Beautiful Lancashire

[Mathos]

We tried another of those "Toby Carveries"

Brilliant value for money:





Choice of roast from Turkey (on the bone) Roast Ham, Roast beef or you van have a few pieces of each and the portions are excellent. As much veg as you want giant size Yorkshire Pudding if you want etc etc. Four double pots of tea for us. £26..00 for the four of us all in.

You can go back for as much extra veg as you desire as well.

Service was excellent value of the food in general was brilliant.

[Mathos]

Another really nice street photograph as well. Doors on the front of these houses, as we have seen previously, opening directly onto the road.





This was attractive, a three story terrace of cottages. The rather special beauty is brilliant.



I think I have one or two more snaps of this balcony.

It looked somewhat insecure to me.



It's no doubt been there many years though and withstood the testing of time without incident.


Nice cottage here as well:-




Flobo wants to know if I was an 'Estate Agent' in another life.

[Happyman]

Nice post !
Only a glimpse of one trout stream
Got a internet connection WiFi and am going back through your recent postings - some interesting features there !

Give me a bit of time - a bit preoccupied at the moment !

Cheers !

[Mathos]

Originally Posted by Happyman

Nice post !
Only a glimpse of one trout stream
Got a internet connection WiFi and am going back through your recent postings - some interesting features there !

Give me a bit of time - a bit preoccupied at the moment !

Cheers !

Take your time Happyman, and thanks a lot, trust your health is improving OK as well.


Have you caught any nurses yet?

[Happyman]

Maybe I will tie a fly around a 1000 baht note and see if that works

[Mathos]

Originally Posted by Happyman

Maybe I will tie a fly around a 1000 baht note and see if that works

I once knew a guy who had a series of outbuildings on several acres of land just south of Southport.

He bred exotic and oriental birds of so many different types it was unbelievable.

To gain entry to the land and pass between the different buildings you had to go through various pools of disinfectant etc.

He was breeding many species that had almost become extinct in Vietnam following the war and the use of 'Agent Orange'

The parrots he had in the various aviaries were superb.

He had one large outbuilding and all the feathers which came off the birds in the various stages of their existence were taken there.

Then he had a section where the same were turned into the fancy feathers for fishing.

They were placed into small boxes with plastic tops and then into trays of a dozen, maybe more, I can't remember.

Whilst I am not able to recollect the prices each feather and hook was fetching throughout the land and perhaps further afield, I seem to recall it surprised me greatly.

[Mathos]

Getting back to the Castle at Castleton.





I found a very interesting account of the same on The Net:-





Peveril Castle stands in an impregnable position on a clifftop above Castleton, flanked by the steep side of Cavedale. It is an evocative place, with an impressive view in all directions and sufficient ruined remains to construct a good idea of how the castle looked in its heyday. The castle bears the name of William Peveril, who was granted the title of bailiff of the Royal Manors of the Peak - in effect the King's agent for the Royal Forest of the Peak - after the Norman conquest of 1066. Peveril is thought to have been an illegitimate son of William I.

Peveril created Castleton and in 1080 he fortified the site of the present castle and constructed a wooden keep. Later, these buildings were converted into stone. However, Peveril's son (also called William) became too independent for Henry II, and in 1155 the King confiscated the Peveril estates and the castle has belonged to the Crown or the Duchy of Lancaster ever since.

Henry visited Castleton several times, to hunt and, on one occasion, to meet King Malcolm of Scotland, who paid homage to Henry here in 1157. The court records show that an enormous amount of wine was consumed on this occasion!

The castle fell into disuse after Tudor times, and by the 17th century only the keep was in use - as a courthouse. When this was abandoned the castle gradually became ruined until what remained was restored this century.

You enter the castle up a very steep climb from Castleton, but this was not the original main approach, which went up Goosehill and zig-zagged up the hill to approach along the ridge above Cavedale which reaches towards the keep. Peveril dug a breach in this ridge to create a moat which had a wooden bridge across it. Sadly, this bridge has gone and not been replaced.





