Short Walks

Downham Circular Walk I

This map is based upon Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Lancashire County Council 100023320 2004

Downham Village

DOWNHAM CIRCULAR WALKS I (Allow 2 Hours, Approximately 3miles / 5Km)

1. Leave the car park through the small gate near to the toilets and walk over the footbridge. Pass through two kissing gates, then cross the stone road bridge. Turn left and walk up Pendle Road. Go past the pub and turn right, passing between the small car park and the end of the row of cottages. Pass through the gate ahead and turn immediately left through a wicket gate. Walk straight up the path, quietly passing the house, before entering a field. Keeping to the left edge of the field proceed to the squeeze stile.

2. Squeeze through and follow the wall straight ahead to a waymarker post next to a gate with a 'Private' sign. Turn right and walk along the ridge towards the right hand side of the wood ahead. On reaching it walk towards the wooden stile in the fence ahead. Cross over and walk straight ahead along the ridge to the stone stile. Cross and proceed ahead keeping to the edge of the field and continue, passing over another stile, until you reach a farm.

3. Do not enter the farm but cross the stile in the wall to the right of the farm buildings. Bear slightly right across the field to another wall stile next to a gateway in the opposite boundary. Cross over and, keeping to the edge of the field, go straight ahead to a second stile from which you should walk ahead towards a farm. Cross two stiles keeping to the right of the farm shed. Turn left at the track and pass between the farm building before crossing the stile ahead.

4. Bear right, heading downhill and follow the stone wall to a footbridge. Cross over the turn left. Walk straight ahead, keeping parallel first to the beck, then the fence when the beck curves away, cross the footbridge ahead. Turn left following the beck until you reach a fence on your left which you should follow for 100 yards until you reach a stile. Cross over the stile and stream before heading half left up the hill following the direction of the waymark arrow. Follow the fence line left at the top of the hill until you reach a hollow just before a gate way.

5.Walk down the hollow bearing right over the stile towards a footbridge which you should cross. Take the path ahead which leads diagonally uphill until you reach a stone stile.. Squeeze through and continue in the same direction uphill, crossing a number of stiles.

6. Just after cresting the rise you will cross the original path. At this point choose to return the way which you came (via the Roman Road) or via Twiston lane to see the lime kiln. Please note that there is no path on Twiston Lane so keep to the right and take care. To return via the lane continue straight ahead along the length of the field then cross the stile and turn right into Twiston lane (which will bring you back to Downham).

DOWNHAM CIRCULAR WALK I
The walk begins and ends at Downham Visitors Car Park and is approximately 3 miles (5km) in length. You should allow around 2 hours to complete the walk. Account for changes in the weather, and sturdy footwear is advised as you may encounter wet conditions underfoot. The walk passes through fields with livestock, so please keep dogs under control and shut all gates behind you.

Enjoy the walk!

Most visitors are attracted to Downham for its unspoilt character and attractive setting. This walk offers the opportunity to discover more about the village, its surrounding countryside and features of interest as well as offering outstanding views.

DOWNHAM VILLAGE
A traditional agricultural village, Downham has changed little in appearance during the last three centuries. The Village School (at the bottom of the hill on the right) was built by William Assheton in 1839, the last replacement of the original sixteenth century school, to provide free education for local children. As you walk up the hill you will see the Parish Church of St. leonard's, rebuilt in 1910, incorporating the late 14th century bell tower. Another building to look for is the Assheton Arms Public House from the 18th Century, originally known as 'The George and Dragon'. The Assheton name is one of great importance in the village as the family has been associated with Downham since Medieval times and has been responsible for the preservation (and creation) of many of the village's buildings. Look out for the remains of the old Village Stocks in front of the Post Office.

Assheton Arms Downham

STONE SQUEEZE STILES
Dotted around the route you will notice the unusual design of stiles, made up of three limestone slabs. As well as the design's rarity, interest also lies in the limestone used which contains fossilised 'sea lilies' believed to have been formed on the sea bed millions of years ago.

