Clitheroe (/ˈklɪðəroʊ/) is a town and civil parish in the Borough of Ribble Valley, Lancashire, England; it is located 34 miles (55 km) north-west of Manchester.

[4][5] Clitheroe and the wider Ribble Valley have also been listed as healthiest and happiest place to live in the United Kingdom.

Several manufacturing companies have sites here, including Dugdale Nutrition, Hanson Cement, Johnson Matthey and Tarmac.

[12] It subsequently became part of the Duchy of Lancaster until Charles II at the Restoration bestowed it, on George Monck, 1st Duke of Albemarle, from whose family it descended through the house of Montague to that of Buccleuch.

[11] According to local legend, stepping stones across the River Ribble near the town are the abode of an evil spirit, who drowns one traveller every seven years.

The residential area 'Whittle Close' in the town is named after Frank Whittle, being built over the site of the former jet engine test beds.

The town only has three Scheduled Ancient Monuments, Bellmanpark Lime kiln and embankment,[16] Edisford Bridge[17] and Clitheroe Castle.

The Conservatives won the seat back at the next general election, in 1950, and held it from then until 1983, when the constituency was abolished due to boundary changes.

[24] Historically, Dawsons green grocers was a significant player in the town retail fabric, circa late sixties and early seventies.

In September 2008, Booths bought the site, and expanded their store, where it currently houses charity shop YMCA.

[30] 5 electoral wards cover the same area (Salthill, Littlemoor, Edisford and Low Moor, St Mary's and Primrose).

A former church at Lowergate was granted permission in December 2006 to become a multi faith centre, with a Muslim prayer room.

[34] His son Aurthur Ingram Robinson lived at the Castle after 1878, and inherited the Steward title too (see Honour of Clitheroe).

Clitheroe railway station is on the Ribble Valley line, providing hourly passenger services to Blackburn, Manchester Victoria and Rochdale; the route is operated by Northern Trains.

[41] In August 2005, a cycle race, the Clitheroe Grand Prix, took place in the town, with Russell Downing finishing ahead of Chris Newton.

[42] In August 2006, Ben Greenwood won, with Ian Wilkinson second,[43] but in April 2007, the council decided not to support another event, citing poor attendance.

[45] Public sports facilities are available at Edisford, with the Ribblesdale Pool and Clitheroe Tennis Centre located there, along with a number of football pitches and netball courts.

[46] The site is shared with the Roefield Leisure Centre, developed and operated by a registered charity whose supporters began fund-raising in 1985.

[47] In April 2006, Clitheroe Skatepark officially opened in the Castle grounds, built and funded by the Lancaster Foundation charitable trust.

[48] In June 2016, Clitheroe-raised mixed martial artist, Michael Bisping, won the UFC Middleweight Championship, by defeating Luke Rockhold by way of knockout in the first round of the fight.

[50] Clitheroe has hosted the Ribble Valley Jazz and Blues Fest since making a return in 2010 after more than 40 years.

Lancashire's top professional chefs, the town's retailers, groups and volunteer organisations also take part.

[53] The town is served by the local newspapers, Burnley Express (formerly The Clitheroe Advertiser & Times) and Lancashire Telegraph.