Tuesday 22nd December, 7 miles. Downham.
Today was one of those days; not a drop of wind, easy walking and hardly anybody about. I seemed in a trance as I wandered around a familiar easy circuit. Hands in pockets walking. I was alert to birdsong and the tinkling of the becks coming off Pendle Hill. No planes disturbed the sky. This is excellent Lancashire limestone country, and I was in no rush to pass through it, in fact I was happy to wander at will in search of new discoveries. Time stood still in this bygone landscape while the sun shone but slowly the day turned to grey.
This moody Eagle track was in my head all day, as my grandchildren would say ‘I was in the zone’
I had parked in Worston, which is much quieter than Downham, wandered up to the splendidly isolated Little Mearley Hall and then along the northern base of a generally misty Pendle linking a series of farms. The approach to Downham via the little beck was a delight, and I looked around the village even having enough time to go up to the top road to find the C18 milestone and further on the boundary stone hidden in the wall. [but I missed ‘The Great Stone of Downham’ also in this wall] A new path has been provided here to avoid the traffic. My way back was past Worsaw End farm made famous in Whistle Down The Wind starring Hayley Mills and Alan Bates. Prominent above is Worsaw Hill, one of the many Reef Knolls in the area. On a whim I decided to climb to its summit, never having done so before. I was rewarded with good views of the Ribble Valley towards Kemple End and a birds eye view of Downham. All was quiet back in Worston. I wonder how long it will be before we are in full lockdown?
Little Mearley Hall.
Hookcliffe.
Clay House Farm.
Approaching Downham.
A slow wander around Downham…
Village Stocks.
‘To Colne 9 Miles To Gisburn 4 Miles To Clitheroe 3 Miles’
Boundary stone.
Downham Hall home of the Asshetons.
Lower Hall and Church.
Heading back to Worston…
Reef knoll country.
‘Whistling down the wind’
The ‘summit’ with Pendle in the background.
Downham.
A hazy Ribble Valley.
Worsaw Hill. 221 m
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May I take this opportunity to wish any readers out there the best seasonal greetings.
A Lancashire Reindeer.
Looks grand – have a good Christmas and hopefully a freer New Year.
And the same to you John. Best wishes.
Regards JB
Thank you for your wonderful postings and Merry Christmas to you. I look forward to the day I can come visit again and set off on some of these walks you have shared with us. I truly appreciate your efforts. Happy Holidays Rob Wenman rwenman.skier1@yahoo.com
Glad you enjoy them Rob.
Best of the season’s greetings. Hopefully next year will bring many more outings.
Aw thanks for sharing , my old house there too. 🙂
Had to include a photo for you! They have some noisy dogs on guard.
I see you climbed Worsaw Hill, it would be a lovely spot for a warm summer’s evening.
We had noisy sheep dogs too when we lived there. Have climbed Worsaw a couple of times. It’s a lovely spot.
A magic area.
I wonder which one it was. Not Downham Hall I guess 🙂
Little Mearley Hall under Pendle.
Little Mearley Hall. Still a hall…but not as posh. 😊
Far more homely looking plus it has windows from Sawley Abbey which must be unique.
The dog doesn’t look too friendly but I like the colourful car. Love the Eagles too and that’s one of my favourite tracks 🙂
I was surprised by the dog as it came for me, I always wonder how strong are the chains. Shame to keep them tied up all day.
The car belonged to a mug printing firm.
I was whistling, can’t sing, that tune all day.
All the best. You have done well over the last few weeks. There seems to be endless variety within a shirt distance of your home. It seems ages since I’ve had some fresh air but circumstances keep conspiring against me.
Let’s hope in the not too distant future we can meet up outdoors for some of our outstanding projects.
All the very best to you and family.
I’ve been taking a rest from WordPress over Christmas so just catching up on your posts.
Lovely countryside and villages around there. I was up there for a walk in the summer and trod part of your route.
All the best for the New Year
Downham is a very popular destination as recent crowds have shown.
All the very best to you and yours, we are going to need it.
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