WILDLIFE AND PLANTS
There is plenty of natural interest to look out for along the walk. The hedgerows contain a variety of species including hawthorn and ash, and provides a home for creatures such as voles, hedgehogs and weasels. The dry stone walls also have interest, creating an ideal habitat for the ivy leaved toadflax and wall rue. Also of note are the woodlands of the estate, planted and managed for wildlife and game conservation.

VIEWS

The walk offers excellent views of the surrounding countryside particularly as you walk along the Roman Road. Use the insert diagram as a guide to the views seen (weather conditions permitting).

THE ROMAN ROAD
Although Lancashire's climate proved too inhospitable for the Romans to establish a permanent settlement, the area was a military zone. The route follows part of the Ribchester to Ilkley Roman Road - a paved construction enabling the swift movement of men and materials. The road is believed previously to have been part of a 112 mile 'Gold Road' spanning britain and used by Irish traders traveling to trade with the Danish.

THE LIME KILN
From Twiston Lane (opposite Smithfield farm) it is possible to see a disused Lime kiln and behind it the quarry where limestone was obtained. Limestone quarrying was an important industry in the area and many farms had lime kilns where local limestone would be burnt, reducing it to lime which could then be used to treat acid soil or as building mortar.

Lime Kiln

PUBLIC TRANSPORT
There are 3 Bus services to Downham: Clitheroe - Chatburn - Downham via Pimlico Monday to Saturday Service No C3 Clitheroe - Gisburn Circular (Pendleside Minibus) Monday, Tuesday and Thursday only Service No 203 Pendle Witch Hopper 3 May to 25 October 2001 Sunday & Bank Holidays Service No 70

Clitheroe County Information Centre Tel: 01200 442226

Downham Circular Walk II

Downham walk 2 map

Downham Village

DOWNHAM CIRCULAR WALKS II (Allow 2-3 Hours, Approximately 4miles / 6Km)

1. Leave the car park through the small gate near the toilets and head towards the stone road bridge, passing through two more kissing gates. Do not cross the road bridge but follow the road straight ahead and then bear left to follow Downham Beck upstream. Pass the cottages right to the end of the lane and then cross into the field through a narrow stone "squeeze" stile or kissing gate.

2. Continue to follow the beck upstream for about 100 metres before bearing right at the wooden waymark post. Cross this field for 300 metres to where the fence line meets the beck and then cross the kissing gate. Keeping the beck on your left cross a stone stile and then follow the way-marker to cross a wooden footbridge, after 200 metres. (N.B. This section of the path has been officially diverted in recent years and the route here differs to that shown on older maps).

3. Follow this path through the trees for 150 metres and cross the farm track by way of a stone stile. Continue uphill keeping to the edge of the field, eventually reaching a small stone out-barn after crossing two more stiles. Turn left in front of this barn, cross a small gully, and then follow the signed route towards Hecklin farm.

4. Follow the waymarker across this large pasture and cross over the track to Hollins Farm via a steep stone stile. Continue straight ahead and cross a further stone stile down in the dip and then follow the fence round past the farm buildings of Nutshaw which you should keep on your left. Head towards the farm house of Hecklin Farm but turn left at the end of the wall 50 metres before reaching the farmyard. Cross over the stone stile ahead of you.

5.Keeping to the edge of the field cross over a further stone stile and head for another stile crossing the wall ahead of you at the top of the hill. From this stile follow the faint line of the ancient track across Haysett Hill, waymarked with small limestone boulders. On reaching the dry stone wall at the foot of the hill turn right and cross a stile next to a field gate. Keeping to the edge of the field follow the fence line and then over a stile onto an old green lane.

6. Follow this track for approximately 100m to turn sharp right where it opens out into a meadow. Keep to the edge of the field and follow the hedge line downhill, crossing a further stile. Just before reaching Twiston Beck turn right and follow the beck upstream to cross by a wooden footbridge. On crossing the beck turn immediately left towards Twiston Mill pond and cross a stile to pass between the beck and the pond and so reach Twiston Lane. Taking care of the traffic, turn right and follow the road downhill until a stone stile is reached on the left just before the farm buildings which occupy the site of the Old Twiston Mill.

