Platform Gallery and Visitor Information Centre

The Platform Gallery sits right in Clitheroe town centre and pulls double duty as both a contemporary art space and the visitor information hub for the area. It's the sort of place that catches you by surprise - you wander in expecting the usual tourist leaflets and postcards, but instead find yourself in front of actual exhibitions showcasing local and regional artists. The gallery itself occupies a converted railway platform building, which gives it a quirky industrial edge that works rather well.

You'll get the most from this if you're the type who likes to browse at leisure rather than tick boxes. Art enthusiasts will appreciate the rotating exhibitions, though be honest with yourself: this isn't a major contemporary collection. History buffs and rail enthusiasts get a kick out of the heritage aspect. Families with younger kids might spend twenty minutes here before moving on - it's not designed to keep them entertained for hours.

Admission details aren't readily available online, so ring ahead or pop in when you're in town. Allow forty minutes to an hour, longer if you're genuinely interested in what's on display. Timing-wise, weekday mornings tend to be quieter.

If you're camped at Clitheroe Camping and Caravanning Club Site or nearby parks like Cross Lane Caravan Park, this makes a decent rainy-day stop or a way to break up an afternoon. It's useful for picking up proper local information too - the visitor centre bit actually knows its stuff about walks and attractions in Ribble Valley.