Padiham Greenway, Part One

There are several thousand miles of closed railway lines around the British isles, many of which have been re-purposed as footpaths, bridle-ways and cycle-paths for the use of the public. Many of these were closed in the decades since the ‘Beeching cuts’ of the 60’s, when the incumbent Chairman of the British Railways Board, RichardContinue reading “Padiham Greenway, Part One”

Bashall Eaves

Bashall Eaves is a small village about 5 miles from Clitheroe on the road to Whitewell and a mile away from Browsholme estate. It’s a very small and cosy place, composed of a handful of pretty cottages, a post-office which is only open from 10 til 2 on a Tuesday, the village hall and, justContinue reading “Bashall Eaves”

The Gardens and Grounds of Browsholme Hall

Browsholme Hall dates from the 13th century and like many of England’s finest country houses is surrounded by landscaped parkland and gardens. The hall has always been the home of the Parker family who have made many alterations and improvements over the centuries. (See this article for a history of the hall and the ParkerContinue reading “The Gardens and Grounds of Browsholme Hall”

Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue Team

This year marks the 61st anniversary of the Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue Team which was created in April 1962 after a tragic incident near Beacon Fell on the 25th of March 1962. The incident, which involved 3 siblings who had been out for a walk on the fells in inclement weather, sadly ended in twoContinue reading “Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue Team”

A Woodland Walk, by William Billington

‘A Woodland Walk’ by Lancashire Poet William Billington (1825-1884), born at the Ribble valley village of Samlesbury on the 3rd April, 1825 A Woodland Walk I wandered forth to watch the infant Day Sow diamonds over plain and woodland copse; The Sun, just glancing o’er the mountains gray, With slanting beams, illumed their grassy slopes;Continue reading “A Woodland Walk, by William Billington”

Walloper Well

Walloper well is found about halfway up Easington Fell on the road between Clitheroe and Newton, it is a well known local landmark having been there since before the Norman conquest. Its name ‘Walloper’ comes from the Norman term for the indigenous people of the British isles ‘Walha’. Although a local, and very misogynistic, folkContinue reading “Walloper Well”

Abbeystead Weir

Abbeystead reservoir was built in 1853 to supply mills further downstream in dry weather and is a popular local beauty spot. The graceful horseshoe-shaped weir beside it, also known as Abbeystead waterfall, is particularly worth visiting in the spring, when the surrounding woods are carpeted with Bluebells, Marsh Marigolds and other plants of the woodlandContinue reading “Abbeystead Weir”

A Short Introduction to the Long and Fascinating History of Hornby Castle

Hornby castle dates from the 13th century and sits, resplendent in its well-tended gardens and grounds, just outside the village of Hornby in the Lune valley, strategically situated near the confluence of the river Lune and river Wenning. Its gardens are nationally famous and opened to the public several days a year but the hallContinue reading “A Short Introduction to the Long and Fascinating History of Hornby Castle”