The Ribble has provided a few surprises for me while preparing for the Challenge.
I have always believed it to be a Lancashire river. However I now know that Yorkshire's so called three peaks - Whernside, Ingleborough and Pen-y-ghent in the Pennines - encircle the head of the valley of the River Ribble. What's more it is the only major river in Yorkshire which flows westward.
The Ribble was known in Roman times as Belisama a goddess worshipped in Gaul. Although her presence in Britain is disputed the name means the 'brightest one.'
The 75 mile long Ribble flows through the Yorkshire village of Giggleswick, famous for its school and the town of Settle before passing through Lancashire's Clitheroe, Ribchester and Preston. It enters the Irish Sea on England's west coast between Lytham St Annes and Southport.
I have always believed it to be a Lancashire river. However I now know that Yorkshire's so called three peaks - Whernside, Ingleborough and Pen-y-ghent in the Pennines - encircle the head of the valley of the River Ribble. What's more it is the only major river in Yorkshire which flows westward.
The Ribble was known in Roman times as Belisama a goddess worshipped in Gaul. Although her presence in Britain is disputed the name means the 'brightest one.'
The 75 mile long Ribble flows through the Yorkshire village of Giggleswick, famous for its school and the town of Settle before passing through Lancashire's Clitheroe, Ribchester and Preston. It enters the Irish Sea on England's west coast between Lytham St Annes and Southport.
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| River Ribble downstream of Mitton Bridge, Lancashire |
For those with an energetic disposition you may want to walk the 73 mile long Ribble Way from its mouth to the source. You may be more pleased to know that the walk is split into seven 10 mile long stages.
These days I'd rather admire the other West Yorkshire, River Ribble.
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| River Ribble above Swan Bank, Holmfirth |
This must be one of England's shortest rivers - it's only c3 km long.
I enjoy seeing it regularly on TV in the reruns of the old comedy series Last of the Summer Wine.
Photo attributions:
- River Ribble downsteam of Mitton Bridge: 26 April 2007 ex geograph.org,uk by Alexander P Kapp - CC BY-SA 2.0 licence
- River Ribble above Swan Bank: 5 November 2009 ex geograph.org,uk by Humphrey Bolton - CC BY-SA 2.0 licence
4 comments:
The last picture reminds me of streams in the mountains of Virginia.
The second one seems like it would make a lovely sound as it rushes by.
Hi Bob - fascinating snippets of the Rivers Ribble ... oh I do love those British rivers ... just beautiful. Giggleswick ... just love that name - cheers Hilary
I have seen the second Ribble because I have watched that TV programme. Didn't know it's name of course.
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