Confluence of the Rivers Calder and Ribble

This is the confluence of two of Lancashire's great rivers, the Ribble and the Calder. From here, the Ribble flows out to the Irish Sea at the Ribble Estuary beyond Preston. The estuary is of international importance for over-wintering birds.

You can follow the Ribble to its dramatically situated source at Ribblehead, close to the eponymous viaduct, by hiking the Ribble Way, which passes by this spot. The Calder's source is on the moors above Burnley, not far from the source of the Irwell and West Yorkshire's own River Calder.

A ferry once operated near this spot and may have been the inspiration for Bucklebury Ferry in JRR Tolkien's 'The Fellowship of the Ring'. Tolkien regularly stayed at nearby Stonyhurst Cottage while he was working on his epic Lord of the Rings saga and there are many links between this part of the Ribble Valley and locations in the Shire.

Look for Goosanders in winter months

This is the Calder joining the Ribble.