbike and trailer after struggling to work for other people.<ref>{{cite web |title=Alfie the Odd-Job Boy of Clitheroe |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwpuGv85tyQ |website=YouTube | date=3 August 2018 |access-date=5 March 2020}}</ref>

=== Festivals ===
Clitheroe has hosted the ''Ribble Valley Jazz and Blues Fest'' since making a return in 2010 after more than 40 years. It is held annually, usually during [[May Day|Early May Bank Holiday]] weekend.  

The annual Clitheroe Food Festival takes place in early August. Eighty or more Lancashire food and drink producers are selected to participate by the festival organisers. Lancashire's top professional chefs, the town's retailers, groups and volunteer organisations also take part.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.clitheroefoodfestival.co.uk/|title=Clitheroe Food Festival|work=clitheroefoodfestival.co.uk}}</ref>

==Media==
Local news and television programmes are provided by [[BBC North West]] and [[ITV Granada]]. Television signals are received from the [[Winter Hill transmitting station|Winter Hill]] TV transmitter.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Winter_Hill |title=Full Freeview on the Winter Hill (Bolton, England) transmitter|date=May 2004 |publisher=UK Free TV |access-date=1 January 2024}}</ref> 

Local radio stations are [[BBC Radio Lancashire]], [[Heart North West]], [[Smooth North West]], [[Greatest Hits Radio Lancashire]], [[Capital Manchester and Lancashire]], and Ribble FM, a community based station which broadcast to the town and across the [[Ribble Valley]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ribblefm.com/# |title=Ribble FM |access-date=1 January 2024}}</ref> 

The town is served by the local newspapers, ''[[Burnley Express]]'' (formerly ''The Clitheroe Advertiser & Times'') and ''[[Lancashire Telegraph]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.britishpapers.co.uk/england-nw/clitheroe-advertiser-and-times/|title=The Clitheroe Advertiser & Times|date=3 September 2013|website=British Papers|accessdate=1 January 2024}}</ref>

== Education ==
[[File:CRGS2007.JPG|thumb|Clitheroe Royal Grammar School]]
The two main secondary schools in the town are [[Clitheroe Royal Grammar School]], [[Ribblesdale High School]] .There are several primary schools in the town. These are St James's [[Church of England]] Primary School, St. Michael and John's [[Roman Catholic]] Primary School, Pendle Primary School, Edisford Primary School, Brookside Primary School and newly built (2024) Ribblesdale Primary School.

== Health ==
Clitheroe has a health centre, accommodating the Pendleside Medical Practice and the Castle Medical Group. There is a community hospital. The area is served by the East Lancashire Commissioning Care Group. Clitheroe also has its own [[ambulance station|Ambulance]], [[fire station|Fire]] and [[police station]]s.

==Twin town==
Clitheroe is [[Sister city|twinned]] with [[Rivesaltes]], a small town in France.

== Notable Clitheronians ==
{{See also|Category:People from Clitheroe}}
[[File:Captain james king.jpg|thumb|140px|Captain [[James King (Royal Navy officer)|James King]], 1782]]
[[File:John Stuart Pettinger DCM.jpg|thumb|140px|former Parachute Regiment officer, [[John Pettinger]], 2022]]
* [[Robert de Cliderhou]] (died. 1339?), clerk in the [[Court of Chancery]] and pastor.<ref>{{cite DNB|wstitle= Cliderhou, Robert de |volume= 11 |last= Bradley |first= Henry |author-link= Henry Bradley |pages= 54-55 |year= 1887 |short=1}}</ref>
* [[Richard Shuttleworth (MP for Clitheroe)|Richard Shuttleworth]] (c.1613–1648), politician, [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|MP]] for [[Clitheroe (UK Parliament constituency)|Clitheroe]] between 1640 and 1648. 
* [[James King (Royal Navy officer)|James King]] (1750–1784), Royal Navy officer,<ref>{{cite DNB|wstitle= King, James (1750-1784) |volume= 31 |last= Laughton  |first= John Knox |author-link= John Knox Laughton |page= 136 |year= 1892 |short=1}}</ref> was with [[James Cook]] on his last voyage around the world.<ref>{{cite DCB |first=Glyndwr |last=Williams |title=King, James (1750-84) |volume=4 |url=http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/king_james_1750_84_4E.htm}}</ref>
* [[Dixon Robinson]] (1795–1878) Steward of the [[Honour of Clitheroe]], Blackburn lawyer and major landowner and employer in Clitheroe and [[Chatburn]]. Built the Pendle Hotel. Owned the Bold Venture Kiln and Quarry from 1837 to 1878. Lived at [[Clitheroe Castle]].<ref name="The Blackburn Standard 2233"/>
* [[John Brogden (industrialist)|John Brogden]] (1798–1869), a railway industrialist, formed [[John Brogden and Sons]] with four of his five sons.
* [[Sir William Dunn, 1st Baronet, of Clitheroe]] (1856–1926), [[Conservative Party (UK)|Tory Party]] politician and 589th [[Lord Mayor of London]].
* [[Ellen Musson|Dame Ellen Musson]] (1867–1960), Chair of the [[General Nursing Council]] for England and Wales.
* [[Arthur Joseph Wrigley]] (1902–1983), obstetrician and gynaecologist, designed the [[Obstetrical forceps|Wrigley forceps]]
* [[Jimmy Clitheroe]] (1921–1973) a comedian well known for his radio show ''[[The Clitheroe Kid]]'', was born in the town and raised locally.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/local/tragic-end-of-blackpool-comic-genius-1-426503 |title=Tragic end of Blackpool comic genius |date=2 May 2008 |work=Blackpool Gazette |publisher=Johnston Publishing |access-date=24 September 2015}}</ref>
* [[Jeff Nuttall]] (1933–2004), poet, actor, teacher, painter, sculptor, jazz musician, anarchist and social commentator
* [[Derek Spencer|Sir Derek Spencer]] (1936–2023), barrister and politician; [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|MP]] for [[Leicester South (UK Parliament constituency)|Leicester South]] from 1983 to 1987 and for [[Brighton Pavilion (UK Parliament constituency)|Brighton Pavilion]] from 1992 to 1997 when he was also [[Solicitor General for England and Wales]].
* [[Ian Sharp]] (born 1946), film and TV director, he directed ''[[Who Dares Wins (film)|Who Dares Wins]]'' (1982) and the action sequences of the [[List of James Bond films#GoldenEye (1995)|James Bond film]] ''[[GoldenEye]]'' (1995).
* [[Peter Hargreaves]] (born 1946), co founder of [[Hargreaves Lansdown]] plc., he owns three racehorses.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/business/money/investments/article157034.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529021855/http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/business/money/investments/article157034.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 May 2015 |title=Fame and Fortune: Peter Hargreaves |author=Andrew Lynch |publisher=Sunday Times |date=22 March 2009 |access-date=24 September 2015}}</ref>
* [[Pattie Coldwell]] (1952–2002), TV and radio presenter and journalist.
* [[John Pettinger]] (born 1953), awarded the [[Distinguished Conduct Medal]] in the [[Falklands War]] (1982)

