Barrowford

Settlement in Lancashire Pendle

England

Barrowford

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 — Back of Alice Nutter Statue Credit: Kevin Waterhouse

Barrowford is a village located in the county of Lancashire, England. Situated near the Forest of Bowland, it is part of the borough of Pendle and lies approximately 3 miles north of the town of Nelson. The village is nestled in a picturesque setting, surrounded by rolling hills and charming countryside.

With a population of around 6,000 residents, Barrowford has a close-knit community feel. The village is known for its rich history, dating back to the 13th century. It was once an important center for the textile industry during the Industrial Revolution and remnants of this heritage can still be seen in some of the old mills and buildings that have been preserved.

Barrowford offers a range of amenities and services to cater to its residents' needs. There are several local shops, including a supermarket, as well as a variety of restaurants, cafes, and pubs. The village also has a primary school, a library, and a community center that hosts various events and activities throughout the year.

For outdoor enthusiasts, Barrowford boasts several green spaces and parks, such as Barrowford Park and Pendle Heritage Centre, which provide opportunities for leisurely walks and picnics. The nearby Pendle Hill is a popular destination for hikers and offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.

Overall, Barrowford is a charming village with a rich history and a strong sense of community. Its idyllic location and range of amenities make it an attractive place to live or visit for those seeking a peaceful and picturesque setting in Lancashire.

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Barrowford Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 53.852878/-2.215622 or Grid Reference SD8539. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

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