The event is open from Saturday 9am – 4:30pm.
By Car
The ancient market town of Clitheroe is situated in the heart of Ribble Valley.
Coming from the South (Preston, Blackburn), leave M6 at Junction 31. Follow the signs for Clitheroe A59 for approximately 13 miles. Go straight on at the roundabout before McDonald’s, before turning left at the next roundabout (A671).
From the North (Skipton), follow A59. After passing the turning for Chatburn/Downham, you will take the second turning on the right signed “Clitheroe, A671”. At the first roundabout turn left Chatburn Rd. Then at the next roundabout turn right, before going straight at the next approaching roundabout signed “Waddington, Longridge”. Follow the road around a sharp left-hand bend (do not follow Waddington under bridge) to arrive at the centre.
When you arrive in Clitheroe follow the route signposted.
The town centre will be busy with road closures in place to stage the festival (normal day parking charges will apply on festival day), therefore we strongly recommend using the Park and Ride Scheme where all proceeds go to the festival.
Park and Ride Scheme
We have two park and ride car parks. If you are coming from Skipton direction please use the park and ride at Heidelberg Cements (BB7 4QF) or if you are coming from Preston direction please use the park and ride at Roefield Leisure (BB7 3LA). P&R is £5 a vehicle, payable on site by card or cash; this includes parking and places on regular bus rides to and from the town centre throughout the festival.
The park and ride is provided by Ribble Valley Borough Council.
By Rail
There are hourly trains from Manchester to Clitheroe, calling en route at stations :-
Manchester Victoria, Salford Central, Salford Crescent, Bolton, Hall I’ Th’ Wood, Bromley Cross, Entwhistle, Darwen, Blackburn, Ramsgreave & Wilpshire, Langho, Whalley, Clitheroe.
Northern Rail have worked with us for the last few years, each year the train becomes more popular and an additional carriage was put on last year too! Running from Blackburn every hour. We suggest you catch an early train (before 11am), particularly if you struggle with mobility or have small families.
You can use the trainline app to check the status of trains.
You must first check with rail enquiries, but on that Saturday, there should be one scheduled train from Settle and Hellifield to Clitheroe with one return several hours later, both during the opening hours of the Food Festival.
By Public Bus
Clitheroe is well serviced by buses from local towns.
The maximum adult bus fare is £2
The following is a list of the numbers of buses to Clitheroe from different destinations
Accrington 15
Barley 66 67
Barnoldswick 280
Barrow 22 280 M2
Barrow Brook 5 15 25 64
Barrowford 67
Bashall Eaves 11
Billington 22 25 280
Blackburn 22 25
Blacko 67
Bracewell 280
Brockhall 25
Brownhill 22
Burnley 64 M2
Calderstones 5
Chatburn 66 67 280 C3
Chipping 5 5a
Clayton-Le-Dale 25 280
Clayton-Le-Moors 15
Copster Green 25 280
Downham 66 67
Dunsop Bridge 11
Earby 280
Elslack 280
Fence 66
Giggleswick 11
Gisburn 280
Grindleton 66 67
Great Harwood 15
Hurst Green 5 5a
Kelbrook 280
Langho 22 280
Longridge 5 5a
Mellor 25
Mellor Brook 280
Mitton 5
Nelson 66 67
Newton 11
Osbaldeston 25 280
Oswaldtwistle 15
Padiham 64 M2
Pimlico C3
Preston 280
Rathmell 11
Read M2
Ribchester 5 5a
Rishton 15
Sabden 64
Salterforth 280
Samlesbury 280
Sawley C3
Settle 11
Simonstone M2
Skipton 280
Slaidburn 11
Sough 280
Thornton-In-Craven 280
Tosside 11
Waddington 66 67
West Bradford 66 67
Whalley 5 15 22 25 64 280 M2
Wigglesworth 11
Wilpshire 22
For more information please visit Bus information on your mobile.
By Coach
Coach tour operators / organised groups of 8 or more
We welcome coach tour operators / organised groups to our festival.
Upon arriving at Clitheroe please follow the signs for the train station and drop off your passengers at the interchange, THEN make your way to the park and ride where our stewards will also provide you with a FREE park and ride ticket.
