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Owning a static caravan in the Lancashire Dales: a guide

The Lancashire Dales cover the Ribble Valley, the Forest of Bowland and the countryside around Pendle Hill, an area of fells, rivers and stone villages. Holiday parks here are rural and quiet, within around an hour of Manchester and Preston.

Green fells and a river valley in the Ribble Valley with static caravans on a countryside park
Illustrative image of the Lancashire Dales
See parks in the Lancashire Dales

Figures update from live listings. Guide last reviewed 2 October 2026.

Things to do in the Lancashire Dales

Days out, walks and places to visit within reach of the holiday parks in the Lancashire Dales.

A coastal footpath through heather and gorse along a clifftop

Walks and outdoors

Forest of Bowland

North-east Lancashire

A National Landscape of open fells, with walks from Slaidburn and Dunsop Bridge.

Pendle Hill

Near Clitheroe

A hill with walks to the summit, linked with the story of the Pendle witches of 1612.

Gisburn Forest

Near Slaidburn

A forest with walking and mountain bike trails.

Ribble Way

Ribble Valley

A long-distance path following the River Ribble.

A ruined stone castle on a green hill with sheep grazing below

Heritage

Clitheroe Castle

Clitheroe

A small Norman keep on a hill, with a museum.

Whalley Abbey

Whalley

Ruins of a medieval abbey in the village.

Fish and chips and a pot of crab on a harbour wall, with boats behind

Food and drink

Ribble Valley food

Ribble Valley

Local cheeses, pubs and farm shops are found across the valley.

A harbour seen through a rain-covered cafe window, with a cup of coffee on the sill

Rainy days

Clitheroe Castle Museum

Clitheroe

A museum of the area's history and geology.

Where to look in the Lancashire Dales

The main areas, and how they differ for owners.

A small Norman castle keep on a hill above a market town

The Ribble Valley

Clitheroe, Whalley, Ribchester

Market towns and riverside villages.

Open heather fells and a small stone village in a valley

Forest of Bowland

Slaidburn, Dunsop Bridge, Chipping

Open fells and remote villages.

A broad flat-topped hill above stone villages and green fields

Pendle

Barley, Downham, Barnoldswick

The hill and the villages around it.

Getting to the Lancashire Dales

Typical journey times. They vary with traffic and where in the county you are going.
FromBy roadBy rail
ManchesterAround 1 hour, via the M66 and A56 or the M61 and A59Direct trains to Clitheroe, around 1 hr 15 min
PrestonAround 30 to 45 min, via the A59Trains via Blackburn, around 45 min
LeedsAround 1 hr 15 min, via the A59 or M65Trains via Manchester or Blackburn, around 2 hours

The A59 is the main road through the Ribble Valley, with narrow lanes into the Forest of Bowland.

Questions about owning a caravan in the Lancashire Dales

When is the best time to visit the Lancashire Dales?

July and August are the busiest months, with the school holidays and the warmest weather. May, June and September usually have long days and fewer visitors. Most parks are open from spring to autumn, and the year chart on this page shows how many are open each month.

How long does it take to drive to the Ribble Valley from Manchester?

Usually around an hour, via the M66 and A56 or the M61 and A59.

Which part of the Lancashire Dales should I look at?

The Ribble Valley has the market towns, the Forest of Bowland is more remote, and Pendle suits hill walking.

Can I let my static caravan in the Lancashire Dales?

Some parks run letting schemes, some allow private letting with conditions, and some do not allow letting. It depends on the park, so check the park rules and pitch licence before you buy.

How much are site fees in the Lancashire Dales?

Site fees vary between parks with location, facilities, season length and pitch. Each park can give you a written breakdown of its current fees and what they include.

Further reading

Holiday homes for sale in the Lancashire Dales

See the parks in the Lancashire Dales and what they offer.

See caravans for sale

This guide is for information only and is not financial or investment advice. Static caravans depreciate over time and should not be bought expecting capital growth or a financial return.