A circular walk from Downham
- Pendleton - Worston
distance 10.11 miles : time 5 hours


The
walk to Mearley Hall is straightforward. (15 min)

Carry
on through the complex and look for the start of the FP
30 yds on the left after the cattle grid. Walk uphill following
the wire fence and stream to the barn. Keep to the left
of the barn and go over the ladder stile; the path continues
to Howcroft Barn. Just before the barn the path leads to
a footbridge over Howcroft Brook. After the barn follow
the stone wall on the right until it start to bend; now
head due south along the narrow path. The path emerges
(with luck) at the ski slope. Walk uphill along the road
to the Nick of Pendle. The FP to Pendleton start on the
right just before the summit. (45 min)

Walk
down hill and look for the small white gate on the right
along the rough rack. The path goes to the right of Wymondhouses
and emerges at a white gate. Go straight ahead through
the squeezer stile in the stone wall and follow the line
of the old hedge to its end. Turn right along the top of
the field. Carry on over the stile, turn sharp left and
follow the hedge down hill to the footbridge over the beck.
Follow the beck to Pendleton and the Swan with Two Necks.
(35 min)

From
the pub walk back along the main street to the T-juction
at Pendleton Hall. Carry straight on along the farm road
to Mearley Hall, Lane Side, and Little Mearley Hall. After
passing the entrance to the latter, carry on for 80 yds
and go through the gate on the left at the cattle grid.
Follow the wire fence on the right to the top right-hand
corner of the field. There is no stile here giving access
to the old metal gate on the other side. Walk down the
field to the stile and then on to Worston. At the main
road turn left for The Calf's Head. (1hr 15 min)

Walk
back along the road from the pub; the FP start on the left
at Worston Beck. The path is well waymarked across sheep
pasture and generally follows the course of Worston Beck.
At Worsaw End House turn left to the stile and follow the
stone wall. After the stile head across the field to the
squeezer stile just before Longlands Wood and then on to
Downham. (40 min)
A
circular walk from Downham to Pendleton & Worston
The
walk starts at the car park in Downham. Follow Downham Beck
out of the village. In the field waymarkers then point the
way to Clay House following the stream. At Clay House go over
the stone stile and take the farm track to the right. At the
main road turn right and find the farm track on the left after
30 yds. Keep to the left of the first house and go over the
first stone stile. After the next stile carry on in a straight
line (bearing 240º) across the field to the double gate
leading to Hookcliffe. Just before the farm at the gate turn
sharp left. Walk uphill across the field to meet the stile
and FP sign and grassy track to Barkerfield.
50 yds before Barkerfield look for double metal gate on the
left and take the grassy path which leads to the left of the
house and continue to Moorside. Enter the farm over a stone
stile; the track to Angram Green continues after the farm yard.
At the end of the track the FP sign is found on the left. The
path leads to the left of Angram Green and continues along
the wire fence. At the wooden gate turn sharp right and then
sharp left after 20 yds at the next gate. Follow the hedge
on the left and at the gate and water trough continue over
the field to the top left-hand corner. Go through the metal
gate and follow the stone wall on the right into the farm complex.
A series of double gates is encountered before the track to
Little Mearley Hall is reached. Turn right and then left for
the track to Mearley Hall. (1 hr 15 min)
171117
This walk takes in three beautiful villages which lie in
the north-west shadow of Pendle: Downham, Pendleton, and Worston. As luck
would have it each village has a lovely pub: The Assheton Alms, The Swan with
Two Necks, and The Calf's Head respectively.
As described the walk starting in Downham is quite long (9-10 miles) and takes
about 5 hours. However shorter routes can be taken: Downham - Little Measley
Hall - Worston or Pendleton - Mearley Hall - Nick of Pendle. There are plenty
of car parks available so other starting points are available.
Whatever route is chosen the going is fairly easy; only the path to the Nick
of Pendle requires some uphill work.
From Downham to Pendleton the view to the north is mainly over Clitheroe towards
Longridge Fell, and Parlick and Wolf's Fell. Whilst to the left Pendle looms
high. The immediate landscape is typical sheep country.