Ribchester

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Ribchester
A 2009 aerial view of Ribchester, looking south
Ribchester Shown within Ribble Valley Show map of the Borough of Ribble Valley Ribchester Location within Lancashire Show map of Lancashire
Population	1,598 (2011)
OS grid reference	SD649353
Civil parish	Ribchester
District	Ribble Valley
Shire county	Lancashire
Region	North West
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	PRESTON
Postcode district	PR3
Dialling code	01254
Police	Lancashire
Fire	Lancashire
Ambulance	North West
UK Parliament	Ribble Valley
List of places UK England Lancashire 53°48′47″N 2°31′55″W / 53.813°N 2.532°W / 53.813; -2.532

Ribchester (/ˈrɪb.tʃɛ.stə/) is a village and civil parish within the Ribble Valley district of Lancashire, England. It lies on the banks of the River Ribble, six miles (10 km) northwest of Blackburn and twelve miles (19 km) east of Preston.

The village has a long history with evidence of Bronze Age beginnings. It is well known as a significant Roman site being the location of a Roman cavalry fort called Bremetennacum, some parts of which have been exposed by excavation. In common with many towns and villages in East Lancashire its later history was dominated by cotton weaving; firstly in the form of hand-loom weaving and later in two mills. Neither mill still operates and the village is primarily a dormitory village for commuters to the town of Blackburn and the cities of Preston and Manchester.

The main access road into Ribchester is the B6245. From the north-west, this is Preston Road, which merges into Church Street. From the east, it is Blackburn Road, which, at its westernmost extremity, also links up with Church Street, closer to the centre of the village. Stonygate Lane, which runs to the north, partially follows the route of the old Roman road into Ribchester.