Villages around the Ribble Valley

DOWNHAM

Nestling under the bulk of Pendle Hill this is one of the loveliest villages in Lancashire, quiet and unspoiled with a gurgling brook running past the village green and stone-built cottages. The church tower is a splendid example of 15th century architecture. Successive generations of the Assheton family have lived at Downham Hall since 1558; the present squire is Lord Clitheroe of Downham. A large stone by the entrance to Downham Hall is said to mark the final resting place of two legionnaires who died on the Roman road during trouble with the Brigantes. The village was used as a location for the famous film Whistle Down the Wind and more recently the popular BBC drama Born and Bred was filmed here. It also has associations with Old Mother Demdike and other infamous Lancashire witches.

Mrs Anne Musson has written a book entitled 'My Beloved Downham', which depicts her life growing up in the village. The book records a happy childhood and is accompanied by a lifetime collection of rare photographs of the village. The book is available from Anne Musson Tel: 01200 425681, Kaydee Bookshop in Clitheroe, Downham Post Office or from Clitheroe Visitor Information Centre Tel: 01200 425566 priced at £7.50 plus £1.50 p&p.

DUNSOP BRIDGE

Dunsop Bridge is the entrance to the famous Trough of Bowland. Lovely winding paths from here through the moors to Lancaster are popular with thousands of fell walkers. With resident ducks and grassy banks it is the perfect place to stop for a picnic or a cup of tea and a cake at the café. At St Hubert's Church the painting of a horse on the ceiling above the altar is supposed to be of the 1861 Derby winner 'Kettledrum'. Owned by the Towneley family it is said that the church was paid for with the horse's winnings.

Ordnance Survey have declared Dunsop Bridge as theOfficial Centre of the Kingdom, the famous explorer Sir Ranolph Fiennes unveiled the plaque that verifies this.

GISBURN

Gisburn is a thriving village with a long history. Situated on the A59, between Clitheroe and Skipton, its wide main street still retains some of its cobblestones. The Ribblesdale Arms Hotel dated from 1635 has now been converted in to luxury flats. The parish church has Norman windows and a Norman arch. North and South windows still contain stained glass figures of the 14th century. Gisburn's main attraction is the large Auction mart, which is also the site of occasional Sunday markets. In addition a famous landmark is Gisburn Park, which is now a private hospital. Guy of Gisburn of Robin Hood fame was said to have come from here. The White Bull public house is so named because until 1857 Gisburn Park contained a herd of white hornless wild cattle, descendants of cattle which once roamed the area. This particular herd was said to have been brought to Gisburn after the dissolution of the Abbey at Whalley.

GRINDLETON

Perched on a hillside, commanding extensive views of the picturesque Ribble Valley stands Grindleton . It is situated across the River Ribble from Sawley, a couple of miles outside Clitheroe. This small rural community once relied heavily on weaving and spinning. Set amidst rolling pastures the church of St. Ambrose once served a population of hand-weavers; it retains its neat Georgian tower (1805). Though the rest was re-designed by Paley circa 1897. Christianity has flourished here from the days of Sawley Abbey and one of the 17th century curates founded the 'Grindletonians' - forerunners of the Quakers. Notice the superb engraved window by David Peace and the attractively painted organ pipes. To commemorate the Millennium, the village now has its own heritage trail. The walk takes approx. 1 hour and maps can be obtained from the Buck Inn and the Duke of York pub in the village or Clitheroe Visitor Information Centre.

HURST GREEN

The beautiful and idyllic village of Hurst Green is situated in the heart of the Ribble Valley. The village is reputed to be haunted by the Highwayman Ned King, who is thought to be the ghostly figure seen riding through the village late at night. Numerous reports of the hauntings have been made throughout the years. In life he came to his end not far from the Punch Bowl Inn. The Shireburn Arms is a 17th century hotel, named after Richard Shireburn who owned the land around the village. Also at Hurst Green is the beautiful church of St. Peter's. It is also the home of Stonyhurst College , a world famous Roman Catholic boys boarding college. The magnificent buildings are set in extensive parkland with two huge ponds that were excavated in 1696. The college houses a wonderful museum collection including a 7th century Gospel of St. John. Cromwell stayed here in 1648. In 1811 the building became the first public building to be lit by gas. Conan Doyle creator of Sherlock Holmes is among many famous ex scholars of the college. The college was the setting for the novel "The Hound of the Baskervilles". Hurst Green is the starting point for the Tolkien Trail .