The beautiful Rossendale Valley is made up of 4 main areas: Bacup, Haslingden, Rawtenstall and Whitworth and covers 54 square miles. Its industrial past, steeped in history, provides the backdrop for Bacup, recognised by English Heritage as the best preserved Mill town in England and Rawtenstall, home to the renowned Fitzpatrick's - famous for being Britain's last remaining Temperance Bar.

Set in the picturesque valley of the River Irwell, the area also enjoys excellent outdoor facilities including the Mary Towneley Loop, (a section of the Pennine Bridleway National Trail). The Rossendale Way and the superb Irwell Sculpture Trail (to be re-launched in 2011) offers varied walking conditions, as well as some fabulous attractions within the area.