Downham village Lancashire.
The picturesque village of Downham is set at the foot of Pendle Hill and captures the essence of rural Britain, yet remains a secret gem. The family of Lord Clitheroe, known as the Asshetons, effectively own the village, which is one of the loveliest in Lancashire. The houses and cottages are stone-built, there are no road markings, no overhead cables, no TV aerials and no horrible Sky satellite dishes to spoil the view. The village has been used for many films, the most famous being 'Whistle Down the Wind' starring Alan Bates and Hayley Mills. The surrounding area was the inspiration for J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle Earth in the Lord of the Rings saga. And, the BBC chose it to film the series 'Born and Bred' which starred James Bolam, Michael French, Maggie Steed, John Henshaw and Jenna Russell.
Downham village sits close to an old Roman road and it is in an area that was said to be the haunt of the infamous Lancashire witches. The impressive bulk of Pendle Hill towers almost 1900 feet above the village. Tales of witchcraft in and around Downham have abounded since early on in the 17th-century when ten witches from near here were tried and then hanged at Lancaster Castle.
The architectural uniform style of the village is due to the Assheton family who have watched over the village since the 13th-century when they built Downham Hall. Not a great deal altered here until the early part of the 18th-century when the generosity of the Asshetons made improvements to the village. More homes were built and a vast sum of money was spent enhancing St. Leonards Church. The Asshetons built a school for the village and added a grand Regency facade to Downham Hall.
Downhams church and the Assheton Arms (the village inn) are close to Downham Hall at the top of the village. The church bells are said to have been removed from Whalley Abbey when it was ""dissolved"" (aka ""demolished"") by Henry VIII in 1537. The church also has a 16th century font given to the church by Abbot Paslew, the last monk in charge of Whalley Abbey.
At the opposite end of the village an old stone bridge spans a sparkling stream, another village green is surrounded by old stone houses and cottages.
All around is lovely open countryside. Rich farmlands are hidden away in the quiet lanes and contented sheep and cattle graze in meadows that front gracious old stone farmhouses, it is a place of quiet serenity.
This video shows an example of what sights I recorded on a short day trip on Saturday 17th April 2010.
With many thanks
Simon Flory
Badger Specialist
www.badgerland.co.uk
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