In the market town of Rawtenstall, where Fitzpatrick's Herbal Health, England's last temperance bar, does a roaring trade in sarsaparilla, black beer and herbal remedies - all alcohol free, naturally!

Fortunately, Rossendale also has a great many excellent pubs where you can indulge in some of Britain's finest ales, often in the most picturesque surroundings. This is wonderful walking country with a wide variety of walks ranging from Rossendale Way, a 47-mile exploration of Lancashire's Hill Country, to a range of shorter guided walks organised by the Groundwork Countryside Centre.

Visit the 30-mile Sculpture Trail along the River Irwell to see works of art in natural surroundings such as Jane Dunne's Sentinel overlooking Bacup, the Chrysalis Gates at the Groundwork Countryside Centre, or 'Remnant Kings' by Ian Randall in Irwell Vale.