The Lake

Lake, Pool, Pond, Freshwater Marsh in Lancashire Pendle

England

The Lake

Old Milestone by the A682, Barrowford Carved stone post by the A682, in parish of BARROWFORD (PENDLE District), Gisburn Road, opposite No. 129, fixed into and protruding above wall at edge of Pendle Water, on East side of road. Gisburn Wedge, erected by the Gisburne &amp; Long Preston turnpike trust in the 19th century.

Inscription reads:-
: To / Burnley / 5 / Miles : : 1863 : : To / Gisburne / 7 / Miles :

Grade II listed.
List Entry Number: 1361705 <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1361705" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1361705">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>

Milestone Society National ID: LA_GNBU07. — Old Milestone by the A682, Barrowford Credit: Martin Coates

The Lake is a picturesque freshwater body located in Lancashire, England. Nestled amidst lush greenery and rolling hills, it offers a serene and tranquil retreat for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Spanning across an area of approximately 10 acres, The Lake is an idyllic spot that consists of a mix of lake, pool, pond, and freshwater marsh.

The main lake is the focal point of this natural landscape, with its crystal-clear waters reflecting the surrounding beauty. It is home to a diverse range of aquatic flora and fauna, including various species of fish, waterfowl, and aquatic plants. The lake provides an excellent habitat for these species and attracts birdwatchers and nature photographers from far and wide.

Surrounding the lake are smaller bodies of water, such as pools and ponds, which add to the charm and ecological diversity of the area. These habitats support a wide range of plant life, including water lilies, reeds, and rushes. They also serve as breeding grounds for amphibians and insects, making The Lake an important haven for biodiversity.

A notable feature of The Lake is the freshwater marsh, which extends along its edges. This marshland is characterized by its wet, marshy soil and is home to specialized plants that can thrive in these conditions. It provides a unique and important habitat for various bird species and other wildlife.

Visitors to The Lake can indulge in a variety of activities, including fishing, birdwatching, and nature walks. The tranquil surroundings and abundant wildlife make it an ideal place for relaxation and appreciation of the natural world. Whether one is seeking solitude, wildlife encounters, or simply a scenic escape, The Lake in Lancashire offers a captivating and enriching experience for all.

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The Lake Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 53.853162/-2.212879 or Grid Reference SD8639. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Old Milestone by the A682, Barrowford

Carved stone post by the A682, in parish of BARROWFORD (PENDLE District), Gisburn Road, opposite No. 129, fixed into and protruding above wall at edge of Pendle Water, on East side of road. Gisburn Wedge, erected by the Gisburne & Long Preston turnpike trust in the 19th century. Inscription reads:- : To / Burnley / 5 / Miles : : 1863 : : To / Gisburne / 7 / Miles : Grade II listed. List Entry Number: 1361705 Link

Milestone Society National ID: LA_GNBU07.

Martin Coates

Back of Alice Nutter Statue

The commemorative statue by David Palmer, to mark the 400th anniversary of the Pendle Witch Trials. Alice Nutter is in chains but this cloak on her back looks like an instrument of torture

Kevin Waterhouse

Barrowford Reservoir, drained

The reservoir, which serves the Leeds and Liverpool Canal rather than public water supply, was not empty because of the 2022 drought, but because it had been deliberately drained down in autumn 2021 for a year-long contract to stabilise the embankment. A short section of the canal nearby was also drained for maintenance at the same time.

Stephen Craven

Caspers Fold, Francis Avenue, Higherford

The house bears a datestone of 2000.

Stephen Craven

Defibrillator on the corner of Francis Avenue

These devices are normally found on the wall of public buildings, but here is one on a post by the street in an area of housing.

Stephen Craven

Bus shelter and old phone box

Located at the junction of Barnoldswick Road and Gisburn Road in Higherford. The phone box appears disused. Street furniture here also includes a grit bin and litter bin.

Stephen Craven

Road sign in Higherford

Located at the junction of Barnoldswick Road and Gisburn Road; the sign also points to Nelson in the opposite direction. Milestone Society National ID: LA_SD8640

Stephen Craven

Old mill, Gisburn Road, Higherford

The 1912 map shows this as a corn mill. It's probably too high above the river to have been water powered. Now in private hands, a 2015 proposal for 'brownfield' development on the site was not approved. SD8640 : Old mill on Gisburn Road, Barrowford shows it from the other direction.

Stephen Craven

Former Catholic church, Gisburn Road, Higherford

The name on the sign board is 'Parish of the Good Shepherd' but other contributors name the building itself as St Peter & St Paul's. A local website says that it was built from 1897, the first service registers being from 1902, but closed for worship in 2019. It appears no new use has been found yet.

Stephen Craven

Detail of Gisburn Road bridge, Higherford

An inscription 'C C Higherford Bridge' and an OS cut benchmark (shown on the 1912 map as 437.9ft). It was built in 1807. See SD8640 : Higherford Bridge and Mill for a side view of the bridge.

Stephen Craven

Former cotton mill, Higherford

Listed grade II (List entry 1271499) where it is dated to 'c.1844, incorporating elements of an earlier C19 mill, with further additions of 1882, and C20 alterations'. The main weaving shed seen in SD8640 : Grimshaw's (Higherford) Mill is claimed to be the oldest surviving example of its kind. Note the iron beam and high level doorway, presumably for loading bales of cotton from road vehicles.

Stephen Craven

Listed cottages, Foreside, Higherford

Listed grade II (List entry 1073432) where the oldest is dated to 1755.

Stephen Craven

Crowtree Cottage, Foreside, Higherford

Listed grade II (List entry 1273168) where it is dated to the mid-18th century. The large number of windows at first floor level suggests it was used for weaving.

Stephen Craven

Th' Owd Brig at Higherford

This is described by Margaret Slack (Ref.1) as 'One of the most attractive packhorse bridges in [the Pennines] ...standing on the direct line of the Roman Road from Castercliffe to Ribchester. It was crossed by teams of packhorses bringing coal from near Gisburn and ... lime from Lothersdale.' She adds that the date of the bridge is not known with certainty, but probably late 16th century. The bridge crosses Pendle Water, draining the steep eastern scarp of that great hill, and subject to flash flooding; Slack relates a story that a bell used to hang from the bridge that rang a warning when water approached flood level. Listed grade II *(List entry 1273194) and a Scheduled Monument. Originally it would have had no, or very low, parapets to allow ponies with low-hanging panniers to cross; the present parapets were added in 1815. (1) 'The Bridges of Lancashire and Yorkshire', Margaret Slack, 1986.

Stephen Craven

Gisburn Road bridge, Higherford

This road bridge over Pendle Water was erected in 1807 to supersede the old packhorse bridge, which still stands but closed to motor traffic SD8640 : Th' Owd Brig at Higherford.

Stephen Craven