Lockdown mark II has made me reflect on how the past 13 years I've been lucky enough to live in wonderful Wilpshire. I've lived all over the country, Harrogate, Northwich, Manchester and London. I thought it would be great to share the virtues of Wilpshire life. I will miss living in this beautiful place; it is an undiscovered gem. Wilpshire marks the beginning of the Ribble Valley, a wonderful place to live. It has a rich tapestry of history, fabulous food, wonderful walks and only a short drive to get on the motorway (m6/m65) or catch a train on the Manchester Victoria to Clitheroe line. It has elevation of over 770ft in parts, and views over to Longridge Fell.
We are selling our house here, now that my husband has retired and I thought it would be great to share the virtues of Wilpshire life. I will miss living in this beautiful place.
Semi-Rural Countryside Walks
One of the most wonderful things we were able to do in lockdown was to walk out of our house and go on a beautiful walk. The semi-rural location of Wilpshire makes that possible. With the valley of the Showley Brook Stream in our midst, as well as the elevated views delivered by the networks of Public Footpaths that meander across Wilpshire, you can carve out a path with a view that suits you. The local parish council of Wilpshire invests in maintaining a network of footpaths that intertwine with snickleways, alleyways and playgrounds to venture around. There are a selection of them to try on Wilpshire Parish Council's website. Wilpshire's semi-rural location delivers the best of both worlds with the countryside, and excellent shops/services on our doorstep. It really is a harmonious blend of living.
Commutable location with Excellent Transport Links
Working in Manchester and jumping on the train is a wonderful way to get to and from work. I used to listen to Audiobooks, and be hypnotised watching the ever changing view. The train line from Ramsgreave and Wilpshire (which is 0.1 miles away from my house) goes through Blackburn, Darwen, Entwistle, Hall 'I 'th Wood, Bromley Cross, Bolton, Salford Central and Manchester Victoria. I loved watching out for the deer roaming the woodland around Entwistle reservoir. What a wonderful place. Happy memories of walking around there and having a drink in the delectable Strawberry Duck pub at the end of the walk.
When I did need to drive in, I could be in Manchester in 50 minutes depending on the time of day.
In Wilpshire, you're only 5/10 minutes from the M65 which connects Preston to Colne. Or 15 minutes from the M6 at junction 31 Salesbury. Which connects you to the Lakes, Scotland and the South.
The other fabulous thing about Wilpshire is you're only 40 minutes drive away from the Yorkshire Dales on the A59 or the South Lakes. You can even go to the Lake District via the Forest of Bowland which is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and explore the beautiful views on the way.
Nearby places to Visit by Train
If you want to head into the Ribble Valley for a meal at the Michelin starred Northcote you can hop on the train at Ramsgreave and Wilpshire and the next stop is Langho. Langho station is only a 5 minute walk from Northcote. Or you could head on the train to Whalley and walk into the village have a delightful afternoon in the fabulous award winning wine shop, the Whalley Wine Shop and then cap it off with a wonderful meal at Breda Murphy's before catching the train home. Or if you fancy it you could take the train to Clitheroe and head to the award winning Bowland Mill Brewery with its selection of real ales, real food, and a gourmet food hall. We really are blessed with epicurean delights in the Ribble Valley. The Ribble Valley Council has produced a list of walks with Taste which is a handy starting point.
Local favourites of mine in addition to those establishments mentioned above are:
The Bonny Inn, Salesbury (1 mile) (you can walk here, as its the next village)
The Inn at Whitewell, Whitewell (13.4 miles)
Community Facilities
Wilpshire Methodist Church & Youth Club (which is the local Polling Station)
Local Services and Shops within at 1 mile walk
Beeches Butchers, Wilpshire
The Cooperative Supermarket, Ramsgreave
Furstyle Dog Grooming, Ramsgreave
Schools on your doorstep
Public
Salesbury Church of England Primary School (0.6 Miles)
St Leonard's Church of England Primary (1.9 Miles)
St Mary's Roman Catholic Primary School in Langho (2.0 Miles)
St Augustine's Roman Catholic High School in Billington, Whalley (3.8 Miles)
Clitheroe Royal Grammar School (9.8 Miles)
Private
Westholme, Blackburn (3.1 Miles)
Oakhill School and Nursery, Whalley (5.6 Miles)
Stonyhurst, Hurst Green (8.1 Miles)
Moorland School, (10.1 Miles)
Medical Facilities
Brownhill Doctor's Surgery (0.5 miles)
Beardwood Private Hospital (3.1 Miles)
Synergy Dentists, Great Harwood (3.9 Miles)
Award Winning Dentists in Clitheroe, Clavell & Bate (9.8 miles)
Blackburn Royal Teaching Hospital for A&E (4.7 Miles)
Relocating to Lancashire? Want a unique home? Want to move to somewhere with a fabulous view? Want privacy and to be connected via a fantastic train line, 5 minute drive to our motorway network? Want wonderful neighbours? Fancy spending time in your garden room where you can absorb your unique victorian woodland view? Want to buy somewhere with no onward chain?
Take a look at Hollybank, replete with its own Holly tree on its bank.
Hollybank, has a unique layout and more so when you narrow it down to its locality in Wilpshire, and even more so in the Ribble Valley. It sets it apart from other properties for sale. The C-shaped layout; linking the main house to the old coach house via our garden room with its beautiful hardwood bifold windows. The icing on the cake is its dry cellar and studio/office. I must say the garden room is an entertainers dream in all seasons, as it faces South, along with our garden.
Hollybank, 8 Whalley Road, Wilpshire, BB1 9PJ, £550,000
When Mr W and I are asked what we are going to miss most about Hollybank, we both answer without hesitation: our neighbours, the house, the view. All are welcoming, and envelop you in their hospitality 365 days a year.
We have never loved a house any more than this one. Which I guess is the time to sell up, whilst she is at her most resplendent. We call her a she, as her name is Hollybank, and it seems fitting to personify her in this way.
If you're looking for a period detached property in the Ribble valley that needs literally nothing doing to it, unless you really really want to, then this could be the house for you. Take a look at: Hollybank, 8 Whalley Road, Wilpshire, BB1 9PJ, £550,000 - no onward chain