Tag: #pendlehill

Witch Sculpture Trail Barley Pendle Hill

Last week, Paul, the brother of my dear friend from Sydney Ann, took me for a wonderful country drive around Lancashire and came across this sculpture trail. It is a trail which takes 2 hours and we did not have enough daylight to look into this part of the countryside. Today, I had the opportunity to do the sculpture walk with Barbara, who is a wiccan. She is the mother of identical twins Becki and Hana who lived with me in Sydney. Barbara asked what I would like to see in her part of the world while I was travelling and I asked about this sculpture trail as I thought it would be of interest to her also. We had a fabulous day walking through this gorgeous countryside. It is so different to anything I have seen in Australia. We started with scones and hot chocolate in The Cabin in Barley. Must stop here before or after the numerous walks around Pendle Hill.

The Cabin Cafe

Then we started out to find the sculpture trail. Barbara was concerned about the mist, fog and rain and I was determined not to allow anything to deter us from this walk, even with the bitter cold which I do not particularly cope well with. Anyone who knows me would be surprised with me saying this, but this is such beautiful countryside and it is England. If I cannot cope with this weather I should not be here. But no matter how cold, how stunning is this!! The rain stayed away, the sun tried to peek through and the cold was bearable. At least it didn’t snow.

Black Moss Reservoir

When we found the sculpture trail I have to say that the first two art pieces did not excite me. I didn’t quite understand how they are witch related.

But then we came across this creepy but enchanting chair with other mythical creatures.

my favourite wood nymph

The trail has ceramic tiles which represent the 10 “witches” who were hanged and hold clues for a quiz.

The Witch Finder General.

Witch finder general

Some other pieces of interest.

A couple of witches at the Pendle Hill Inn at the end of the trail.

We finished off the day with dinner in Preston at the Bistrot Pierre. Highly recommend this place.

Thank you Barbara for a memorable day.

Lancashire drive

Today a dear friend, Ann, who lives in Sydney, arranged for me to meet up with her brother, Paul, who is a Lancashire local. He kindly introduced me to some lovely parts of Lancashire I would not be able to experience without a car. The beautiful countryside. We drove through the tiny roads through villages, exactly like the travel shows and movies, with dry walls, sheep, lovely farm houses and green fields or moors.

Stopped off at a couple of pubs, one of which the Pendle Hill. This area is famed for witches. There is a steep walk up a hill to a “Bronze Age” burial site at the top of the hill. Unfortunately by the time we got there is was getting too dark to climb the 557 metre “hill”. One of it’s claim to fame is the Pendle Hill witch trials in 1612

One of my favourite stops was the Top Lock at Wheelton. There is a pub at the end of the Lock which is on the Liverpool Leeds Canal. I love the barges on the canals in England. I hope I get the opportunity to stay on one.

Ye Old Hob Inn was built in 1616 with its original thatched roof and infamous history of the Battle of Bamber Bridge. People in the 1600s must have been short as the roof is so low!!