7. Pass through this stile and head upstream along Twiston Beck, passing through a stone squeeze stile and a kissing gate until a wooden footbridge is reached on your left. Cross the beck and head uphill keeping the wall on your right until bearing left to cross the stile in the fence in front of Springs farmhouse. Pass between the house and the buildings on the main track and then turn immediately right to cross two stiles before bearing slightly left uphill towards a group of mature trees. Cross the stone stile in the wall ahead and continue along the line of the old trackway. On reaching a small disused quarry on your left, cross the stone stile and bear right across the meadow, aiming for a stone stile in the wall 50 metres to the left of Hey House. Keep in single file while the grass is growing, please.

8. Cross the stile, bear right and on reaching the fence/hedge line, follow it straight ahead passing over two stone stiles. After the second stile, continue straight on following the ridge to a stile in the fence ahead. Cross and pass the wood to a wide ridge (the route of the old Roman road and head for the centre of the woods visable ahead. Turn left on reaching the walled boundary of the wood and head down towards the village, passing through a stone squeeze stile. On reaching a small wooden gate turn right (remembering to close the gate!) and follow the road past Assheton Arms, after which its all downhill to the car park.

DOWNHAM CIRCULAR WALK II
The walk begins and ends at Downham Visitors Car Park and is approximately 4 miles (6 km) in length. You should allow between 2-3 hours to complete the walk. Sturdy footwear is advised as some of the paths will be muddy following wet weather.

The walk is over working farmland so please observe the country code and in particular, keep dogs under close control at all times.

Enjoy the walk!

TWISTON MILL
Along the course of the walk you will pass Twiston Mill. This was originally a corn mill for the parish but it was converted to a cotton mill in the early 1800s. The mill was owned by the Assheton family, with William Assheton constructing the upper dam to create the reservoir in 1851.

Whilst producing cotton the mill employed twenty men, seven women and twenty two children. The children were employed as cotton piecers, a highly dangerous job which involved working under the machinery. Accidents were frequent with the children being badly injured in a moment's lapse of concentration.

The area was obviously a hive of activity at one time with many more buildings, including workers' cottages, occupying the site than its current sleepy atmosphere would suggest.

The mill was described by its owner as 'more plague than profit' and eventually it was burned down in 1882.

WILDLIFE
The attractive landscape passed through on this walk has been shaped by the activities of man over many thousand of years. The landowners and tenants of the estate are carrying on a long tradition of sympathetic land management and in particular you will notice that a great deal of work is being carried out to improve the hedgerows and woodlands in the area.

Haysett Hill

This ongoing management means that the area has abundant wildlife from large mammals, such as Roe Deer and Badgers, to the tiny but beautiful Blue butterfly. Birds are well represented and on a spring day you will be serenaded by Curlew and Skylark from the meadows and Willow Warbler and Redstart in the hedgerows and scattered trees.

Twiston Beck is one of the cleanest streams in the County and as a consequence it is particularly important as one of the major spawning grounds for the elusive "Sea Trout" of the river Ribble system. Much of the recent fencing you will notice along the banks of the beck is part of an ambitious project to improve still further the wildlife interest of the stream environment - another example of the active management for wildlife.

DOWNHAM VILLAGE
The village of Downham has hardly changed over the past two centuries. It boasts Elizabethan weavers' cottages of fine honey coloured gritstone. Of special interest are the stone carved window frames and the attractive overhanging stone slab porches.

The Traditional appearance of the village owes itself to the work of the manorial family of Downham, the ASSHETONS. The family is one of the oldest in lancashire, they built the village school, the pub (originally named"The George and Dragon" but now called the "Asseton Arms") and virtually all the cottages and other buildings.

The plan of the village is of an Anglican grouping with St. Leonard's church being situated next to Downham Hall and the Inn conveniently located near both. It is claimed that a "great stone" lies within the walls of Downham Hall which turns over completely when the church clock strikes midnight.

Weavers Cottages

GEOLOGY

As part of the circular walk you will pass over Haysett Hill which is one of the many fossilised coral reef knolls found in the Downham area. This feature gave the village its original name of "Dunum" which means "among many hills". The limestone of the area was formed from the bed of a shallow sea covering this area in the carboniferous era of 345-280 million years ago.