Peveril Castle keep
The Castleton entrance leads in through the remains of a gatehouse which was built in the 12th century and into the main courtyard of the castle. Around this is the remains of a curtain wall, which was constructed in early Norman times by the Peverils, and includes Roman tiles which presumably were taken from the ruins of the Roman fort at Navio (Brough).

Dominating the site are the remains of the keep, which was built by Henry II in 1176 and is relatively well preserved. The keep was originally about 60 feet high and was faced with fine gritstone blocks, which still remain on the east and south sides. It dominates the view across both Castleton and Cavedale below. Inside the courtyard it is possible to trace the foundations of a Great Hall and kitchens and other buildings, but it is the view across the surrounding countryside which is the finest feature of the visit.

The castle is now in the care of English Heritage.


This photograph is from a different angle.



There are some amazing Castles throughout Britain.

On a personal basis, I'd like to see them all restored to their former glory.

We certainly have the materials and craftsmen to carry out such tasks. However, the powers that be appear to be content in leaving them in their states of ruin and deterioration.

There's an additional interesting link here as well with more additional information on interesting places in the locality.


Hope Valley | Peak District Towns and Villages | Staffordshire ...
Peveril Castle, Peveril Castle, Castleton, Hope Valley. A Norman and mediaeval castle founded in 1080 by William Peveril - an illegitimate son of William I ...

[Mathos]

The Church at Castleton was also very imposing.





The Church is St Edmunds.
I do have a general fixation with the outstanding architecture associated with so many of our older churches.



The interior of this was quite striking.




The ropes for the bell tower and obvious ringing schedules were hanging around this gallery.

I happen to like the ringing of Church Bells myself, there is something 'Very British' about the sound of the bells especially on a Sunday morning or around Christmas time.

Nostalgia maybe..


This particular photograph taken by Flobo shows a little more of the surroundings. The location was outstanding.




Also an additional photograph she took from the interior.




Extremely beautiful.

Brilliant link here as well.

BeenThere-DoneThat: The Derbyshire Peak District - Castleton.
Picture of St. Edmund's Church, Castleton, Derbyshire Peak District, St. Edmund's Church, Castleton. This church dates from Norman times and shows all ...


There is a special day with regards to Castleton and the church which may interest some readers:-

It's May 29th and the very ancient ceremony of 'Garlanding' is carried out with the Church playing a very important part in the festival.

They parade a garland of freshly cut flowers through the streets of Castleton, it is then hauled up to the top of the Church Tower and remains there for a whole week.

It's a very ancient pagan ceremony to celebrate the ending of winter and commemorates simultaneously the restoration of Charles 11 to the throne of England, following Cromwell's rule.

[Mathos]

I'm always very interested in property prices. Sometimes it's possible to pick up quite a bargain.

Property in The Uk at present in most areas and certainly the major towns and suburbs attached to them is dropping at quite an alarming rate.

However, at present these rural oplaces are in general holding out quite well, and property is selling in such sought after locations.



I thought I would check this one out with regards to the price, I was somewhat surprised.



Hope Croft

(Alsop Road/Shaw Lane) Parwich
3 Bedrooms
£365,000

* A SPACIOUS COTTAGE FULL OF CHARACTER LYING THE HEART OF THE UNSPOILT DERBYSHIRE VILLAGE OF PARWICH *

Hope Croft as wonderful three bedroomed accommodation with courtyard providing views to the village and hills beyond. Accommodation briefly comprises: Through sitting/dining room, snug, breakfast kitchen, rear hall, utility room, lobby to cloakroom, inner lobby. Three bedroos, en suite shower room to bedroom one, family bathroom. Good sized driveway providing parking leadinto attached garage. Small hard landscaped area, covered walkway leading to courtyard.

[Mathos]

This was interesting too.

There's a very beautiful little Village called Grindon in the area visited.

The local Pub The Cavalier appeared to have run it's days out and was for sale.





I thought the building was really nice.

I have come across some fantastic old pubs over the last few years that would have made sensational residences.

It's not always a simple task though to obtain planning permission.

This link will give you an idea of how things can be at times.

