View source for River Ribble

{{Short description|River in North Yorkshire and Lancashire, England}}
{{For|another river in Yorkshire|River Ribble, West Yorkshire}}
{{use British English|date=March 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2015}}
{{Infobox river
| name = River Ribble
| image = The River Ribble - geograph.org.uk - 3958976.jpg
| image_size = 250px
| image_caption = River Ribble at [[Preston, Lancashire|Preston]]
| custom_label = Conservation
| custom_data = [https://ribbletrust.org.uk Ribble Rivers Trust]
| source1_location = Confluence of Gayle Beck and Cam Beck, [[Selside, North Yorkshire|Selside]], [[Ribblehead]]
| mouth_location = [[Irish Sea]] at [[Lytham]]
| subdivision_type1 = Country
| subdivision_name1 = England
| length_mi = 75
| source1_elevation = {{convert|246|m|ft|abbr=on|order=flip}}
| discharge1_avg = 
| basin_size = 
| subdivision_type2 = County
| subdivision_name2 = {{plainlist|
* Lancashire
* North Yorkshire
  }}
}}

The '''River Ribble''' runs through [[North Yorkshire]] and [[Lancashire]] in [[Northern England]]. It starts close to the [[Ribblehead Viaduct]] in North Yorkshire, and is one of the few that start in the [[Yorkshire Dales]] and flow westwards towards the [[Irish Sea]] (the [[River Dee, Cumbria|Dee]] in [[Dentdale]] and the [[River Twiss|Twiss]] in [[Kingsdale]] being notable others).

==Etymology==
The name ''Ribble'' may be a [[Common Brittonic|Brittonic]] compound-formation.<ref name="bliton">{{cite web |last1=James |first1=Alan |title=A Guide to the Place-Name Evidence |url=https://spns.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Alan_James_Brittonic_Language_in_the_Old_North_BLITON_Volume_II_Dictionary_2019_Edition.pdf |website=SPNS – The Brittonic Language in the Old North |access-date=13 October 2019}}</ref> The second element is the noun ''*pol'', with connotations including "puddle, pond, upland-stream" ([[Welsh language|Welsh]] ''pwll'').<ref name="bliton" /> The first is ''rö-'', an intensive prefix, with nouns meaning "great" (Welsh ''rhy-'', [[Cornish language|Cornish]] re-).<ref name="bliton" />

Ribble may once have been known as ''*Bremetonā-'', underlying the name ''Bremetenacum'', the Roman fort at [[Ribchester]].<ref name="bliton" /> Involved here is the Brittonic root ''*breμ–'', meaning "roaring" (cf. Welsh ''brefu''),<ref name="bliton" /> as observed at the river-names [[River Breamish|Breamish]] in [[Northumberland]],<ref name="bliton" /> [[River Braan|Braan]] in Scotland and [[Llanddewi Brefi|Brefi]] in Wales.<ref name="bliton" />

==History==
[[Neolithic Britain|Neolithic]] to [[Saxon Britain|Saxon]] finds from along the River Ribble during the creation of the [[Preston Dock]]s and others revealed man has been in the area for a long time. The River Ribble looked completely different then and the coastline is likely to have been much further inland than it is at present where land has been reclaimed and the marsh extended out into the River Ribble due to sedimentation.

The Ribble would appear to have been known in [[Roman Empire|Roman]] times as the [[Belisama]],<ref>Hutton, p. 218</ref> possibly giving its name to [[Samlesbury]]. [[Ptolemy]]'s "''Belisama aest.''" seems to represent the estuary of the Ribble. [[Bremetennacum]] was a Roman fort that guarded a crossing-point of the river at [[Ribchester]]. Remains of another Roman site were discovered at [[Walton-le-Dale]] in the mid-19th century.

