Constable Lee

Settlement in Lancashire Rossendale

England

Constable Lee

Descending off Cribden Moor Heading west off the moor, offering splendid views into the bargain — Descending off Cribden Moor Credit: Chris Heaton

Constable Lee is a small village located in the county of Lancashire, England. Situated in the picturesque Ribble Valley, it falls within the civil parish of Rimington. With a population of around 100 residents, it is a tightly-knit and close community.

The village is surrounded by stunning countryside, characterized by rolling hills, green pastures, and charming woodlands. It offers a tranquil and idyllic setting for those seeking a peaceful retreat away from the hustle and bustle of city life. The River Ribble flows nearby, adding to the natural beauty of the area.

Constable Lee is primarily a residential area, consisting of a few scattered houses and cottages. The architecture of the village reflects its rural heritage, with many traditional stone-built properties still standing. Despite its small size, the community has a strong sense of pride in its heritage and maintains a sense of unity.

Although lacking in amenities, residents have convenient access to nearby towns such as Clitheroe and Whalley, where they can find a range of shops, restaurants, and essential services. The village is well-connected to the rest of Lancashire via a network of roads, allowing for easy commuting and exploration of the surrounding areas.

Constable Lee offers its residents a peaceful and serene lifestyle, where they can enjoy the beauty of nature and a tight-knit community atmosphere. It is a hidden gem in the heart of Lancashire, cherished by those fortunate enough to call it home.

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Constable Lee Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 53.711353/-2.287076 or Grid Reference SD8123. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Descending off Cribden Moor

Heading west off the moor, offering splendid views into the bargain

Chris Heaton

On Cribden Moor

Chris Heaton

Ruins of Under Brow

Abandoned farm now fallen into ruin on Cribden Side

Chris Heaton

Yard of Skips on Cribden Side

Chris Heaton

Descending to Spout House

Chris Heaton

Height End

Cottages above Haslingden

Chris Heaton

Church of St Mary, St Mary's Way, Rawtenstall

Grade II Listed church dated on the tower 1837 and 1881 when the tower was built and the west end refaced. The foundation stone was laid on 7th March 1836 by Mrs. Hoyle. By January 1838 the Church was complete enough to be used for public services and then formally opened 15th March. The Bishop of Chester consecrated it on 20th September 1838. A previous clock was added in 1853 at a cost of £120. The tower, then at the west end, was determined to be taken down in 1880 and re-erected on the south side of the Church allowing the Church to be extended westward. A cut away in the north gallery allowed for installation of a new organ that completed installation in April 1883. The organ was built by Hill and Son and possibly a copy of a Cavaillé-Coll. In 2006 it was described as 'deteriorated badly'. The clock tower was completed in September 1888. The first vicar was Rev. William Whitworth 1838-1847. The church has eight bells by Mears & Stainbank, seven 1888 and one 1887.

Jo and Steve Turner

Rawtenstall cenotaph, St Mary's Way, Rawtenstall

Grade II* Listed 5.25m tall memorial unveiled on the 29th June 1929 by a Miss Carrie Whitehead to a design by Louis Frederick Roslyn (1878--1934). Vandals removed a plaque in 1982 and it was replaced by a stonemason. In July 2009 the bronze Second World War plaque was stolen, the current replacement being fitted in November of that year.

Jo and Steve Turner

Former Queens Arms, St Mary's Way, Rawtenstall

Grade II Listed 1830 hotel on the corner of two turnpike roads Burnley-Bury and Blackburn-Todmorden. In the early 19th century it served as courthouse and town hall. In 1882 Masonic Lodge No.1948 was consecrated, meeting mainly at the Queens Arms until about 1928. Along with its Qube nightclub the Queens Arms closed in April 2018. In May 2020 it was reported that a local property developer intended to convert it to a ground floor restaurant/café with four apartments on the first and second storeys.

Jo and Steve Turner

Longholme Wesleyan Methodist chapel, Bacup Road, Rawtenstall

Grade II Listed chapel, 1841-2 by James Simpson of Leeds. This third Longholme Chapel was decided upon in 1839 the same year as the first resident Minister, the Reverend James Wilson was appointed. The 1300 seat £7,000 chapel was opened on 18th March 1842. The previous chapel was demolished to make way for a new Sunday School used until 1956. The school was demolished in 1962 and this chapel was then re-constructed inside with the organ and pulpit being removed and the gallery space filled in, allowing the church to be moved onto the upper level and the lower level being turned into a general use area. The chapel re-opened in this form in April 1962. In 2009 the chapel received a £10,000 grant from the National Churches Trust for repair work.

Jo and Steve Turner

The Picture House, Bacup Road, Rawtenstall

The Picture House was opened on 29th December 1920. Taken over by Star Cinemas in December 1960 they closed it in 1975. Soon after it was split into 4 screens by Unit Four Cinemas and renamed accordingly. Unit Four Cinema closed on 10th May 1984. It was reopened by an independent operator, but operating just one 121 seat screen and a snooker club. Two further changes of operator followed and it finally closed in early 1996. It was converted into an indoor market and a snooker club. The OS map currently describes it as 'Heritage Arcade' a description in current use. Plans for a fast food outlet, nightclub or leisure centre in the early 21st century came to nothing and it is currently planned to convert it and adjacent buildings to 42 apartments. Designed by the Baldwin Design Consultancy many of its Art Deco features including the prominent façade would be retained.

Jo and Steve Turner

Kay Street Baptist Church, Kay Street, Rawtenstall

Rev. John Jefferson formed a new church in 1872 and a new building here was in use from December 1876. A building fund for a larger church was started in 1892 but it wasn't until 20th April 1900 the corner stones for the present church were laid by Mrs. Richard Whittaker, Alderman H. W. Trickett Mayor of Rawtenstall, Alderman D. Greenwood of Bacup and Mr R. H. Crabtree of Southport. The church held its first service on the 10th September 1902 having had a build cost of about £4,000.

Jo and Steve Turner

New Hall Hey Mill, Rawtenstall

Built by Hardman Brothers in 1866. Twenty three by four bays with a dentillated flat roof. There is a relatively small beam engine house parallel to the mill and between it and the squar(ish) boiler house. This is an unusual layout as it was more usual to have internal beam engine houses. The square stone chimney has a pronounced batter, blind windows and a pronounced oversailor with decorative spikes. Oversailors are meant to prevent smoke creeping down the side of the chimney. Although the mill is perhaps a little "too clean" its character has been quite well kept. This shows the boiler house with the engine house to its left and part of the chimney base to the right.

Chris Allen