Roman village Ribchester in Lancashire – history and food

You might be wondering what you can do and see in Ribchester or where you can go for a bite to eat.

Recently, a restaurant in the village was described as the “cutest little lunch spot in the world” by a customer.

From its history to the must-visit spots, here’s what the village has to offer.

History of Ribchester

Ribchester Village Hall’s website explains: “The Village of Ribchester with the outlying hamlet of Stydd is situated in the picturesque Ribble Valley in the heart of rural Lancashire.

“Ribchester grew out of the ruins of the Roman fort of Bremetennacum Veteranorum, which comprised a fort and civilian settlement. The earliest Roman fort in Ribchester was established in the early 70s AD as part of a network of defensive forts across northern Britannia.

“The Parish Church of Saint Wilfrid, and the Village Hall itself, stand where the principal buildings of the fort would have been. The church, for the most part, dates from the 13th Century.

“Always a farming community the Village grew significantly in the 17th and 18th Centuries through the expansion of the Lancashire cotton industry. Around the village can still be found many of the cottages used by the handloom weavers in the early part of the 17th Century – particularly in Church Street – but the weaving industry has all but gone.

“Ribchester is still a busy place although most of its population work in the nearby city of Preston or the town of Blackburn.”

Amenities in Ribchester

Ribchester, located alongside the River Ribble, is home to eateries, including a cafe and a pub.

You can also visit Roman Baths Ribchester or Ribchester Roman Museum to learn more about the village’s history.

Food and drink in Ribchester

There are a few places you can stop for food and drink in Ribchester, including Potters Barn Cafe and the Ribchester Arms.

Potters Barn has a 4.5-star rating on Tripadvisor from 199 reviews with one customer saying: “Glad I booked a table as it was getting pretty busy even at 10am. Delicious brunch and wished that I could have stayed for lunch as specials menu looked delicious.”

This customer enjoyed breakfast at the cafe: “Treated myself to breakfast and this cafe was well worth the visit great value and delicious. Dog friendly as well. Going back again for lunch as menu looked appetising.

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“Staff extremely friendly and great customer service. Open at 9.30am and it was getting busy with customers coming in for hot drinks and cake”.

Another shared that you can combine a stop at the cafe with pottery painting: “We enjoyed a lovely homemade lunch here, sat out in the garden. Great service, tasty food and good coffee.

“The pot painting area looked great and fancy booking when we are in the area again. Lovely gift shop. The cakes looked delicious too but we were full!! Next time.”