Steeped in centuries-old heritage and legendary folklore, Lancashire offers many attractions to suit your interests and there are some fantastic locations to choose from.
Discover some of Lancashire's legends! From majestic manor houses set in relaxing gardens to original textile museums transporting you back to a time when cotton was king!
Take a trip to the top of Pendle hill and take in the spectacular countryside and spellbinding story of the "Pendle Witches", the most famous witches in the land. Over four hundred years since the imprisonment, trial and deaths of the "Pendle Witches" people are as fascinated as ever. Some people remain on the summit overnight just to take in the atmosphere.
Close by is Whalley Abbey, whose 'monks' will give visitors an insight into how their predecessors used to live and work. Clitheroe is also well worth a visit with its recently revamped museum and fine castle.
Pendle Hill is the birth place of the Quaker movement, in 1640 George Fox the founder of the Quaker movement had a vision on the summit of Pendle Hill.
Why not visit the National Trust's best kept secret,Gawthorpe Hall for a cultural day out within 5 miles of Height Top Farm. Or follow the Stream & Steam Heritage Trail leaflet (pdf)
For shopping and sightseeing, there are nearby market towns such as Clitheroe which has a wide range of independent shops, restaurants and pubs as well as a cinema and equally historic Colne which also has the famous Boundary Mill Store, the place for some retail therapy.
Pendle and the Forest of Bowland have many picturesque villages such as our closest village Higham www.highamparishcouncil.com, and nearby Newchurch, Barley and Downham are all worth a visit. A short journey away are Waddington with its delightful stream side gardens, Sawley with its abbey ruins and riverside walk, and Slaidburn with its riverside village green. A great way to explore our local villages is to follow the Forest of Bowland Teashop Map (1.0mb)
For arts and crafts there is the Platform Gallery in Clitheroe, also Clitheroe Castle has regular exhibitions. In nearby Fence village is landscape painter Keith Melling's gallery www.kmelling.com. There are other private galleries in Colne Whalley and Clitheroe.
The Pendle Visitor Guide (pdf) information on what Pendle has to offer including Walking and Cycling Festivals and the biggest Blues Festival in Britain. The Forest of Bowland Discovery Guide (pdf) is a comprehensive guide and lists a programme of events and activities.
For even more ideas visit Forest of Bowland - www.forestofbowland.com, Visit Pendle - www.visitpendle.com and Visit Ribble Valley web site - www.visitribblevalley.co.uk.