PDF]
8. FULL APPLICATION – CHANGE OF USE OF PUBLIC HOUSE TO FULLY ...

File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - View as HTML
The Cavalier Inn is located on a bend in the road in the village of Grindon. The main building is a. traditional building of solid appearance. ...
resources.peakdistrict.gov.uk/ctte/planning/reports/2008/080613Item6-8.pdf - Similar pages



This shows a good view of the area and pub.

<LI class=g>The Cavalier Inn, Grindon:: OS grid SK0854 :: Geograph British ...

<LI class=g>SK0854 :: The Cavalier Inn, Grindon, near to Grindon, Staffordshire County, Great Britain




I think it would make a really nice private house myself.

[Mathos]

It's surprising how Council Bodies and builders vary throughout the land with regards to development projects.

There are numerous 'old mills' in the Lancashire and Yorkshire areas of the country especially.

From what I have seen the majority are converted to some quite spectacular living accommodation.

However, every now and then, you do come across them being totally flattened and the land being used for housing development areas.



There's quite a bit of hardcore left to move as well. Problem being at present in the UK though and perhaps every where else, redevelopment appears to have ground to a full stop in the wake of a period of serious recession.




Quite interesting to see the chimney is still left intact as well. I hope they leave it as some form of feature or simple landmark, it's a shame to see so many knocked down.

They did represent so much.

Once upon a time in "The North."





You wouldn't have seen a sign like this in earlier days.

They just knocked down or prepared the land and got on with it. A simple board up, x number of three, four and five bedroomed homes being built etc.

It will be interesting to see how long this banner graces the front here.

[Mathos]

The older stone built premises represent far much more with quality in the general structure in my opinion.

I've looked at a great number of new developments over the last few years especially. Prices are outrageous in general and the standards of building are nothing like as decent a quality as you would expect for the money.




I wouldn't mind betting an odd quid or two that these houses have no partition walls built from 3 x 2 and plasterboard.



Some, if not all of the stone built residences and other that I have placed on this thread over the last few months have represented beautiful building standards in the general conception of the word.




Can't say I agree with how this garage is utilised though, it seems and looks a strange part of the home in general, I'd be converting that to part of the residence if it was mine.


Several of the photographs we took last Tuesday were spoiled by the weather conditions and the fact that we did not like getting wet all that much.




This particular photograph was taken in The Goyt Valley. Unfortunately it really did throw some heavy stuff down when we were there, so almost all the snaps we did take were spoiled.

The Valley rests in between the borders of Cheshire and Derbyshire. It's a very beautiful place and will be well worth an additional visit on a good weather day.

It's classed a 'The Honeypot' area of The National Park as well.
Goyt of course originally meant stream or course of water.

The Link here is exceptional, it has several pages of outstanding information and photographs of The Goyt Valley and additional links to other very interesting places in The Peak District especially.

Goyt Valley, near Buxton, Derbyshire Peak District UK
The Goyt Valley is crisscrossed by a maze of excellent well sign-posted ... Please note : The Goyt Valley is within the Peak District National Park and is ...
www.buxtononline.net/Buxton-Online98/Buxton-Online-Derbyshire-Peak-District-

[Mathos]

Apologies for neglect on thread this week.

However, I have done some posts on the Mae Sot Thoughts thread under Travellers Tales.

Back on here soon.

[Mathos]

Didn't quite get sorted exactly how we would have liked to have done of late, but we managed a short trip around the Trough of Bowland for a few hours today and managed to get some nice photographs in between the downpours of rain and sleet.

At times though the weather was really good.




This was a nice village, Pendleton.

As the name suggests it has a strong link with Pendle Hill.


There's some interesting information here taken from The Net and of course you can delve much deeper into the association with Witch Burning and Lancaster Castle for instance.