The [[Cuerdale Hoard]], the largest [[Viking]] silver hoard ever found outside [[Russia]] was discovered in 1840 on the southern bank of a bend of the river, at [[Cuerdale]] near Preston.<ref>{{HERR|mnumber=42457}}</ref> Whilst the medieval silver [[Mitton Hoard]] was found near where this river joins the [[River Hodder]] in 2009.<ref name=find>[https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/468093 Coin hoard BM-193206], Finds.org.uk, Retrieved 16 September 2015</ref>

At one time the Ribble marked the northernmost extent of the ancient kingdom of [[Mercia]].<ref name=factsheet>{{cite web|url=http://merseybasin.org.uk/archive/assets/6/original/RIVER_RIBBLE_FACTSHEET.pdf|title=River Ribble Factsheet (pdf file)|publisher= Mersey Basin Campaign Official Website|access-date=15 August 2015}}</ref> At the time of the [[Domesday Book]], the river formed the northern boundary of an area of land (known as ''Inter Ripam et Mersam'') that was included in the Domesday information for [[Cheshire]],<ref>Morgan (1978);  pp. 269c–301c, d.</ref> though it was probably not formally part of the county of Cheshire.<ref>Harris and Thacker (1987). write on page 252: {{blockquote|Certainly there were links between Cheshire and south Lancashire before 1000, when [[Wulfric Spot]] held lands in both territories. Wulfric's estates remained grouped together after his death, when they were left to his brother [[Ælfhelm of York|Aelfhelm]], and indeed there still seems to have been some kind of connexion in 1086, when south Lancashire was surveyed together with Cheshire by the Domesday commissioners. Nevertheless, the two territories do seem to have been distinguished from one another in some way and it is not certain that the [[Shire court|shire-moot]] and the [[Reeve (England)|reeves]] referred to in the south Lancashire section of Domesday were the Cheshire ones.}}</ref><ref>Phillips and Phillips (2002). pp. 26–31.</ref><ref>Crosby, A. (1996). writes on page  31: {{blockquote|The Domesday Survey (1086) included south Lancashire with Cheshire for convenience, but the Mersey, the name of which means 'boundary river' is known to have divided the kingdoms of Northumbria and Mercia and there is no doubt that this was the real boundary.}}</ref>

[[Sawley Abbey]] was founded by [[Cistercians|Cistercian monks]] in 1147, at a bend in the river. It is thought that the monks built a [[weir]] to supply a [[mill race]] that powered a [[corn mill]] within the abbey precinct.<ref>{{citation |author=Abby Hunt |title=Sawley Abbey, Sawley, Lancashire: a Cistercian monastic precinct and post-medieval landscape. Survey Report |url=https://historicengland.org.uk/research/results/reports/8493/SawleyAbbeySawleyLancashire_aCistercianMonasticPrecinctandPost-MedievalLandscapeSurveyReport |year=2005 |publisher=English Heritage |page=35}}</ref>

[[File:Weir at Waddow Hall on the River Ribble - geograph.org.uk - 2224722.jpg|thumb|Brungerley Weir near Waddow Hall.]]
After his defeat in the [[Battle of Hexham]] in 1464 (during the [[Wars of the Roses]]), [[Henry VI of England|King Henry VI]] went into hiding at a number of houses belonging to his supporters. A little over a year later he was at Waddington Hall in [[Waddington, Lancashire|Waddington]]. On 13 July 1465, a group of Yorkists, including the property-owner's brother, arrived at the hall to arrest him. Escaping into nearby woods, Henry was captured soon after crossing the river at the old [[stepping stones]] at Brungerley.<ref>{{cite book |last=Abram |first= William Alexander |title= Parish of Blackburn, County of Lancaster: A History of Blackburn, Town and Parish |url=https://archive.org/details/parishofblackbur00abrarich |year=1877 |location=Blackburn |publisher=J. G. & J. Toulmin |page=57 |access-date=3 October 2021}}</ref>

Around 1785, a large [[weir]] was constructed across the river, slightly downstream at [[Waddow Hall]], to supply water to a [[cotton mill]] at [[Low Moor, Lancashire|Low Moor]]. The site relied on water power right up to closure around 1930, although the [[water wheel]]s gradually gave way to [[water turbine]]s and were augmented by [[steam engine]]s.<ref>{{Cite journal|author=Owen Ashmore |title=Low Moor, Clitheroe: A Nineteenth-Century Factory Community |journal=Transactions of the Lancashire and Cheshire Antiquarian Society |location=Manchester |volume=73-74 |year=1963–1964 |pages=125–128, 132–133, 138}}</ref>

