The village of Whalley is surrounded by vast countryside, making this perfect for escaping the city. If you're looking to commute, Blackburn is just a short train ride away, as is Accrington. Whalley is also a great family location with an array of local schools and play areas.
Things To Do
If you’re a fan of the outdoors Whalley Nab is the place to go. The circular walk visits the Spring Wood Nature Reserve and passes by the River Calder, giving you stunning views from the trail's high points. Whalley also has their own golf club and boasts a well-maintained course with tasty takeaway food. If wine tasting is your thing then you're in luck! Whalley Wine Shop has a vast range of wine and spirits for you to choose from and they even have a wine bar next door where they often hold wine tastings.
Things You Didn't Know About Whalley
Whalley is a part of cricket history as the first 'Roses' cricket match between Lancashire and Yorkshire was held there.
Schools in Whalley
Within the village itself there are two main schools: Whalley CofE Primary School and Oakhill School. Further afield from Whalley itself are four other schools rated Outstanding by Ofsted:
- Barrow URC Primary School
- Langho and Billington St Leonard’s Church of England Primary School
- St Augustine’s Roman Catholic High School
- St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Primary School
Transport
Whalley has its own train station that connects directly to Blackburn in less than 20 minutes, perfect for a family day out or a spontaneous shopping trip! Bus routes are also easily accessible from the village centre and covers a wide area, meaning you'll never be limited to staying in the village. If you’re having to drive somewhere, Whalley is well connected as the A59 and the A671 surround the village.
History
Whalley Abbey was inhabited by Cistercian monks in 1296 after moving from Stanlow Point due to storms and flooding. After moving to Whalley they started to expand the abbey adding a new church, infirmary, abbot’s lodging and a cloister which didn’t finish construction until the 1440’s.
Eating & Drinking
The centre of the village has three pubs: The Dog Inn, The Swan Hotel and The DeLacy Arms. The Swan Hotel serves food all day long while the others are great for a cold drink. Whalley has a quiet nightlife having only one club and a handful of bars. Looking for finer dining? The Aviary is the perfect choice for quality food and cocktails.
Shopping
The village has a vibrant high street with a collection of independently owned clothing boutiques, handmade goods stores and wine stores. Local wedding boutique, LuLu Brown's has in-house designers that create stunning bespoke wedding gowns! Whalley Warm & Dry provides an award-winning boot fitting service, ensuring your feet are well supported while hiking and on walks.
