Lancashire’s classy medieval village with a traditional coaching inn that’s the jewel in its crown

Bolton-by-Bowland is known fondly as the ‘Jewel in the Ribble Valley’. And we found its brilliance did shine like a gem stone, but not in a flashy and brash way like a priceless Kohinoor.

This village is all composure and class, like a cluster of tiny but perfectly-formed diamonds, just happily twinkling in the light. And the centre of its subtle sparkle is The Coach and Horses pub.

The traditional inn, which dates back to the start of the previous century and was formerly known as The Windmill, is at the heart of village life. Its pumpkin coach logo is both adorable and eye-catching but despite a hint of magic in the air, there was no sign of a fairy godmother.

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This beautiful building features seven boutique bedrooms, all individually designed with two suitable for families and a couple also dog-friendly. With dinner and breakfast in the two AA-Rosette pub, it’s the ideal spot for a fulfilling country escape.

Bolton-by-Bowland is a beacon for walkers and cyclists taking on adventures through the Ribble Valley countryside and Gisburn Forest and of course Forest of Bowland (AONB). Visitors can absorb the rich, colourful and textured sights and natural sounds on offer.

They could be wildlife such as deer to stone cottages and white picket fences, which are a signature feature in rural villages in this corner of Lancashire.

The village itself is a little pocket of sunshine and worth strolling through to take a closer look at the green with original stocks and ivy-laced homes. It’s so picture-perfect, you may find it difficult to pass through without stopping to capture an image on your phone and for your memory box.

There’s even a little free car park and public toilets, if you do want to stick around or longer than it takes to snap a photo. Head over to the medieval St Peter and St Paul Church and be sure to catch a glimpse of Bolton Hall, which was home of the Pudsey Family for centuries.

King Henry the VI stayed with Sir Ralph Pudsey when he lost the Battle of Hexham in 1565, with the monarch later becoming a a pawn in the Wars of the Roses. Well of course, Bolton-by-Bowland is close to the Yorkshire border, after all.

Visit on a Sunday and you can experience Quintessential village life in the form of a game of cricket, with Bolton by Bowland Cricket Club, which has been around for more than four decades, taking on a local rival. Use the village as your base before heading out on the heritage trail or longer and more challenging 8.5-mile route around the surrounding villages and scenery, taking in Holden, Rodhill and Ouzel Hall Bridge.

Reward yourself afterwards with a drink and wholesome meal in the pub. It’s just the village to get a bit of verve back in your step.