This limestone provided a welcome resource for the local farmers who quarried the rock for building materials and to be burned or "slaked" in special kilns in the area. The resulting lime was used in the preparation of mortar and also to "sweeten" the acid soils around Pendle Hill.

Clitheroe County Information Centre Tel: 01200 442226

Downham Circular Walk III

Downham Circular Walks III

Stone Squeeze Style

DOWNHAM CIRCULAR WALKS III (Allow 4-5 Hours, Approximately 7 miles / 11Km)

1. Leave the car park through the small gate near to the public toilets and head towards the stone road bridge, passing through two more small gates. Do not cross the bridge but follow the road straight ahead and then bear left to follow Downham Brook upstream. Pass the cottages to the end of the lane and then cross into the field through a narrow stone 'squeeze ' stile or adjacent kissing gate.

2.Follow the brook upstream for about 100 metres before bearing right at the wooden waymarker post. Following the direction of the arrow, cross this field to where the fence line meets the brook and then cross the timber stile. Keeping the beck on your left, cross a stone stile and then follow the waymarkers to a wooden footbridge.(N.B. This section of path has been officially diverted in recent years and the route here differs to that shown on older maps).

3. Follow this path through the trees and cross the farm track by way of a stone and then timber stile. Continue uphill keeping to the edge of the meadow and after crossing two further stone stiles you will reach the small stone outbarn known as 'Jubilee' Barn. Turn left here and cross a gully before taking a stile on your right and heading up to the kissing gate at the road side.

4. Cross the road (take care!) and follow the path opposite to pass through another kissing gate and onto the concessionary path up to Pendle. This first section of the climb (up to the next stone stile) is the steepest of the walk so pace yourself and it will get easier! Follow the well defined route over Downham Moor to cross a timber stile and head for the 'zig-zag' path up the main flank of Pendle. (Please keep to the waymarked route here in order to help prevent soil erosion).

5. Follow this path up to the plateau and head for the stile and gate in the boundary wall en route to the summit. To reach the summit triangulation pillar and to enjoy the best views from Pendle Hill, cross this stile and follow the well worn path for approximately 400 metres. After a well earned rest retrace your steps to the stile in the boundary wall and then bear left along a well defined old trackway. This is good level walking and after about 1 km another boundary wall is crossed by a stile from where there are magnificent views over Clitheroe and the Ribble valley.

6. Continue along the northern ridge of Pendle, passing a stone shelter on your left ( a good place for a break on a wet and windy day) , until you reach a tall stone Cairn built by the local Scouts. To the right of the Cairn take the path which descends to the edge of Mearley Clough and then bear right again to follow the old track which descends at an angle downhill. Head down towards the wall corner on your right and then turn left to follow the wall down towards Brast Clough. Do not descend this Clough but follow the stone waymarker posts across the first gully and then descend steeply down the left hand side of the second to cross a stile in the field corner to your right.

7. Follow the old Drove Lane down to where it becomes metalled, and follow it to the road junction, follow the sign towards Downham. Being careful of traffic, follow the road for 150 metres, past a sharp right hand turn, and then turn left up the farm track towards Worsaw Hill End farm.

8. Walk up the farm track for approximately 120 metres and, on crossing the small stone bridge, leave the track and carry straight on across the narrow meadow and then through a gate in the wall at the foot of Worsaw Hill. Turn immediately right and follow the wall for approximately 150 metres before leaving it to go through another squeeze stile then bear left and follow this field path, aiming to the right side of Langland Hall Wood up ahead. Squeeze through another stile and follow the path down the right hand side of the wood before following the waymarked route back to the village.

Cemetary

DOWNHAM CIRCULAR WALK III
This circular walk takes you from the intimacy of Downham's village, fields and woodlands to the wild and windswept summit of Pendle, and back again via a network of public footpaths and additional "concessionary" routes agreed with the landowners and farmers along the way. The walk involves a steady climb and a descent that is relatively steep in parts and a reasonable level of fitness will be required to enjoy the walk in safety. At 557 metres above sea level Pendle does not quite qualify for 'mountain' status but nevertheless deserves to be treated with respect and normal sensible precautions should be taken before attempting the walk. The summit of Pendle is a very exposed place and is invariably much colder (and often wetter!) than the starting point for the walk.

