Big End

Hill, Mountain in Lancashire Pendle

England

Big End

Footpath and Stream, Barley The footpath leads onwards up Pendle Hill. The stream has some charming small waterfalls.
Footpath and Stream, Barley Credit: David Bremner

Big End is a prominent hill located in the county of Lancashire, England. Situated in the southern part of the county, it forms part of the Pennines, a range of hills and mountains that stretch across Northern England. Big End stands at an impressive height of 517 meters (1,696 feet) above sea level, making it one of the highest points in Lancashire.

The hill is known for its distinctive shape, featuring a rounded summit that offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. On a clear day, visitors can enjoy vistas that span across Lancashire and even reach as far as the neighboring counties of Yorkshire and Greater Manchester.

Big End is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, attracting hikers, walkers, and nature lovers alike. The hill is traversed by several footpaths and trails, allowing visitors to explore its diverse landscapes, which include heather moorland, rocky outcrops, and steep slopes. The area is also home to a variety of wildlife, including birds of prey, such as golden eagles and kestrels, as well as numerous species of wildflowers and plants.

In addition to its natural beauty, Big End has historical significance. It is believed to have been used as a landmark and meeting point by ancient communities, with archaeological evidence suggesting human presence in the area dating back thousands of years.

Overall, Big End offers a captivating blend of stunning scenery, outdoor activities, and a glimpse into Lancashire's rich history, making it a must-visit destination for those seeking to explore the beauty of the county's countryside.

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

Big End Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 53.868546/-2.2985594 or Grid Reference SD8041. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Footpath and Stream, Barley The footpath leads onwards up Pendle Hill. The stream has some charming small waterfalls.
Footpath and Stream, Barley
The footpath leads onwards up Pendle Hill. The stream has some charming small waterfalls.
Set in Concrete A boot print set in the concrete. A moment captured on the footpath up Pendle Hill.
Set in Concrete
A boot print set in the concrete. A moment captured on the footpath up Pendle Hill.
A Glimpse of Pendle Hill On the footpath from Barley and a glimpse of Pendle Hill is had through the trees.
A Glimpse of Pendle Hill
On the footpath from Barley and a glimpse of Pendle Hill is had through the trees.
On Pendle Hill A pause to admire the view on the way up Pendle Hill.
On Pendle Hill
A pause to admire the view on the way up Pendle Hill.
Path on Pendle Hill On my way back down towards Barley.
Path on Pendle Hill
On my way back down towards Barley.
Eastern Escarpment, Pendle Hill Looking up at the escarpment on the eastern side of Pendle Hill.
Eastern Escarpment, Pendle Hill
Looking up at the escarpment on the eastern side of Pendle Hill.
Top of the Ogden Valley Greenway, Pendle Hill Looking out towards the Ogden Valley Greenway and, beyond, the Ribble Estuary.
Top of the Ogden Valley Greenway, Pendle Hill
Looking out towards the Ogden Valley Greenway and, beyond, the Ribble Estuary.
Looking up Ogden Clough
Looking up Ogden Clough
Looking down Ogden Clough
Looking down Ogden Clough
Lower Ogden Reservoir
Lower Ogden Reservoir
Stormclouds over Pendle Hill Pendle View Farm <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/gridref/SD7754">SD7754</a> (Shown on the map as Cracoe Hill Farm) in the foreground.
Stormclouds over Pendle Hill
Pendle View Farm SD7754 (Shown on the map as Cracoe Hill Farm) in the foreground.
Pendle Inn Inn in the very popular village of Barley.
Pendle Inn
Inn in the very popular village of Barley.
Path on the edge of Pendle Views are restricted by low cloud.
Path on the edge of Pendle
Views are restricted by low cloud.
Path down Pendle Side The slightly gentler of the two main routes from the Barley side. Views are restricted by low cloud, though a break in the cloud can be seen.
Path down Pendle Side
The slightly gentler of the two main routes from the Barley side. Views are restricted by low cloud, though a break in the cloud can be seen.
Feeding sheep at dusk Low cloud is resting on Pendle Hill behind.
Feeding sheep at dusk
Low cloud is resting on Pendle Hill behind.
Pendle Hill Pendle Hill at 557m (1,827 feet) is something of a Lancashire icon, steeped in folklore and history. The 17th century seems to have been a particularly busy period here with the Pendle witch trials in 1612, Richard Towneley's barometer experiment in 1661 and George Fox's vision of many souls coming to Christ in 1652. Of those the witch trials are perhaps the best known. Ten men and two women living in the immediate area were accused of commiting murder by witchcraft. Ten were found guilty and executed. Towneley, together with Henry Power, used the newly invented barometer to measure air pressure at different altitudes on the hill which led to an understanding of the relationship between air density and pressure.  Finally, George Fox's vision at this spot was an important event in the establishment of the Society of Friends (Quakers). 

