A mission to find the ultimate walking boots gives Deb Bridges the perfect excuse for a few days in Lancashire’s glorious Ribble Valley
Shireburn Arms
Over the years, I’ve wondered if there’s such a thing as the perfect walking boot. Tired of discomfort and/or wet feet, I decided a drive of some six hours from Devon to Lancashire might be a worthwhile exercise, in order to visit Whalley Warm & Dry, a family run, award-winning outdoor footwear and clothing specialist who offer a boot-fitting and customisation service. As the shop is situated in the beautiful Ribble Valley, Mike and I decided to make a short break of it and booked ourselves and our dog, Ula, into the Shireburn Arms for three nights. It was early March, always a good time for a getaway and particularly so after the prolonged wet start for which 2026 may well be remembered. From the M6 motorway, it’s only about a 20-minute drive to the small village of Hurst Green, where the Shireburn Arms is conveniently located. First impressions on entering the inn is one of warmth and cosiness. There’s a flagstoned floor, dark beams in the low ceilings and two blazing fires, all of which speak of the building’s 300-year history. The bar and dining areas are a series of quirkily furnished rooms, featuring beaten-up tables with an eclectic collection of mismatched chairs and plenty of comfy cushions. Outside, there’s a terraced area at the back of the building, with far-reaching views of the countryside. As we’d already checked in online, we were quickly installed in our room. Situated at the front, Room 4 is large and airy, with all the usual comforts, such as tea and coffee-making facilities and, best of all, a lovely chaise longue at the end of the bed. The decor is predominantly a restful beige with soft mushroom walls and nice pops of teal and mustardy yellow in the cushions and throw which adorn the bed. Adjacent to our door is another door which leads to the road outside, very convenient for Ula’s early morning and late night sorties, although anyone with a barky dog who might be set off by passing people and traffic may prefer a quieter room at the back.
Bar and Dinning Area
Next morning dawned bright and sunny and we were all suitably fuelled up with a substantial breakfast, including Ula who was delighted to be offered a sausage. First things first, we headed to Whalley (pronounced war-lee) for my 10am boot-fitting appointment. One hour later, I was the proud owner of a pair of boots that had been expertly selected to suit my feet and tweaked with a bit of targeted stretching which, along with a pair of insoles, had produced the perfect fit. Unexpectedly, I also found myself clutching a handful of Walks with Taste leaflets, each of which described a walk devised to take in a local eatery. After a quick trip to Clitheroe, where we found the castle closed and swathed in white sheeting, we drove the short distance to Ribchester. The lovely Potters Barn was a good choice for bit of lunch, before setting off to follow a three-mile route which took in the remains of a Roman Bath House and offered magnificent views of Pendle Hill. Aside from having trouble getting Ula past a couple of difficult stiles, it was an excellent walk. We’d noticed the Tolkien Trail passed the Shireburn Arms so, next day, we walked through the village to join the six-mile route by the entrance to Stonyhurst College, which has a number of famous alumni, including Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Tolkien also lived at the college for a while and the surrounding countryside is said to have influenced the landscape of The Lord of the Rings.
Bedroom in the Shirearms
The paths were good and there were no nasty stiles. There’s a fair stretch along the river and we passed Cromwell’s Bridge,a surprisingly narrow packhorse bridge which Oliver Cromwell’s 800-strong army is reputed to have crossed in 1648. With our walk completed, we drove to nearby Sawley and, after a bowl of soup at the Spread Eagle, wandered down the road to view the remains of Sawley Abbey. Luckily, we had enough of a mobile signal to look up some facts about the site, as the information boards looked as old as the abbey itself and were all worn away. We would certainly return to the Shireburn Arms. While there are probably lots of places offering a similar degree of comfort and good food, we felt the friendliness of the staff set it apart. Dogs are made incredibly welcome and few areas are out of bounds. And as for Whalley Warm & Dry? I wouldn’t buy walking boots anywhere else.
Sawley Abbey
Fact File
Property – Shireburn Arms, Whalley Road, Hurst Green, Clitheroe, BB7 9QJ
Contact – 01254 825678
Price – A double room is £71 to £96 per night depending on the size of the room, plus £15 per night per dog (although we were kindly charged just £30 for the three nights)
Website – jamesplaces.con/shireburn-arms