During 2009, an [[Archimedean screw]] type [[hydropower station]] was constructed at Settle weir near Bridge End Mill. Built for a community-owned company, [[Settle Hydro]], the site became operational by the end of the year. As of February 2024, the generator has produced 1.2 million kWh of electricity.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.settlehydro.org.uk/ |title=Settle Hydro - A pioneering, community-owned, hydroelectric scheme |publisher=Settle Hydro Limited}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Stainforth Force - geograph.org.uk - 433067.jpg|thumb|[[Stainforth Force]]]]
[[File:River Ribble bore.jpg|thumb|alt=A tidal bore wave moves along the River Ribble between the entrance to the river Douglas and Preston.|[[Tidal bore]] on the Ribble, between the River Douglas and Preston]]
The Ribble begins at the [[confluence]] of the ''Gayle Beck'' and ''Batty Wife Beck'' near the [[Ribblehead Viaduct|viaduct]] at [[Ribblehead]], in the shadow of the [[Yorkshire three peaks]]. It is the only major river rising in Yorkshire which flows westward.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Chrystal|first1=Paul|title=The place names of Yorkshire; cities, towns, rivers and dales|date=2017|publisher=Stenlake|location=Catrine|isbn=9781840337532|page=104}}</ref> It flows through [[Settle, North Yorkshire|Settle]], [[Clitheroe]], [[Ribchester]] and [[Preston, Lancashire|Preston]], before emptying into the [[Irish Sea]] between [[Lytham St. Annes]] and [[Southport]], a length of {{convert|75|mi|km}}.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Clayton |first1=Phil |title=Headwaters: Walking to British River Sources |date=2012 |publisher=Frances Lincoln Limited |location=London |isbn=9780711233638 |page=157 |edition=First}}</ref> Its main tributaries are the [[River Hodder|Hodder]] and [[River Calder, Lancashire|Calder]] which join the river near Great Mitton, the [[River Darwen]] which joins at [[Walton-le-Dale]] and the [[River Douglas, Lancashire|River Douglas]] which joins near [[Hesketh Bank]].

Above [[Hellifield]] the valley of the river is known as [[Ribblesdale]].

The [[Ribble Way]] is a long-distance footpath which follows the river for much of its course. The river is connected to both the [[Leeds and Liverpool Canal]] and the [[Lancaster Canal]] (via the [[Ribble Link]]). The river downstream of Preston was actively dredged when Preston was an active port; this is no longer done and silt from the river is now spreading more widely over the (sand) beaches around [[Lytham#Fairhaven|Fairhaven]] and [[St. Annes]].

Its {{convert|10|mi|km|adj=mid|-wide}} estuary forms part of the [[Ribble and Alt Estuaries]] [[Special Protection Area]] for wildlife. An average of 340,000 water birds over-winter in the estuary making it the most important wetland site in Britain. The Ribble is also a key breeding ground for the endangered [[Atlantic salmon]].<ref name=factsheet/>

1.25 million people live in the Ribble's catchment area.<ref name=factsheet/>

The Normal Tidal Limit (NTL) of the river is at Fishwick Bottoms, between Preston and [[Walton-le-Dale]], {{convert|11|mi|0}} from the sea.<ref name=factsheet/>

The River Ribble has the third-largest tides in England, with tides that run at {{convert|4|kn|mph km/h|0}} and a tidal range at the mouth of the river of {{convert|9|m|order=flip}} during [[spring tide]]s. Since River Ribble dredging ceased, the estuary is filling with sand and is developing a meandering path, depending on the tides and river runoff. In addition, many tributaries flow into the main channel including the [[Savick Brook]]/Ribble Link, while the River Douglas, has a significant influence both on sediment transport and hydrodynamics of the estuary.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.srp-uk.org/srpcdrom/p8-4.doc|title=A Vertically Resolving Model Of Sediment And Radionuclide Transport For The Ribble Estuary|date=18 October 2007|access-date=2 April 2018|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071018024442/http://www.srp-uk.org/srpcdrom/p8-4.doc|archive-date=18 October 2007}}</ref>

