Glamping at Greendale

Cultural types can make for Clitheroe Castle (10 minutes’ drive), a ruined medieval landmark free to wander, with an interactive museum showcasing several millennia of local history. Literary fans might care to follow the Tolkien Trail, a circular Ribble Valley route starting in Hurst Green and taking in Stonyhurst College (both 20 minutes), where author Tolkien stayed while writing The Lord of the Rings. Mired in myth and legend, Pendle Hill (10 minutes) is infamous as the home of the Pendle Witches, executed for witchcraft in 1612. Today you can walk for miles on the Pendle Way without seeing a witch, and pop into one of the many enticing pubs along the way. Follow the Pendle Sculpture Trail from the village of Barley (15 minutes) to find carved horses, witches and goblins along the forest route. The kids will probably thank you for a day out at Bowland Wild Boar Park (half an hour) where they can ride tractors, go on riverside walks and feed the farm animals. Another fine choice for entertaining youngsters is Mrs Dowsons Farm Park (25 minutes), home to emus, inquisitive goats, lambs and piglets (in season), as well as donkeys and horses to feed.