Warm & welcoming
Our history
About Our Hotel
“I first came to the Ribble Valley in 1988 as an Area Manger with Beverly Hotels London Limited. I was on the lookout for further acquisitions for the company and had heard of the Foxfields – a very prestigious restaurant and single function room set in the glorious Ribble Valley with breath taking views! I was so impressed that I recommended that the company buy it. They built 28 suited bedrooms (each with their own sitting room), extended the function room and increased the size of the restaurant. Subsequently, the company was sold and during the following years, the new owners built a further 16 club rooms with dressing rooms and a leisure club equipped with a small gymnasium, steam room, sauna and swimming pool.
As you can imagine, when I heard the Foxfields Country Hotel was for sale I jumped at the chance to put the love and excitement back into the building. Luckily, my enthusiasm was well supported by my wife, Jean, who has also gained vast experience in hotels by running our own local hotel for nine years (which we sold in 2007) and working as a course director for teaching front office systems and sales at a large college in the South of England. Fortunately, our son, David, was also keen to be involved as General Manager. He is dedicated to hotels and restaurants as since leaving university he has worked successfully in managerial positions at local establishments including Mitton Hall, The Pines Hotel at Chorley and the AJ Bell Stadium in Salford, developing a wealth of experience from these positions.”
Charles Haigh, Hotel Director
Relax and enjoy
Health Club
Why not relax and enjoy our fantastic leisure facilities here on offer at the Foxfields Country Hotel. Unwind and take full advantage of our 20 meter pool, sauna, steam room and mini gym.
View our price list or if you have any questions please get in touch.
Contact Us
Welcome to the Ribble Valley
The Local Area
Award winning
Whalley
Whalley is just a short trip from Foxfields, and is easily accessible from the hotel by car, bus, train or foot. The village was ranked in the Sunday Times’ Top 50 Places to Live in Britain in 2016. The award recognized Whalley’s strong reputation for its independent retailers, which today includes gift shops, a florist, a jeweller’s, men’s and ladies outfitters and a very highly regarded wine shop in the centre of the village. Whalley Abbey is also a popular draw for the area, with ruins that date back to the 14th century. Annually, in December, Whalley hosts Pickwick Night which attracts several thousand visitors per annum. Pickwick Night has been running in Whalley since the 1980’s, driven by a core group of local volunteers. During the event, individuals dress up in Victorian costume in order to raise money for charity to be reinvested in the local community. The event is named after the Charles Dickens novel, The Pickwick Papers.
Rural scenic village
Downham
The village of Downham lies three miles from Clitheroe. The Assheton family have resided in the manor house at Downham since 1558, and they retain responsibility for all the properties in the village. Well-protected and unspoilt, Downham has proved to be a back drop popular with film makers. Possibly most notably, one of the early shots from the film adaptation of Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights was filmed in Downham. Other films created there include Whistle Down the Wind. The village has also featured in several TV programmes and was used extensively in Born and Bred. Downham is also a good location for walkers.
Outstanding natural beauty
Forest of Bowland
Covering 312 square miles in Lancashire and across the Yorkshire border, the Forest of Bowland has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty since 1964. There are many walking routes across the region. With a population of only 16,000, locals reside in historic villages or isolated hamlets across the area.
One of the villages of note is Dunsop Bridge, the geographic centre of Great Britain, which is part of the Duchy of Lancaster estate. The village is well equipped for visitors, with the local café, Puddleducks, being a great place to stop for a cup of tea or a sandwich on your journey. In 1992, Sir Ranulph Fiennes unveiled a commemorative phone box in the village, marking BT’s 100,000th payphone.
Hit the course
Local Golf Courses
During your visit to Foxfields, the local area is perfectly equipped to cater to your golfing preferences. There are two clubs within close proximity of the hotel who are very happy to accommodate our guests. Whalley Golf Club (www.whalleygolfclub.com), a beautiful nine hole course, is a short five minute drive away. Likewise, Wilpshire Golf Club (www.wilpshiregolfclub.co.uk) is equally accessible, and is noted for having been designed by renowned Scottish golfer and course architect James Braid. We can be flexible to suit you.
Our packages include a three-course dinner, accommodation in one of our Superior Suites, a Full English Breakfast and two rounds of golf, either on the same course or one round on each (tee times will be checked on booking stage). We can tailor make the package around the individual’s needs and requirements, please call for price.
British museum
Roman Museum
Located on the banks of the River Ribble, Ribchester is a village and civil parish in the Ribble Valley, a short ten minute drive from Foxfields. Ribchester is possibly best noted as the site of a significant Roman fort, and the home of the Ribchester Roman Museum. The museum is open to the public all year. The museum re-opened in 2001 following an extensive and ambitious redevelopment, with the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund and the European Union. Within the museum, a replica of the famous Ribchester Helmet is on display. The original helmet is housed in the British Museum, and was back on display in Ribchester as part of their centenary year in 2014. When venturing further into the village, you will find the ruins of the Roman Baths behind the White Bull pub.
Feel the history
Clitheroe Castle
Located on the top of Castle Hill, Clitheroe Castle is one of the Ribble Valley’s most popular historical landmarks. The castle was built in 1186 by Robert de Lacy, and has been owned by the people of Clitheroe by subscription since 1920. The Museum re-opened in 2009 following a major restoration of the Keep and now takes visitors all year round.
Surrounded by 16 acres of parkland, the grounds of the castle contain a variety of facilities including an extensive children’s playground, a bandstand, a bowling green and the community rose garden. The grounds of the castle remain very central to the local community, with events including the Clitheroe Community Bonfire and Fireworks Display being held there on an annual basis.
Beautiful architecture
Stonyhurst College
Stonyhurst College is a public school of the Jesuit tradition located in Hurst Green, near Clitheroe. On a seasonal basis, the school does allow groups of visitors to book places on tours of the historic site, to view the chapels and the historic rooms. Within the Great Hall, visitors will see the table upon which Cromwell reportedly slept on the eve of the Battle of Preston in 1648. Notably, having been inspired by the local landscape, R. R. Tolkien wrote part of The Lord of the Rings at the school whilst visiting his son who was studying for a priesthood there. Today, the Tolkien Trail allows visitors to explore the landscape around the college and the surrounding areas.
We’ve got you covered
Our Facilities
200 Wedding Day GuestsLicensed Civil Ceremony44 Bedrooms28 Spacious SuitesBridal SuiteBridesmaid’s RoomGroom’s RoomFamily RoomsCots AvailableRoom ServicePet FriendlyFree WifiFree ParkingIndoor PoolRestaurantVegetarian OptionsVegan OptionsConference FacilitiesSaunaGymBalcony Rooms