==Crossings==
{{further|List of crossings of the River Ribble}}
There was a [[Edisford Bridge|bridge at Edisford]], [[Clitheroe]] in 1339. The age of the present [[sandstone]] bridge is not known, but parts contain features indicating they may date to the late medieval period.<ref>{{HERR|num=44715|desc=Edisford Bridge|accessdate=2 October 2021}}</ref> The current [[Ribchester Bridge]] dates from 1774. It replaced one built in 1669, which also had a predecessor of unknown age.<ref>{{HERR|num=43617|desc=|accessdate=2 October 2021}}</ref>

Evidence of a bridge between [[Preston, Lancashire|Preston]] and [[Walton-le-Dale]] occurs in a deed in the early 13th century. A stone bridge was built in the early 1400s, possibly just west of the present Walton Bridge which was completed in 1781. Until 1755 this was the only bridge over the Ribble at Preston.<ref>{{HERR|num=42467|desc=|accessdate=25 October 2021}}</ref> The original attempt to build a bridge directly to [[Penwortham]] was completed in 1755, only to collapse the following year. The [[Penwortham Old Bridge]] opened in 1759 to replace it.<ref>{{NHLE|num=1279848|desc=Old Penwortham Bridge|accessdate=25 October 2021|fewer-links=y}}</ref> In 1802 the [[Lancaster Canal|Lancaster Canal Company]] completed a timber [[trestle bridge]] to facilitate a temporary [[Tramway (industrial)|tramroad]] to connect the two isolated sections of the canal. The missing section was never completed and, although heavily modified, the disused [[Lancaster Canal Tramroad|Old Tramroad Bridge]] still stands today.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Faulkner |first1=Paul |title=REVEALED: The cost of replacing Preston's old tram bridge – and why there is no sign of it happening |url=https://www.lep.co.uk/news/politics/revealed-the-cost-of-replacing-prestons-old-tram-bridge-and-why-there-is-no-sign-of-it-happening-3141800 |access-date=2 October 2021 |work=Lancashire Evening Post |publisher=JPIMedia Publishing Ltd. |date=21 February 2021}}</ref>

===Ferries (historic)===
Several [[ferry]] crossings were marked along the lower part of the river, on the first [[Ordnance Survey]] map of Lancashire, published in the 1840s. The Hacking Ferry near [[Hacking Hall]] and Trowers Ferry near Dinckley Hall. Another, downstream of Osbaldeston Hall and the Balderstone Hall Ferry. Also at [[Church of St Leonard the Less, Samlesbury|Samlesbury Church]] as well as an old boat house, upstream of Penwortham Old Bridge.<ref>{{Cite map |publisher=[[Ordnance Survey]] |title=Lancashire and Furness |series=County Series |scale=1:10,560 |edition=1st |year=1848}}</ref>

It is uncertain when these services began. A 1354 [[charter]] assigned some land for the use of the ferryman near Ribchester, possibly referring to the crossing near Osbaldeston Hall.<ref>{{cite book|last=Whitaker |first=Thomas Dunham |title=An history of the original Parish of Whalley, and honor of Clitheroe... 4th ed. |date=1876 |publisher=George Routledge |volume=2 |url=https://archive.org/stream/historyoforigina02whit |oclc=697798990}}</ref> The Hacking Ferry seems to have been funded by the Shireburn family of [[Stonyhurst College|Stonyhurst]], and established during the 1600s. It continued operating as a regular toll service until 1938, but continued occasionally afterward until it finally ceased operation in 1955. In later years it operated two [[johnboat]]-type [[rowing boat]]s. The older boat could carry twelve passengers and a newer boat had a capacity of 19. The former is now in the collection at [[Clitheroe Castle Museum]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Jo Hayward | title=The long lost ferry boat that evokes happy memories of rural Lancashire |date=24 May 2018 |url=https://museumcrush.org/the-long-lost-ferry-boat-that-evokes-happy-memories-of-rural-lancashire/ |website=museumcrush.org}}</ref>

