Stats
| Difficulty | Moderate to Strenuous (11 miles) |
| Length | 11 mi – 17.7 km |
| Total elevation | 1,601 ft – 481m |
| Highest point | 942 ft – 296m |
| Walking time | 4h48 |
| Terrain | Paths, Roads and streets |
| Equipment | Take an extra layer as the top can be colder or windier. Also, some waterproof boots or shoes; some of the terrain gets muddy |
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Getting there
- Driving: Car-parking along Accrington Road is free and untimed. There is a pay and display at the Swan Hotel.
- Public transport:
- From Preston: Bus 280 to Post Office in Whalley (c.45 mins)
- From Manchester: Direct bus to Whalley (c. 1h10)
- From Leeds: Train to Blackburn then train to Whalley (c. 2hrs)
Watering Holes
- The White Hart – Sadden – c. 4 miles into the walk (1h45)
Amazing value lunches on Tue-Thu. The pub has received several awards for its food. Good selection of cask ales.
Home-cooked and locally sourced food served everyday from 12:00-20:00 (19:00 on Sundays) Small plates, classic pub mains and grills and home-made pies. Children menu available. Muddy paws and boots are alway welcome. Cosy fireplace in the winter. Good old fashioned tenanted pub.
This is definitely my favorite of the three. - The Freemason at Wiswell – c. 8 miles into the walk (3h30)
Wiswell is a charming village who has won several awards. The same goes for the Freemason. Listed in Michelin and Estrella Award list, this is a gastro pub where the food is excellent and worth the extra money for special occasions (£40-50 pp for the food only). Thus not suitable for a mid-walk lunch as this is (informal) formal dining and needs time to be appreciated. However, the service is always impeccable and friendly. Feel free to stop on a sunny day for a pint in the outside seating area.
It does serves real ale.
- The Dog Inn at Whalley – right at the end.
A night and day contrast with the previous venue. This is as old fashioned as it gets (both in terms of look and atmosphere)
Fully independent with great ales (member of CAMRA) and home-cooked food (Pub classics). Children menu available. However, food is for lunch only (12:00-14:00) unless pre-arranged for dinner. Excellent value for money.
Your typical friendly village inn. Muddy paws and boots are always welcome. Children menu available. Frequented by locals but visitors will alway be made to feel welcome. The pub is open for drinks from 12:00-23:00 Sunday – Thursday and until midnight on Friday and Saturday. Outdoor seating in the summer.
Make a week-end of it
Whalley is a lovely place to spend the week-end. Other than a multitude of walks departing from there; this charming market town offers a wide range of cafes, ice-cream parlour, pubs, wine bars and restaurants.
Shop till you drop: Whalley Warm and Dry is a long-standing institution for walking shoes, clothing and accessories. An independent shop running since 2000. Specialises in boot-fitting (appointment only), it offers boots in 5 different width and specialist insoles for various feet condition. Walkers travel from all over the North of England, and the rest of the country to find new walking boots or garments. Doctors, Physio and Chiropodists will refer patients to the store. Open from 9:00-17:00 Tue-Sat.
If you want to stay at the heart of Whalley, the Swan hotel has no-fuss rooms above its pub-restaurant. I have never had the chance to stop there but reviews on the rooms are positive.
If you are after more luxurious settings; the Foxfields Country Hotel is on the outskirt and half and hour walk from the town. I have not stayed there either but it is a popular wedding venue in the Valley. And reviews on the internet are excellent.
And if you are after the ultimate luxury, the Freemasons at Wiswell is the place to be. The pub-restaurant has bought the adjacent cottages and turned them into 4 luxurious bedrooms. Perfect for a romantic week-end for example. But rooms start at £250 and Dinner, Bed and Breakfast for 2 at £310, although if you have some cash to spare; this is not bad value. The food really is excellent, the rooms are special and the service is very professional, yet friendly.
And for yet another level of luxury, Northcote Manor is only around the corner.
For something more low key and down to earth; The White Hart in Sadden will accommodate camper vans for the night. I have always enjoyed the food there and they have events in the evening (Jam / open-mic. or quiz night). Service is very friendly. Muddy paws and boots are always welcome. The pub also offers maps of walk from the village.
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Peregrinating the North West and Beyond 