Saetr Garden holiday cottage is located in ideal walking country, bird watching, fishing, for artists or just relaxing in a beautiful peaceful environment. Cycling tracks in nearby Gisburn Forest.

Clitheroe is 5 miles away – Booths, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Aldi & Lidl in Clitheroe, market day Saturday, Tuesday and Thursday.

Best butcher – Roy Porter Butchers of Chatburn or Alpes on Shawbridge Street opposite Lidl.

Bolton-by-Bowland, Grindleton & Slaidburn 3 miles – B-by-B and Slaidburn each have a small shop selling essentials and newspapers.  In Chatburn (about 3.5 miles) is award winning Butcher, Roy Porter and the small but very well stocked Chatburn Stores.

The Tourist Information Centre is within the Platform Gallery in Clitheroe – plenty of up to date local information available and always worth a look at the current exhibition in the Gallery.  www.ribblevalley.gov.uk/platformgallery

You’re sure to enjoy shopping in Clitheroe, well known for Cowmans Famous Sausage Shop and D. Byrne & Co Wine Merchants.  Clitheroe has an array of clothing boutiques for every taste and gift shops, our favourites are La Tete et Tout on Moor Lane for a fabulous outfit, Ken Vareys Outdoor World for country clothing or Raffia on King Street for a card or gift to make a friend smile.  If you’re looking for something to eat there are plenty of cafes and restaurants to choose from; people watch at Blueberries on the Market, linger a while in The Emporium, eat cake in Holmes Mill Food Hall and select cheeses, olives and meats to take back to Saetr Garden Holiday Cottage.  www.visitclitheroe.co.uk

Though smaller Whalley has a surprising abundance of independent shops and a great place for breakfast – a perfect start before a walk along the River Ribble.

Cross over the border to Skipton in North Yorkshire for more of a taste of high street shopping and the market on the main street (not Tuesday).

Further afield an hour’s drive can take you to The Lake District, The Yorkshire Dales, Liverpool or Manchester.  The train from Clitheroe to Manchester is every hour (takes 1 ¼ hrs) and from Settle catch the train to Carlisle experiencing the stunning view and crossing the Ribblehead Viaduct.

“A wonderful Christmas hideaway – the cottage was perfect.” December 2019