===Estuary crossing proposals===
[[File:04 Ribble estuary, Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, UK.jpg|thumb|Ribble estuary]]
A Ribble estuary fixed crossing has been proposed on several occasions, to provide a quicker route between the seaside resorts of [[Southport]] and [[Blackpool]]. Two routes for a tramroad were proposed; the first in 1899 outlined a route between [[Crossens]] and [[Lytham]], then between 1900 and 1906 as a route from Crossens to [[Warton, Fylde|Warton]] via [[Hesketh Bank]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.lythamstannes.news/news/plans-for-cross-ribble-links-from-lytham-to-southport-pity-they-are-more-than-a-century-old/|title=Plans For Cross Ribble Links From Lytham To Southport (Pity They Are More Than A Century Old!)|work=Lythamstannes.news|first=Callum|last=Naylor|date=4 August 2020|accessdate=18 March 2021}}</ref> A railway tunnel was proposed in 1907, between Hesketh Bank and Warton.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://amounderness.co.uk/ribble_tunnel_scheme_1907.html|title=Ribble Tunnel Scheme 1907|work=Lytham Times|date=22 March 1907|accessdate=18 March 2021}}</ref> A bridge was proposed between 1938 and 1947.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/92ecf421-3ff3-458b-b151-a8ddf36a1423|title=Proposed bridge over River Ribble estuary (including other schemes for crossing river)|work=The National Archives|accessdate=19 March 2021}}</ref> A road link was campaigned for in 2007, envisaging a development similar to the [[Rance Tidal Power Station]] in [[Brittany]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/news/1523565.a-bridge-too-far-for-lytham-link/|title=A bridge too far for Lytham link|work=The Westmoreland Gazette|first=Chris|last=Gee|date=5 July 2007|accessdate=18 March 2021}}</ref> In 2011, an [[April fools' joke]] suggested a {{convert|9|mi|km|adj=mid|-long}} road tunnel from [[Marshside, Merseyside|Marshside]] to [[Lytham St Annes]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=9154|title=Exclusive: Report recommends Ribble tunnel to link Southport and Blackpool|work=Champion|first=David|last=Sinister|date=1 April 2011|accessdate=18 March 2021|archive-date=28 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828022514/https://www.champnews.com/html/newsstory.asp?id=9154|url-status=usurped}}</ref>

==Ecology==
The River Ribble catchment is covered by the Ribble Rivers Trust, a UK based charity working to improve, protect and promote the River Ribble for both people and wildlife. The Ribble Estuary is an Internationally important [[Ramsar site|Ramsar Wetland site]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rsis.ramsar.org/ris/325|title=Ribble & Alt Estuaries &#124; Ramsar Sites Information Service|website=rsis.ramsar.org|accessdate=23 May 2023}}</ref> a [[Special Protection Area]] (SPA) under the [[Joint Nature Conservation Committee]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://jncc.gov.uk/our-work/list-of-spas/|title=List of UK SPAs|website=jncc.gov.uk|accessdate=23 May 2023}}</ref> a [[Marine Conservation Zone]] up to [[Samlesbury]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/marine-conservation-zones-ribble-estuary|title=Marine Conservation Zones: Ribble Estuary|website=GOV.UK|accessdate=23 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.livingseasnw.org.uk/conservation/marine-protected-areas/marine-conservation-zones/ribble-estuary|title=Ribble Estuary |work=Living Seas North West|accessdate=23 May 2023}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://www.southribble.gov.uk/article/2218/Biodiversity-in-South-Ribble|title=Biodiversity in South Ribble|website=South Ribble Borough Council|accessdate=23 May 2023}}</ref> [[Site of Special Scientific Interest]] (SSSI),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/6272061418766336|title=Ribble Estuary SSSI / Ribble & Alt SPA Intertidal sediments condition monitoring – IPENS022|website=Natural England – Access to Evidence|accessdate=23 May 2023}}</ref> a [[National nature reserve (United Kingdom)|National Nature Reserve]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/conservation/landscape-scale-conservation/sites/ribble-estuary-national-reserve/|title=The Ribble Estuary National Nature Reserve Conservation|website=The RSPB|accessdate=23 May 2023}}</ref><ref name="auto"/> and is under development as a Coast & Wetlands [[Regional Park]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ribblecoastandwetlands.com/|title=Welcome to the Ribble Coast and Wetlands |work=Ribble Coast and Wetlands|accessdate=23 May 2023}}</ref>