The Pendle District

by
Dean Halsall

The Pendle District of Lancashire is famous for many reasons. In 1652 George Fox had his vision on Pendle Hill that led to the foundation of the Quaker movement. John Wesley the founder of Methodist was inspired by the dramatic Lancashire landscape and in 1920 Frank Whittle developed the jet engine in the mill sheds and skies of Pendle.
Most famous of all is the story of the Pendle Witches. In 1612 Alizon Devices, granddaughter of Demdike, was arrested for appearing to paralyse a pedlar with a curse. Alizon confessed to witchcraft and also incriminated Demdike and Chattox, an old lady from a rival family. Chattox's daughter Anne Redfearn was also implicated and sent for trial in Lancaster along with the other three.
A month later, following the find of incriminating evidence, which included human bones stolen from the Newchurch graveyard and a clay image used by James Devices to cause the death of a neighbour, three other members of the Devices family and a gentlewoman called Alice Nutter from nearby Roughlee were sent to Lancaster for trial. Demdike died in prison before the trial began.
The trial started on the 17th August 1612. The witches were found guilty and on the 20th they were hung at Lancaster in front of huge crowds.
In Newchurch you will find the Witches Galore Shop and also the eye of God on St. Mary's church tower which people believed protected them from evil.
The Pendle Witches Trail takes you on some of the most beautiful countryside in Britain. Starting in Barrowford it goes through Pendle and the Ribble Valley, ending at Lancaster Castle. The Witches Trail can be followed by car, minibus, bike or foot.
Another long distance route is The Pendle Way, a 45-mile circular route that can be walked over several days. Alternatively, the route has been segmented into shorter circular walks.
One segment starts and finishes at the Visitors Centre in the village of Barley. A footpath takes you over a hill and into the village of Newchurch where you join the Pendle Way. While in Newchurch visit the church and Witches Galore Shop.
From here the walk crosses farmland to Lower and Upper Ogden Reservoirs before beginning a steady climb to the summit of Pendle Hill (1838ft/557m). From the top of Pendle Hill the footpath drops back into Barley. The route is 6 miles on mainly good footpaths.
For additional local information contact Barnoldswick Tourist Information Centre Tel: 01282 666704.
If you prefer let us guide you, we have several dates for walks in Pendle including the 6 mile walk above. We also have plans to guide a walk along the full distance of the Pendle Way over three or four days sometime this year and accommodation, if required, is plentiful in this picturesque area of Lancashire.


Related:
Lancashire Walks





The Village of Pendleton is extremely beautiful, I'll put quite a few more photographs on later, some in an additional post after this, and then some more tomorrow.

[Mathos]

What a superb village though.




The village itself is separated by a beautiful stream running through the centre of the main road.

The village has been awarded the status of a conservation area.




It really does Lancashire and Britain in general proud.


What a beautiful Barn conversion we have here as well:-







There's an interesting article here taken from the Lancashire Telegraph.


THOUSANDS of visitors face being turned away from Pendle Hill this Hallowe’en because of concerns over safety.

Cars will be banned from parking on the hill on Friday, October 31, from 5pm to 3am, and popular fairground rides and mobile catering units which have headed for the area in recent years will also be turned away.

Pendle Hill has become a hotspot at Hallowe’en attracting thousands of visitors from across the region.

But concerns over the size of the event, traffic problems, the health and safety of pedestrians and alcohol related issues have prompted the measures to be brought in.

Chairman of the Event Safety Advisory Group, Ribble Valley Council emergency planning officer Chris Shuttleworth, said: “Pendle Hill now attracts thousands of visitors in the mistaken belief that an official event is taking place.

“Over the past two years, the event has become progressively worse in its atmosphere and behaviour.

“The new measures have been brought into place for reasons of health and safety, welfare, law and order, and we are asking for the cooperation of the general public.”

The Event Safety Advisory Group comprises Ribble Valley Borough Council, Lancashire Constabulary, Lancashire Highways, the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, Lancashire Ambulance Service, Lancashire Countryside Service and the Health and Safety Executive.

Inspector Jenny Coulston, of Ribble Valley Police, added: “It has been necessary to take this action to ensure safety on Pendle Hill at Hallowe’en.”

Motorists heading for Pendle Hill via the A59 will not be allowed to stop until they reach Sabden, where they will be allowed to park and walk up the hill.

