Welcome to The Rossendale

Valley

We live in the Rossendale Valley, one of the most picturesque, varied and interesting areas of Lancashire's Hill country. The three towns of Rawtenstall, Haslingden and Bacup nestle in the Irwell valley and are time capsules from Britain's industrial past. The area has a wealth of fine buildings, museums, churches and mill shops just waiting to be visited.

Rawtenstall is the terminus for the award winning East Lancashire Steam Railway. A short stroll from the Station is the last remaining temperance bar, Herbal Health, where original old concoctions such as Black beer, sarsaparilla and dandelion and burdock can be bought. Nearby at Whitaker Park, the Rossendale Museum, a 19th century former mill owners mansion, carefully preserves the social history of the area including a detailed reconstruction of a Victorian drawing room. The museum also houses collections of fine and

decorative art, natural history , local and social history. The museum offers free admission. The Weavers Cottage in Rawtenstall is one of the finest examples of an 18th century loom-shop.Helmshore Textile Museum is well worth a visit. Also in Rawtenstall is Ski Rossendale, the North West's premier ski centre.The centre is open all year round and is ideal for everyone from beginners to Olympic skiers or spectators. Ski Rossendale is set amidst trees and parklands and commands a superb view over the Rossendale Valley. Rossendale has a lively cultural life with street fairs and open air events throughout the year. The Valley is also home to the internationally renowned Horse and Bamboo Theatre Company.

Dotted around the valley are picturesque towns and villages such as Crawshawbooth, Whitworth, Waterfoot and Edenfield which are charming and fascinating starting points for walks over the moors and valleys.

Whether you are a keen hiker or just out for a stroll, Rossendale has some of the most beautiful and varied landscapes in the North West. Much of the area was seen on TV when "Juliet Bravo" was recorded. The front of Bacup Police Office was used in the series as being the fictional Hartley station. Bacup is recognised by the English Heritage as the best preserved cotton town in Britain.

Click here to see the deer

Just to show how diverse the valley can be, (considering that we are less than a mile from our busy town centre) this photo is of the bottom of our garden and if you click on it for a larger image you will see a deer which visited us early one morning.!! Amongst other regular visitors are sheep,squirrels,hares and a multitude of birds.
The Rossendale Valley has reputation for having poor weather, but its not always bad ! (Just usually!)

You can see where we are in relation to the other towns in Lancashire on this map.

Knowhereboard Noticeboard for Rawtenstall

 

Click above to learn a little about "Lanky" i.e. how we speak "up 'ere int'North "!

 

The weather at the moment !! (The nearest main city, 18 miles away)

 

The Rossendale Valley Meteorological Site 

A fascinating site by a local member of the Royal Meteorological Society , forecasts, web cams and much more.

 

 

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