[[Preston City Council]] published plans to build a barrage across the River Ribble, in their 'Riverworks' proposals (2006).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2006/dec/06/communities.uknews|title=Ripples of discontent on the Ribble|first=Helen|last=Carter|date=6 December 2006|work=The Guardian|accessdate=22 May 2023}}</ref> The aim of these proposals was to build a barrage and a water sports park on a section of the Ribble, coupled with over 4,000 units of housing and businesses in the river's flood plain. Some local residents opposed these plans, arguing that they endanger wildlife, increase flood risk to local housing and damage greenbelt areas. These residents set up the Save The Ribble campaign, and their two-year information campaign successfully overturned Preston City Council's proposals, and South Ribble Borough Council announced the alternative creation of a Country Park.  Parts of the river are a County Biological Heritage Site.

==Settlements==
{{Location map+|Lancashire
 |caption={{center|Shown with other rivers and canals in [[Lancashire]]}}
 |label=Rivers and canals in Lancashire
 |float=right
 |width=530
 |AlternativeMap = Rivers of Lancashire.png
 |places = 
   {{Location map~|Lancashire|lat=54.150|long=-2.296|label=[[Horton in Ribblesdale]]|label_size=85|position=left}}
   {{Location map~|Lancashire|lat=54.102|long=-2.275|label=[[Stainforth, North Yorkshire|Stainforth]]|label_size=85|position=left}}
   {{Location map~|Lancashire|lat=54.074|long=-2.289|label=[[Giggleswick]]|label_size=85|position=left}}
   {{Location map~|Lancashire|lat=54.072|long=-2.282|label=[[Settle, North Yorkshire|Settle]]|label_size=85|position=right}}
   {{Location map~|Lancashire|lat=54.018|long=-2.253|label=[[Long Preston]]|label_size=85|position=right}}
   {{Location map~|Lancashire|lat=53.985|long=-2.239|label=[[Halton West]]|label_size=85|position=left}}
   {{Location map~|Lancashire|lat=53.977|long=-2.221|label=[[Nappa, North Yorkshire|Nappa]]|label_size=85|position=right}}
   {{Location map~|Lancashire|lat=53.963|long=-2.261|label=[[Paythorne]]|label_size=85|position=left}}
   {{Location map~|Lancashire|lat=53.932|long=-2.265|label=[[Gisburn]]|label_size=85|position=right}}
   {{Location map~|Lancashire|lat=53.914|long=-2.341|label=[[Sawley, Lancashire|Sawley]]|label_size=85|position=right}}
   {{Location map~|Lancashire|lat=53.895|long=-2.388|label=[[West Bradford, Lancashire|West&nbsp;Bradford]]|label_size=85|position=left}}
   {{Location map~|Lancashire|lat=53.871|long=-2.392|label=<br/>'''[[Clitheroe]]'''|marksize=12|position=right}}
   {{Location map~|Lancashire|lat=53.846|long=-2.435|label=<br/>[[Great Mitton]]|label_size=85|position=right}}
   {{Location map~|Lancashire|lat=53.823|long=-2.454|label=[[Brockhall Village]]|label_size=80|position=bottom}}
   {{Location map~|Lancashire|lat=53.813|long=-2.532|label=[[Ribchester]]|label_size=85|position=left}}
   {{Location map~|Lancashire|lat=53.766|long=-2.604|label=[[Samlesbury]]|label_size=85|position=right}}
   {{Location map~|Lancashire|lat=53.746|long=-2.665|label=[[Walton-le-Dale]]|label_size=85|position=right}}
   {{Location map~|Lancashire|lat=53.759|long=-2.699|label='''[[Preston, Lancashire|Preston]]'''|position=left|marksize=12}}
   {{Location map~|Lancashire|lat=53.74 |long=-2.72 |label=[[Penwortham]]|label_size=85|position=bottom}}
   {{Location map~|Lancashire|lat=53.7  |long=-2.85  |label=<br/>[[Tarleton]]|label_size=85|position=right}}
   {{Location map~|Lancashire|lat=53.695|long=-2.883|label=[[Hundred End|Hundred&nbsp;End]]|label_size=85|position=left}}
   {{Location map~|Lancashire|lat=53.683|long=-2.917|label=[[Banks, Lancashire|Banks]]|label_size=85|position=bottom}}
   {{Location map~|Lancashire|lat=53.738|long=-2.960|label=[[Lytham]]|label_size=85|position=left}}
   {{Location map~|Lancashire|lat=53.985|long=-2.41|label=''[[River Hodder]]''|label_size=70|mark=Blue pog.svg|position=left|marksize=1}}
   {{Location map~|Lancashire|lat=53.79|long=-2.27|label=''[[River Calder, Lancashire|River Calder]]''|label_size=70|mark=Blue pog.svg|marksize=1|position=right}}
   {{Location map~|Lancashire|lat=53.71|long=-2.48|label=''[[River Darwen]]''|label_size=70|mark=Blue pog.svg|marksize=1|position=right}}
   {{Location map~|Lancashire|lat=53.60|long=-2.79|label=''[[River Douglas, Lancashire|River Douglas]]''|label_size=70|mark=Blue pog.svg|marksize=1|position=right}}
   {{Location map~|Lancashire|lat=53.80|long=-2.81|mark=Blue pog.svg|marksize=1|label_size=70|label=''[[Lancaster Canal]]''|position=left}}
   {{Location map~|Lancashire|lat=53.54|long=-2.95|mark=Blue pog.svg|marksize=1|label_size=70|label=''[[Leeds and Liverpool Canal]]''|position=right}}
   {{Location map~|Lancashire|lat=53.869|long=-2.3|label={{nowrap|''[[Pendle Hill]]''}}|label_size=85||mark=Green Fire.svg|position=top}}
   {{Location map~|Lancashire|lat=53.7563|long=-2.3137|label=''[[Hameldon Hill]]''|label_size=85|mark=Green Fire.svg|position=bottom}}
   {{Location map~|Lancashire|lat=53.865|long=-2.519|label=''[[Longridge Fell|Longridge&nbsp;Fell]]''|label_size=85||mark=Green Fire.svg|position=left}}
   {{Location map~|Lancashire|lat=53.937|long=-2.412|label=''[[Easington Fell]]''|label_size=85||mark=Green Fire.svg|position=bottom}}
   {{Location map~|Lancashire|lat=53.9|long=-2.219|label=''[[Weets Hill]]''|label_size=85||mark=Green Fire.svg|position=right}}
   {{Location map~|Lancashire|lat=54.228|long=-2.403|label=''[[Whernside]]''|label_size=85|mark=Mountain sign.svg|position=left}}
   {{Location map~|Lancashire|lat=54.166|long=-2.398|label=''[[Ingleborough]]''|label_size=85|mark=Mountain sign.svg|position=left}}
}}

