Chipping, ENG - Postcode - PR3 2NP

Description of Chipping, Lancashire

Chipping, a village and civil parish in Ribble Valley, Lancashire, England, is located in the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Approximately 1,046 people called the parish home as of the 2001 census, with that number dropping to 1,043 in 2011. Throughout the years, this small community in Lancashire has triumphed as the best-kept in the region. Furthermore, in 2009, the village took first place in the RHS Britain in Bloom competition for villages, earning it the RHS Tourism Award and the RHS Gold Achievement Award.

History of Chipping

The village was mentioned in Domesday, so its age is established as at least a thousand years old. It borders the Bowland-with-Leagram civil parish to the south-west and is part of the ancient Forest of Bowland. The mediaeval deer park at Leagram Park in the Forest is only a short drive from the town. Chipping, despite its manor, was not included in the mighty Lordship of Bowland, nor was it a part of the ancient Forest.

During the height of Chipping's prosperity during the Industrial Revolution, seven mills sprang up along Chipping Brook. Kirk Mill, HJ Berry's chair-making factory, lasted until the company went bankrupt in 2010 and the factory closed. On March 7, 2011, 53N Bowland Ltd. purchased the works.

Geographical description of Chipping

Access agreements negotiated by Lancashire County Council with the owners of the Forest of Bowland have made the areas of Clougha, Fair Snape, Wolf Fell, and Saddle Fell available to the public. Due to this, over 3,260 acres (13.2 km2) of previously inaccessible open land is now available for hikers to enjoy.

Cultural and amenities

Chipping is home to its own regional historical society.

The Chipping Agricultural Show has been entertaining locals and visitors since 1920. Classes for sheep, cattle, light horses, ponies, and shire horses are included in the show, along with sections for poultry, pigeons, and eggs to honour all aspects of rural life. There's a huge horticultural section, a kids' area, a dog area, and a baby area, not to mention competitions for cheeses, handicrafts, cakes, and preserves.

Chipping Steam Fair has been an annual tradition since it was first held in 1998 to raise money for a new Village Hall. Over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend in May, the fair now typically sees around 20,000 attendees and over 500 vendors.

Bowland Forest Gliding Club, GB-0339, is located just west of the village, about a mile away. It is used by winch-launched gliders.

There are three pubs in the little town. Windy Street and Garstang Lane are where you'll find The Sun, while Talbot Street is where you'll find The Tillotson's Arms. Also located on Talbot Street, the Talbot Arms has temporarily closed for renovations. Lizzie Dean, a scullery maid who worked at The Sun and committed suicide by hanging herself in the attic on November 5, 1835, is said to haunt the premises. Her grave can be found just inside the church's main gate. The Gibbon Bridge Hotel can be found in the area as well.

Since their renovation in 2009, the village's environmentally friendly public restrooms have won the county's Best Kept Village competition every year.