=== Sport ===
[[File:Jon Schofield in 2013 (cropped) 1.jpg|thumb|140px|[[Jon Schofield (canoeist)|Jon Schofield]], 2013]]
* [[Cyril Washbrook]] (1914–1999), cricketer, who played 592 [[First-class cricket]] matches and 37 [[Test cricket]] matches
* [[Bill Slater (footballer)|Bill Slater]] (1927–2018), footballer who played 352 games including 310 for [[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolves]]
* [[Jim Furnell]] (born 1937), football goalkeeper, who played 430 games, mainly for [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] & [[Plymouth Argyle F.C.|Plymouth Argyle]]
* [[John Lund (racing driver)|John Lund]] (born 1954), Eight-time [[BriSCA Formula 1 Stock Cars]] World Champion.<ref>{{cite web |first1=Paul |last1=Broderick |first2=Kevin |last2=Sharp |title=John Lund |url=http://www.briscaf1stox.co.uk/website/drivers.php?d=537&menu=h |publisher=BriSCA F1 Registered Drivers Website |access-date=20 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925120040/http://www.briscaf1stox.co.uk/website/drivers.php?d=537&menu=h |archive-date=25 September 2015 |url-status=usurped }}</ref>
* [[Simon Westwell]] (born 1961), former professional footballer, played 63 games for [[Preston North End F.C.|Preston North End]]
* [[Michael Bisping]] (born 1979), former [[Ultimate Fighting Championship|UFC]] World Middleweight Champion, now sports commentator and actor.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/29879419 |title=Michael Bisping: UFC superstar made in Britain |author= Chris Osborne |date=4 November 2014 |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |access-date=24 September 2015}}</ref>
* [[Jon Schofield (canoeist)|Jon Schofield]] (born 1985), canoeist, lives locally, won bronze and silver at the [[Canoeing at the 2012 Summer Olympics|2012]] & [[Canoeing at the 2016 Summer Olympics|2016 Summer Olympics]]
* [[Samantha Murray]] (born 1989), a [[modern pentathlon|modern pentathlete]], silver medallist [[Modern pentathlon at the 2012 Summer Olympics|at the 2012 Summer Olympics]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/9609398.Home_rules_for_Sam_and_her_Olympic_dream/ |title=Home rules for Sam and her Olympic dream |author= Jessica Cree |date=23 March 2012 |work=Lancashire Telegraph |publisher=Newquest |access-date=20 September 2015}}</ref>
* [[Adam Barton (footballer)|Adam Barton]] (born 1991), professional footballer, played about 380 games, starting with 50 for [[Preston North End F.C.|Preston North End]]

{{clear}}
== Media gallery ==
{{gallery
|Clitheroe Library.JPG|[[List of Carnegie libraries in Europe#England|Clitheroe Library]] and Market Street.
|Clitheroe street.JPG|The main street in Clitheroe, taken from [[Swan Court Shopping Arcade]].
|Clitheroe park enterance.jpg|The main park in Clitheroe; its entrance.
|Clitheroe View.JPG|View from Clitheroe Castle. In the distance is [[Pendle Hill]].
|Clitheroe Park.jpg|A part of the original [[Houses of Parliament]], a gift from [[London]] in the 'rose garden'.
|View of Clitheroe.JPG|View towards the railway station from Clitheroe Castle
}}

== See also ==
{{Portal|Lancashire}}
* [[Listed buildings in Clitheroe]]
* [[Scheduled monuments in Lancashire]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Further reading ==
* [[Thomas Dunham Whitaker]], ''An history of the original parish of Whalley, and honor of Clitheroe'', 1818 [https://archive.org/details/historyoforigina00whit Full text at archive.org]
* Farrer and Brownbill, ''The Victoria history of the county of Lancaster Vol 1'', 1906 [https://archive.org/details/victoriahistoryo01farruoft Full text at archive.org]

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Clitheroe}}
* [http://www.clitheroetowncouncil.gov.uk/ Clitheroe Town Council]

{{Clitheroe}}
{{Borough of Ribble Valley}}
{{Lancashire}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Clitheroe| ]]
[[Category:Market towns in Lancashire]]
[[Category:Civil parishes in Lancashire]]
[[Category:Geography of Ribble Valley]]
[[Category:Towns in Lancashire]]