The picturesque River Calder, set in the valleys of Lancashire, is a major tributary of the River Ribble. It passes through Holme Chapel, Walk Mill, Burnley, Padiham, Altham and Whalley, before joining the Ribble near Great Mitton. At Whalley it passes the abbey and is crossed in turn by the Whalley Viaduct. The river has been hugely important throughout the history of this area of Lancashire, and continues to be enjoyed to this day. The river and surrounding area have a fascinating history that includes battles in the Dark Ages, the invention of bottled beer, the monks of Whalley Abbey, the Witches of Pendle, the Industrial Revolution and a whole lot more. With the Cliviger Gorge, Towneley Park, Pendle Hill and the Ribble Valley, the River Calder is a delight to explore and one of the gems of the English landscape.