Always :

* Inform somebody of your route and approximate return time

* Wear good, well fitting and supportive walking boots

* Carry spare warm clothing, waterproofs, food and drink, torch and whistle.

* Carry a map and compass and know how to use them.

Conditions on Pendle can change very quickly and visibility can become very poor, especially on the summit, so always be prepared to turn back if necessary.

On some sections of the walk you will come across waymarker arrows carved in stone and set in the path-side walls. These were carved by local people during workshop sessions held in Downham village and these carvings are now becoming quite a feature of the local area.

GEOLOGY
The route of the walk is something of a journey through time in a geological sense with, generally, the higher you climb the younger the underlying rock. The village of Downham is built on ancient limestone formed approximately 300 million years ago from the remains of sea creatures at the bed of what was once a tropical ocean. As you climb onto the slopes of pendle, however, you are walking over successive layers of sediments deposited from rivers which flowed into this sea forming an enormous delta. Thus on the lower slopes of Pendle you can see exposed the soft shaley layers of sediment which give rise to the characteristic 'fluted' topography especially around the eastern end of the hill. Periodically these softer shale deposits are washed out by enormous outpourings of water , the prime example being at 'Brast Clough' above Worston. Higher up towards the summit you will come across outcrops of the hard gritstone cap which has protected Pendle (as well as Pen-y-ghent and Ingleborough over in Yorkshire) and left these statuesque hills as islands above the eroded valleys.

View

LOCAL HISTORY
As you near the top of the long incline path to Pendle's summit you pass just above a natural spring known as Fox's Well which can be reached via a narrow sheep track to the left of the main path. This is reputedly where, in 1652 , George Fox had his vision which led to the founding of the Quaker movement. Today the water is as crystal clear as ever. (many a grateful walker has been rejuvenated by a drink here). The Trig. Point on Pendle's summit is situated on the mound of an ancient beacon site, one of a chain across the country which would have been lit in days gone by to announce major local and national events. The last large scale beacon fire on Pendle was for Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in 18 . The high limestone outcrop of Worsaw hill dominates much of the return leg of the walk, the hill being named after one of the early Anglo Saxon settlers, Worsa, who has also given his name to the little village of Worston (Worsa's Tun). Indeed this area abounds with evidence of man's activities through the ages, from the line of the Roman road to the north of Worsaw to the outlines of the Warrens on the side of the hill where from mediaeval times rabbits were bred for food. On a more modern note, Worsaw End farm and the hill behind were the location for the famous 1961 film, Whistle Down the Wind, starring Hayley Mills, Alan Bates and a host of local residents.

Trig Point

NATURAL HISTORY
The majority of this walk passes over agricultural land and in this area that means the production of lamb, beef, milk and wool. However, much of this land is also being actively managed for the benefit of wildlife, largely through Countryside Stewardship and Woodland Grant Schemes. During the walk you will pass through and alongside a number of woodlands both old and new and you will notice that many of the hedgerows have been fenced and replanted. Once you climb onto the moorland expanses of Downham moor and Pendle hill itself, you are crossing land that is being managed for specialist plants such as Cotton grasses and mosses which in turn support many birds which are in national decline such as Skylark, Curlew and Snipe. Brown hares also abound on these large areas of rough grazing, again in stark contrast to much of the rest of the country. The summit of Pendle still has some remnant Heathland vegetation of Heathers and Bilberry, particularly on Barley moor, and here we find the specialist moorland birds such as Red Grouse and Golden Plover. Pendle also draws relatively rare birds from time to time and in the springtime it will be worth keeping an eye open for the visiting Dotterel and in winter for flocks of the striking Snow Bunting. Worsaw hill has national recognition for its limestone geology and associated wildflowers and as you walk along its foot during the summer months, you may be rewarded by the heady bouquet of wild Thyme.

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