A-C Guide to Villages
BASHALL EAVES
Do you believe in fairies? A visit to Bashall Eaves may bring you closer to the truth as the locals say that the nearby 'Fairy Bridge' was once built by fairies to help an old woodcutter who was being pursued by witches!
From fairies to facts, here you can discover Browsholme Hall, one of the most historic mansions in the district, and for centuries has been the family seat of the Parkers, former Bow-bearers of Bowland. The Hall is a handsome structure dating from the time of Henry VII, and contains a wealth of treasures, the most famous one being the human skull kept in a locked cupboard. For legend has it that disaster will strike if it is seen by anyone other than members of the family. Another legend says that deaths in the family will be foretold by the appearance of a white horse in the grounds!
Also in Bashall Eaves - Bashall Barn Food Visitor Centre, Backridge Farm, Red Pump Inn
BOLTON-BY-BOWLAND
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Overlooking the meandering River Ribble you'll find the tranquil and charming village of Bolton-by-Bowland, with its two village greens. The smaller green contains the remains of a 13th Century stone cross and old stocks.
The village was recorded as Bodeton in the Domesday Book, meaning bow in the river. Overlooking the River Ribble is Rainsber Scar, which is a beautiful spot - known locally as Pudsay's leap where William Pudsay is said to have made the leap on horseback when being chased by soldiers for illegally minting his own coins. (According to legend his godmother, Queen Elizabeth I later pardoned him)
Also in Bolton-by-Bowland - Holden Clough Nursery
CHAIGLEY
Home to the Higher Hodder Bridge, Chaigley is a starting point for many explorations into the stunning Forest of Bowland. The riverside footpath between the lower and higher Hodder bridges is particularly beautiful. Let the kids paddle in the shallow reaches of the river in summer, a honeypot for family picnics and relaxation.
CHATBURN
Chatburn is situated in a hollow between the two ridges, which slope towards the River Ribble just off the A59 Clitheroe to Skipton road on the outskirts of Clitheroe. It is thought that the village derived its name from St Ceatt or Chad. The stately spire of the Parish Church dominates the building, which was erected about 1838. Chatburn used to have a cotton mill but due to the decline in the textile industry this has been demolished. The main industries that remain are the manufacture of cement and road surface materials.
Also in Chatburn - Hudson's Ice Cream shop.
CHIPPING
All roads lead to Chipping! And upon entering this picturesque village, you'll soon see why it has been named Winner of Britain in Bloom's Gold Medal Award & Best Village Award 2009.
On the slopes of the River Loud, you'll learn that in Medieval times you would have found no less than five water mills sighted along Chipping beck. This is a conservation area with fabulous stone-built cottages, a 17th century school and alms houses endowed by John Brabin, dyer and cloth merchant. The village also has a 13th century church, which was partly re-built in 1505 and in 1706 and again in the nineteenth century. The font has been in use for over 400 years.
For a bewitching ghost story you can learn about the story of Lizzy Dean, a serving wench at the Sun Inn. She was engaged to be married to a local man. On the morning of her wedding, on hearing the church bells, she looked out of the window of her room in the Sun Inn and saw her bridegroom leaving the church with another bride on his arm. She hanged herself in the attic of the pub. Her last request was that her grave be dug in the path to the church so that her ex-boyfriend had to walk over it every Sunday. She died in 1835 aged 20 and is said to still haunt the Sun Inn.
Also in Chipping - Leagram's Organic Cheeses, Brabin's Shop and Gallery, The Cobbled Corner Cafe, Tillotsons, Bowland Wild Boar Park .
Please visit the Village Website for more information on Chipping in Bloom.
