This circular walk takes you through the beautiful Lancashire countryside
The village of Downham is a perfect spot for a winter walk (Image: James Maloney/Lancs Live)
Whether you’ve made a New Year’s resolution to be more active or not, a good walk on a fresh winter’s day is hard to beat. Make the effort to venture outside in the winter months and you’ll be rewarded with frosty landscapes, snow-capped hills and bright sunshine – well, if we’re lucky.
But there is something rather delightful about a walk in the countryside when it’s cold outside. It can leave you feeling rejuvenated and blows away the cobwebs after days spent inside.
On the doorstep of Greater Manchester is the rolling countryside of Lancashire, a landscape that’s home to market towns, quaint villages and woodland walks. If there’s a place to go for a winter walk, this is it.
Just outside of Clitheroe in a detached area of the Forest of Bowland is the village of Downham. Overlooked by the magnificent Pendle Hill, Downham is small but perfectly formed with charming cottages and a pub, the Assheton Arms. You certainly won’t find a corner shop here or and there’s not a supermarket in sight.
The village has been in the same family for 500 years (Image: James Maloney/Lancs Live)
In fact Downham does feel rather different from other places. Walking around you’ll notice that there’s no road signs, satellite or TV aerials. The village has remained in the same family for over 500 years and has retained its historic feel.
The Assheton family own the village, manor house and estate, living in the hall since 1558. The village’s pub, the Assheton Arms, is also named after them.
Downham lends itself to a relaxed wander, but if you fancy more of a challenge you can follow a 5km circular loop from the village. It takes you through open fields, past woodland areas and across footbridges.
The village is small but perfectly formed (Image: James Maloney/Lancs Live)
Starting in the village car park, turn left on main street before turning right after you’ve past the Assheton Arms. At the end of this road you’ll then pick up a footpath which follows the old Roman Road.
Keep following this path eastwards, eventually reaching Hall Royds Woods, keeping it to your left. When you reach a crossroad keep going straight on, passing Hey house Farm to your left. Keep following the path heading east, until you reach the Springs stiles.
Then head north-east towards the intriguingly-named Hell Hole Plantation, crossing the footbridge at Twiston Beck. Here you want to follow the footpath north, keeping the brook to your left.
Crossing a second footbridge, bear left following the path westwards, you’ll then walk parallel beside Ings Beck, keeping Hey House Wood to your left. When you cross the beck follow the path southwest and keep going straight ahead until you reach Twiston Lane, turning right and following the road back into Downham.
Finish your walk with a visit to the Assheton Arms, which features a cosy interior with a roaring fire on chilly days. The menu features a mixture of classic pub meals and more sophisticated dishes, along with sandwiches and lighter bites.
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