Pendle Hill will be closed to all traffic travelling from Sabden and access to the Wellsprings Inn at the Nick o’ Pendle will be by ticket only.

Traffic coming into Sabden via Whalley Road from the direction of Whalley or Accrington will have to exit the village via Padiham Road in the direction of Black or White Hill, or park their car and walk up Pendle Hill.

Traffic coming into Sabden via Black or White Hill from the direction of Padiham, Burnley, the M65, or M66, will have to exit the village via Whalley Road, or park and walk up Pendle Hill.

[Mathos]

It's a very impressive village from one end to the other.




It's quite amazing as well, it's only twenty miles from 'our house' there is a tendency to go further afield for places such as this village.

Human nature isn't it, taking things for granted.




A tremendous amount of beauty here without any doubt at all.




Some of the homes were special. There was a certain warmth about the village, which you don't really find enough of nowadays.





How do you match such a display of natural beauty.

[Mathos]

Whichever way you looked, the settings had a certain nature about them that were good, indeed, if not special.




The Village Post office had lost it's presence but had been tastefully converted to living accomodation in it's entirety without any loss of character.




The main feature though, the stream was fantastic.




This one refers to the Swan ******




No it doesn't. I hit the wrong photograph there. The Swan with Two Necks is in Pendleton.

This pub room was from a really nice Pub which we had lunch at in Downham.

Downham nestles under the bulk of Pendle Hill itself, tucked away really neatly.

I'll write up further on the Swan and of course Downham later.

The Village is remembered as the location for the film:-

"Whistle Down The Wind" Hayley Mills I think way back in time. Recently it was used for the BBC drama series "Born and Bread"

screenonline: Whistle Down The Wind (1961)
Bryan Forbes' directorial debut gave Hayley Mills her best-loved role.



More to follow.

[Mathos]

The Swan With Two Necks, from all accounts it's quite a popular pub in the vicinity, excellent food and outstanding variations in beers.




The location itself is outstanding. The ideal place I would think to sit outside enjoying a pint on a summers evening listening to the babbling of the stream flowing through the village towards the river.



There are normally four real ales on tap. The same are from reports all well kept and rotated on a regular basis. The food is all home cooked and is of a high standard. Well recommended in general.

The pub boasts roaring fires during the winter months and has an excellent beer garden to the rear.

There weren't a great number of residential homes in trhe small village. Obviously hamlets of this unique form always command a high price for property when it is available for sale. That doesn't appear to happen a great deal though.

The very small two bedroom cottage here was for rent.



I checked the monthly rent out, it was £675..00 p.c.m.


Gorgeous location though.

[Mathos]

We were impressed with the total village, it was extremely attractive in all manners.





There were some gorgeous scenic views, panoramic without doubt all around this area, well and truly a delightful place to visit.




These photographs really deserve viewing on a full screen and deserve being committed to your photograph manager.




It didn't half rain here and there though, especially in the morning, but it was worth dodging an odd heavy shower of rain or sleet to snatch a few photographs here and there when the sun broke through for a while.

[Mathos]

We made our way towards the village of Sawley.



This row of terraced cottages looked gorgeous too.

Front and rear.


I don't know anything about the originality of the cottages. They looked superb, I will try and find out as to their origin etc.

The village was built around the now ruined 'Sawley Abbey' on the banks of The Ribble.

The name apparently means 'Damp Spot where the Willows grow'

The original Abbey was founded by William Percy in 1147.

We have some really nice photographs of the ruins which I will down load and put on here over the next couple of days.



There are a couple of interesting links here as well.

Sawley Abbey : Sawley Abbey : North West Region : Local ...

It's interesting to note that The Abbey was abandoned by the Monks in 1537 due to 'The Failed Pilgrimage of Grace' which attempted to challenge Henry V111's orders to close the monastries.

Alas the stomne from the abbey was plundered to build the village and now only part of the original church and cloisters remain.

Sawley Abbey, Lancashire, England


Two really good links above, well worth viewing.




As you can see the countryside around here is mesmerising.





I can see a busy Winter coming up as well re-visiting a lot of these places we have been covering over the last few months.