===North Yorkshire===
*[[Horton in Ribblesdale]]
*[[Stainforth, North Yorkshire|Stainforth]]
*[[Stackhouse, England|Stackhouse]]
*[[Langcliffe]]
*[[Giggleswick]]
*[[Settle, North Yorkshire|Settle]]
*[[Halton West]]
*[[Nappa, North Yorkshire|Nappa]]

===Lancashire===
*[[Paythorne]]
*[[Gisburn]]
*[[Sawley, Lancashire|Sawley]]
*[[West Bradford, Lancashire|West Bradford]]
*[[Horrocksford]]
*[[Clitheroe]]
*[[Great Mitton]]
*[[Brockhall Village]]
*[[Little Town, Lancashire|Little Town]]
*[[Ribchester]]
*[[Samlesbury]]
*[[Walton-le-Dale]]
*[[Preston, Lancashire|Preston]]
*[[Penwortham]]
*[[Tarleton]]
*[[Hundred End]]
*[[Banks, Lancashire|Banks]]
*[[Lytham]]

==Main tributaries==
[[File:Rivers Ribble and Hodder meet - geograph.org.uk - 5485346.jpg|thumb|The [[confluence]] with the [[River Hodder]].]]
{{further|List of tributaries of the River Ribble}}

*[[River Douglas, Lancashire|River Douglas]] or River Asland
*[[Savick Brook]]
*[[River Darwen]]
*[[Stydd Brook]]
*[[Dinckley Brook]]
*[[River Calder, Lancashire|River Calder]]
*[[River Hodder]]

