Extending across the valley of the lower Ribble, the area has a delightfully open landscape, rich in history, which offers something for everyone to enjoy. Visit Worden Park and Worden Arts and Crafts Centre in Leyland, or call in at the nearby South Ribble Museum & Exhibition Centre or the British Commercial Vehicle Museum with steam wagons to present day transport.

West of Leyland you will find Longton Brickcroft Nature Reserve and to the east lies Samlesbury Hall, an impressive ancient manor house. Discover all this and more. It is likely that the area south of the Ribble has been inhabited since the Iron Age. Bronze axe head finds, including those at Walton-le-Dale, suggest the existence of an important site in the locality at that time.

From the time of the Dark Ages, the Cuerdale Hoard was discovered near Cuerdale Hall. This was a timber chest containing over 7,000 Viking, Saxon, Arab and Byzantine coins from about 900AD. Some of the coins can be seen in the Harris Museum in Preston. During more recent times, the river crossing at Walton-le-Dale was the scene of considerable activity during the Civil War and a fierce engagement took place by the river Darwen.

It is said that prior to the battle, Cromwell may have lodged at the Unicorn Inn in Walton-le-Dale.

Whether you're interested in nature, arts, crafts, history or recreation South Ribble has something to offer.