Note how the area around the pillar has been eroded away by its many visitors. More recent pictures show how this problem has been addressed: <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3864654">SD8041 : Trig Point on Pendle Hill</a>.
Pendle Hill
Pendle Hill at 557m (1,827 feet) is something of a Lancashire icon, steeped in folklore and history. The 17th century seems to have been a particularly busy period here with the Pendle witch trials in 1612, Richard Towneley's barometer experiment in 1661 and George Fox's vision of many souls coming to Christ in 1652. Of those the witch trials are perhaps the best known. Ten men and two women living in the immediate area were accused of commiting murder by witchcraft. Ten were found guilty and executed. Towneley, together with Henry Power, used the newly invented barometer to measure air pressure at different altitudes on the hill which led to an understanding of the relationship between air density and pressure. Finally, George Fox's vision at this spot was an important event in the establishment of the Society of Friends (Quakers). Note how the area around the pillar has been eroded away by its many visitors. More recent pictures show how this problem has been addressed: SD8041 : Trig Point on Pendle Hill.
Old Guide Stone At Four Lanes End where the Clitheroe to Colne route intersects the Burnley to Gisburn route
Old Guide Stone
At Four Lanes End where the Clitheroe to Colne route intersects the Burnley to Gisburn route
Pendle Big End View from Four Lane Ends
Pendle Big End
View from Four Lane Ends
Show me another place!

Big End is located at Grid Ref: SD8041 (Lat: 53.868546, Lng: -2.2985594)

Administrative County: Lancashire

District: Pendle

Police Authority: Lancashire

Also known as: Beacon

What 3 Words

///rush.crabmeat.passport. Near Chatburn, Lancashire

Nearby Locations

Beacon Big End

Related Wikis

Pendle Hill

Pendle Hill is in the east of Lancashire, England, near the towns of Burnley, Nelson, Colne, Brierfield, Clitheroe and Padiham. Its summit is 557 metres...

Pendle Water

Pendle Water is a minor river in Lancashire, England. Rising on Pendle Hill, Pendle Water cuts a deep valley between Barley Moor and Spence Hill, where...

Barley-with-Wheatley Booth

Barley-with-Wheatley Booth is a civil parish in the Pendle district of Lancashire, England. It has a population of 298, and contains the village of Barley...

Ogden Reservoirs

Upper and Lower Ogden Reservoirs are half a mile to the west of the village of Barley, in the Borough of Pendle, England. They supply drinking water to...

Barley, Lancashire

Barley is a village in the borough of Pendle, in Lancashire, England. It is in the civil parish of Barley-with-Wheatley Booth. The village lies between...

Black Moss Reservoirs

Upper and Lower Black Moss Reservoirs are reservoirs close to the village of Barley, in the Borough of Pendle, close to the market town of Burnley, England...

Twiston

Twiston is a village and a civil parish in the Ribble Valley District, in the English county of Lancashire. It is near the town of Clitheroe and the village...

Goldshaw Booth

Goldshaw Booth is a civil parish in the Pendle district of Lancashire, England. It has a population of 248, and contains the village of Newchurch in Pendle...

Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 53.868546,-2.2985594
Pendle Hill
Ele: 558
Layer: 1
Natural: peak
Source: npe
Source Ele: height in feet (1831) from npe, converted to metres
Wikidata: Q3374661
Wikipedia: en:Pendle Hill
Lat/Long: 53.8685844/-2.2985841
Barrier: kissing_gate
Lat/Long: 53.8678172/-2.2911157
Barrier: kissing_gate
Lat/Long: 53.8680827/-2.2921928
Barrier: stile
Material: stone
Stile: stepover
Lat/Long: 53.8720502/-2.2976821
Shelter
Bench: yes
Bin: no
Shelter Type: weather_shelter
Lat/Long: 53.8720347/-2.2976687
Man Made: survey_point
Lat/Long: 53.8685525/-2.2985764
Information: board
Tourism: information
Lat/Long: 53.8680517/-2.292353
Information: guidepost
Tourism: information
Lat/Long: 53.8685763/-2.2986834
Barrier: stile
Lat/Long: 53.8725089/-2.2964688
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

Have you been to Big End?

Leave your review of Big End below (or comments, questions and feedback).