Local Information

Sightseeing opportunities and attractions

  1. Pendle Heritage Centre (PDF 882kb)
  2. Short Walks - Gisburn Circular Walk
  3. Short Walks - Downham Circular Walk

* Excellent country pubs and restaurants close by.
* Shop and Post Office in nearby Gisburn.
* The Ribble Valley and Forest of Bowland (AONB) Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
* Within easy travelling distance of the Lake District, west coast and Yorkshire Dales.
* Many local mill shops for those who enjoy shopping.
* The historic market towns of Skipton, Clitheroe and Settle within easy driving distance.
* Only an hours drive from the coast and Blackpool.
* Leeds, Bradford, and Manchester City Centres are within an hour drive away as is the Trafford Centre.
* Pendle witch country dominated by the mysterious Pendle Hill..
* Haworth the birthplace of the Bronte sisters.
* Visitor centres
* Skipton Castle
* Clitheroe Castle
* Local Golf Courses
* Leisure Centres

Walking and Cycling

* We have many local footpaths, you can walk across fields down quiet lanes or explore our local open access moorland on Weets Hill to get panoramic views of the Ribble Valley, Forest of Bowland, and the Yorkshire Dales. If you want a walking holiday in East Lancashire, The Forest of Bowland or The Yorkshire Dales, or all three we are the perfect location.

* We are also only a short distance from the Pendle Way, Ribble Way and the Pennine Way long distance paths. Within a short drive away the choices for walking are endless everything from gentle strolls to challenging hiking are all available. Please take a look at some of the leaflets below to give you a flavour of the places you could explore and we have many more leaflets and walking guides in the cottage for you to use. During September a walking festival is held in Pendle with guided walks.

* There are plenty of places to cycle or mountain bike close by, and on the farm. We have quiet lanes to nearby Rimington, Gisburn, and Barnoldswick plus unmade tracks for you to explore such as Coal Pit Lane.

* Gisburn Forest has a 16 km network of tracks from the gentle to the challenging. The Forest of Bowland and the Yorkshire Dales have endless places to cycle.

* The best map for the area is Ordnance Survey OL41 Forest of Bowland & Ribblesdale

Pendle

  1. Pendle Hill Walk (PDF 892kb)
  2. Ogden Reservoir and Fell Wood (PDF 260kb)
  3. Aitken Wood (PDF 265kb)
  4. Black Moss Reservoirs (PDF 301kb)
  5. Pendle cycleway (PDF 1.2mb)
  6. Pennine cycleway (PDF 2.0mb)
  7. Wycoller Country Park (PDF 601kb)
  8. Ferndean Manor (PDF 892kb)

Ribble Valley

  1. Clitheroe Walks (No. 1) (PDF 677kb)
  2. Clitheroe Walks (No. 2) (PDF 623kb)
  3. Clitheroe Walks (No. 3) (PDF 726kb)
  4. Clitheroe Walks (No. 4) (PDF 634kb)

Forest of Bowland

  1. Gisburn Forest Guide (PDF 313kb)
  2. Gisburn Forest Family cycle route leaflet (PDF 232kb)
  3. Stocks Reservoir Walk (PDF 610kb)
  4. Forest of Bowland AONB Map (PDF 4,589kb)
  5. Forest of Bowland AONB General Information (PDF 4,029kb)
  6. Forest of Bowland AONB Access Land (PDF 6,420kb)
  7. Forest of Bowland AONB Treading Carefully (PDF 268kb)
  8. Bowland By Bike (PDF 3,466kb)
  9. Tolkien Trail, Walk in the footsteps of author J.R.R. Tolkien (PDF 380kb)

Roughlee Trout Fishery

* A delightful spring and river fed Fly Fishery. 2.5 acre lake open (all year from 8am until dusk. Stocked with Rainbow and Blue Trout to double figures. Native Brown Trout (which must be returned) are also present. Fishing is from bank only. Roughlee Trout Fishery actively encourages junior and anglers new to Fly Fishing.

Roughlee Trout Fishery www.roughleetroutfishery.com Location SD843402

Stocks Fly Fishery

* Stocks Reservoir is the largest fishery in the North West of England. It was created in the early 1930s by flooding the village of Dale Head and adjacent farmland to provide drinking water for the Fylde. Situated at the head of the Hodder Valley in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Stocks has a wild and unspoiled quality, the perfect place for a days fly fishing.

* Full and half day bank and boat fishing tickets available. Tuition and guide service available.

Stocks Fly Fishery www.stocksreservoir.com Location SD717554

Raygill Fishing Lakes

* Fly fishing for brown, blue, rainbow & golden trout on two well stocked lakes. Two picturesque coarse lakes are stocked with roach, bream, carp, tench, chub, orfe, perch, crucian carp, rudd & gudgeon.

Raygill Fishing Lakes www.raygillfisheries.co.uk

Visit Pendle

* There are lots of things to see and lots of things to do in Pendle. A warm welcome awaits you in the colourful and mysterious Pendle villages. Whether you're looking to wind down, or just get away from the hustle and bustle then Malkin Tower Farm Holiday Cottages in Pendle is the right choice, at the right price. Our beautiful scenery is ideal for a serious hike up the Majestic Pendle Hill or a gentle stroll down to the local pub.

* We are only 5 minutes away from Pendle Heritage Centre in Barrowford, here you can relax in the gardens, visit the museum or have a bite to eat in the cafe.

* Visit Newchurch in Pendle, where it is said that St Mary's Church is one of the oldest churches in Lancashire. Here you can see the eye of God in the tower and in the graveyard it is said, is the famous grave stone of Alice Nutter one of the Pendle Witches.

* Also in Newchurch is the renowned shop, Witches Galore, where thousands of visitors from all over the World come every year. Here you can buy souvenirs of Pendle or even take home a witch.

* Downham is just a short drive away. This beautiful village is the place were Born and Bred is filmed. However, it is ideal for those summer afternoon picnics along side the stream where the children can feed the many ducks that live here.

* Another place to visit is the village of Barley here you can relax along side of the stream and just watch the world go by or walk up Pendle Hill. Drinks, Ice Cream and food are available in the newly opened Cabin situated in the Car Park.

* In the village of Blacko there is the Cross Gaites Inn, which is said to have been a pub for 1000 years. Here you can relax in front of a real fire, enjoy one of the many special beers on offer and have a good meal.

* Blacko Tower dominates the sky line of Blacko, this folly was built by John Stansfield in 1899.

* From Blacko you can enjoy one of the many walks down at the Watermeetings. This will take you into the heart of Pendle and the villages of Roughlee, Barley, and Newchurch.

* Pony trekking, Clay pigeon shooting, Golf, Swimming at Wavelengths in Nelson, are all within a short distance of Malkin Tower Farm Holiday Cottages