Walking Around Pendle, Nelson and Colne

Not far north of the industrial town of Burnley lies an enchanting area of surprising beauty and hidden delights. Walk through this scenic landscape and it will unfold to reveal a unique and picturesque corner of Lancashire. Pendle Hill, with its distinctive 1,831 feet profile visible for miles around, provides spectacular views extending north westwards to the Forest of Bowland and west across the Fylde Plain to the Irish Sea. Rising out of an ancient hunting ground, The Forest of Pendle, the area is characterised by windswept moorland, rocky outcrops, deep-sided valleys (cloughs) and rolling fields. Steeped in history and legend, Pendle Hill exudes an air of mystery and magnificence. It is believed that the ancient Britons climbed this hill to bury their dead and the Romans worshipped their gods here. Evidence remains of a Bronze Age burial site called the Beacon on top of Pendle Hill. Superstition and intrigue have also been prevalent here during the early 17th century, when the infamous Pendle Witches, reputed to possess malevolent powers and practice devil worship, put fear in local people. The route they took from their interrogation in Pendle to their conviction and ultimate hanging at Lancaster can be followed on the Pendle Witches Trail. On a slightly happier note, the Quaker movement started in Pendle after the founder, George Fox, climbed Pendle Hill in 1652 and had a vision 'of a great people waiting to be enlightened and gathered in'. A good place to start a walk up Pendle Hill is the village of Barley - if you dare!

Weets Hill and Boulsworth Hill - There are two other hills in the Pendle area well worth walking . These are Weets Hill just west of Barnoldswick and Boulsworth Hill near Wycoller. Weets Hill is best approached from Barnoldswick and provides a gentle, peaceful walk, with lovely views across Pendle and the Yorkshire Dales. It offers the contrast of vibrant green pastureland, limestone country, and moorland gritstone. A route to Boulsworth Hill from Wycoller Country Park rewards with good views, gritstone outcrops, patchwork fields, wooded valleys and a hidden waterfall.

Wycoller Country Park - The Park, Wycoller village conservation area and the surrounding moors are another glorious walking location in Pendle. The origins of this picturesque village can be traced back beyond 1000BC. There is much of interest to explore here including the ruins of the 16th century Wycoller Hall, a 17th century aisled barn and the the romantic bridges crossing the Wycoller Beck including the Clam bridge, the Clapper Bridge and the Pack-Horse Bridge. There are numerous paths within the park and details can be obtained from the information centre. This is Bronte country and the Bronte Way passes through the village. Charlotte Bronte is thought to have frequently visited Wycoller village in her many walks around the area. The Hall is believed by some to be 'Ferndean Manor' in her novel 'Jane Eyre'. The moorlands roundabout are dominated by tough wiry tussock grasses, heather and purple moor grass. These areas provide excellent habitats for a variety of wildlife including curlew, golden plover and red grouse. The pasture and moorland slopes were once clothed with oak and birch forests, but now woodland is largely concentrated in the stream valleys where you may see a profusion of woodland plants including wood anemone.

The Pendle Way is a 45 mile long distance path which circumnavigates the Pendle region, including the 'Three Peaks'. Parts of it can, of course, be walked as shorter linear walks. The Bronte Way, linking places associated with the family, also passes through Pendle country on its journey to Gawthorpe Hall near Padiham.

Colne - The Ferndean Way follows Colne Water from Waterside in Colne to Wycoller. The route is mostly on the level and the path is easily discernible. The walk is approximately 3 miles long and passes areas of interest along the way.

Barrowford - The Water Power Trail is a 7 mile circular walk that links some of the early water powered sites found beside Pendle Water. The walk starts at Pendle Heritage Centre. It follows the course of Pendle Water to Brierfield, over to Roughlee and then back to Pendle Heritage centre in Barrowford.

OS Maps: Explorer™OL21 South Pennines

A Walk from Blacko [SD 866413]
This is a walk of immence variety and interest through Pendle Witch country. There is a gradual ascent to the moorland by Blacko Tower, then a descent to the secluded valley of Admergill Water following it downstream to the edge of Roughlee and the point where it meets Pendle Water at the local beauty spot of the Waters Meeting. There are splendid views of Pendle and the rugged Pennine moors throughout. About 4.5 miles.
Best Pub for this walk
Cross Gaits Inn, Blacko Tel: 01282 616312
Fresh ingredients and home cooked food, simple snacks and main meals. The Pendle Witches may have been held here and the inn is reputedly haunted, but feels homely and comfortable.
Another excellent inn with good food is the Moorcock on the A682 towards Gisburn. This is a beautifully placed moorland dining pub. (Good Pub Guide).
This walk is fully described in the guidebook 'Pub Walks in Lancashire' by Nick Burton

Acknowledgement: Some of the text describing this region has been adapted from Pendle Borough Council publications, for which we are very grateful. Further information can be obtained from their website www.pendle.gov.uk/tourism

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