==Name==
The River Ribble gives its name to the local government boroughs of [[Ribble Valley]] and [[South Ribble]], and the [[Ribble Valley (UK Parliament constituency)|Ribble Valley parliamentary constituency]]. The [[Ribble Motor Services|Ribble Bus Company]] once operated throughout [[North West England]]. The Ribble also lends its name to the [[Ribble Steam Railway]].{{citation needed|date=June 2019}}

==See also==
*[[Geography of the United Kingdom]]
*[[List of rivers of England]]
*[[Longest rivers of the United Kingdom]]

==References==

===Notes===
{{reflist}}

===Bibliography===
*Crosby, A. (1996). ''A History of Cheshire.'' (The Darwen County History Series.) Chichester, West Sussex, UK: Phillimore & Co. Ltd. {{ISBN|0-85033-932-4}}.
*Greenhalgh, M. (2009). ''Ribble: river and valley, a local and natural history''. Lancaster, Carnegie Publishing. {{ISBN|978-1-85936-135-1}}.
*Harris, B. E., and Thacker, A. T. (1987). ''The Victoria History of the County of Chester. (Volume 1: Physique, Prehistory, Roman, Anglo-Saxon, and Domesday).'' Oxford: Oxford University Press. {{ISBN|0-19-722761-9}}.
*[[Ronald Hutton|Hutton, R.]] (1991) ''The Pagan Religions of the Ancient British Isles'', Oxford : Blackwell, {{ISBN|0-631-17288-2}}
*Morgan, P. (1978). ''Domesday Book Cheshire: Including Lancashire, Cumbria, and North Wales''. Chichester, Sussex: Phillimore & Co. Ltd. {{ISBN|0-85033-140-4}}.
*Phillips A. D. M., and Phillips, C. B. (2002),  ''A New Historical Atlas of Cheshire''. Chester, UK: Cheshire County Council and Cheshire Community Council Publications Trust. {{ISBN|0-904532-46-1}}.

==Further reading==
* {{cite journal|journal=Journal of Environmental Radioactivity|volume=36|issue=1|year=1997|pages=1–19|doi=10.1016/S0265-931X(96)00073-2 |publisher=Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.|title=Radiological assessment of the Ribble estuary—I. Distribution of radionuclides in surface sediments|first1=D.&nbsp;J. |last1=Assinder |first2=S.&nbsp;M. |last2=Mudge |first3=G.&nbsp;S. |last3=Bourne  |name-list-style=amp }}
* {{cite journal|journal=Journal of Environmental Radioactivity|volume=36|issue=1|year=1997|pages=21–41|doi=10.1016/S0265-931X(96)00074-4|publisher=Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.|title=Radiological assessment of the Ribble estuary—II. Beta and gamma dose rates and doses to critical groups|first1=S.&nbsp;M. |last1=Mudge |first2=G.&nbsp;S. |last2=Bourne |first3=D.&nbsp;J. |last3= Assinder  |name-list-style=amp }}
* {{cite journal|journal=Journal of Environmental Radioactivity|volume=36|issue=1|year=1997|pages=43–67|doi=10.1016/S0265-931X(96)00075-6|publisher=Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.|title=Radiological assessment of the Ribble estuary—III. Redistribution of radionuclides|first1=S.&nbsp;M. |last1=Mudge |first2=D.&nbsp;J. |last2=Assinder |first3=G.&nbsp;S. |last3=Bourne  |name-list-style=amp }}

==External links==
{{commons category|River Ribble}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20061214042827/http://www.preston.gov.uk/Category.asp?cat=785 Riverworks]
* [https://save-the-ribble.blogspot.com/ Save The Ribble]
* [https://www.ribbletrust.org.uk/ Ribble Rivers Trust – Working Together to Improve Our Rivers]

{{coord|53|45|N|2|46|W|display=title|region:GB_type:river_source:GNS-enwiki}}

{{Rivers of Lancashire}}
{{Rivers of Yorkshire}}
{{navboxes|title=Other local geography articles|list=
{{Lancashire}}
{{South Ribble}}
{{City of Preston, Lancashire}}
{{Borough of Ribble Valley}}
}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ribble, River}}
[[Category:Rivers of North Yorkshire]]
[[Category:Rivers of Lancashire]]
[[Category:River Ribble| ]]