Belthorn Heritage Trail - Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council

www.westpenninemoors.comEnvironment Directorate, Lancashire County CouncilPrinted on recycled paper. 84073.

How to get thereBelthorn is located about 3 miles (5km) southeast ofBlackburn, just off the B6232, close to J5 of the M65.The nearest main line rail station is at Blackburn,with a regular bus service from Blackburn,Haslingden and Rawtenstall.For details of public transport links, telephoneLancashire County Council’s TravelWise InformationLine on 0870 608 2 608.West Pennine Moors Information CentresGreat House information centre (Cafe nearby)Rivington (01204) 691549.Jumbles information centre & CafeJumbles Country Park (01204) 853360Roddlesworth information centre & CafeTockholes (01254) 704502Clough Head information centre & CafeHaslingden (01706) 830162L.C.C. Countryside Service 01772 534709www.westpenninemoors.comBlackburn with Darwen Borough CouncilCountryside Services (01254) 691239email countryside@blackburn.gov.ukwww.blackburn.gov.ukThe Country CodeBe safe – plan ahead & follow any signsLeave gates and property as you find themProtect plants & animals & take your litter homeKeep dogs under close controlConsider other people3

8downhill, at the same time pulling the empty,lighter wagons up the hill to be filled in their turn.10. Just past the colliery workings at an S-bendin the track, look again into the field on the left andnotice a small, square, low-walled compound withtwo Sycamore trees.This is in fact a recently restored burial ground forthe once locally prominent Scholes family. Lookingsouth back to the ‘New Inn’, notice to the right onthe pinnacle of a hill a second similar graveyard.Many people believe these small graveyards to beQuaker burial grounds. This graveyard along withthe second New Inn both have headstones, whichis the giveaway. Quakers did reside in the area anda third much larger burial ground exists nearbywithout any memorial stones. Their basic lifestylehad no need for such indulgences.11. From now on you are steadily climbing uphill,passing isolated cottages and formerfarmhouses all on the left-hand side.Many years ago Bank Fold House, (now namedLower Bank Fold Farm) whose gable faces the lefthandside of the lane, was the home of a ‘lady’occupied in the ‘oldest profession’, who providedher service to passing miners on their way to andfrom the coal mines at the bottom of the hill.It was said she sat in a rocking chair on the sideof the veranda plying her trade.12. Turn sharp left and walk past the frontage ofLower Bank Fold Farm. Looking uphill to yourright, the gable end of Higher Bank Fold Lane Farmwill be visible.

The building was last used as a farmhousein 1987. The incumbent was a local characternamed Albert Hope, who lived there with hissister until age overcame them. When once seenby police because his cattle had again strayed ontoBelthorn Road and caused untold damage to thegardens, Albert said, “I keep telling them (the cows)not to go up there but they take no notice, youknow!!” Over 100 people lived in the Bank Foldarea in the mid-19th century – mostly handloomweavers.13. Continue through a five bar gate and into anopen field.Veer off to the left to pass betweenholly thickets where there is a stile. Cross a secondstile and continue on towards the holly hedge andout of the field over a drystone wall and onto thelane.Turn right and continue uphill to an imposingmansion.Named ‘Woodhead’, the house was built in 1860and owned by many generations by the Yatesfamily (whose walled graveyard lies on theprominent hill adjacent to the New Inn). TheYates’s were a large and prominent family in thearea hence the local Parish of ‘Yate and PickupBank’. Indeed Major Yates officiated in thededication of the village memorial in 1910.In bygone times, on hot summer days, Woodheadhosted many village summer fetes, galas and gardenparties.14. At the driveway entrance to Woodhead,bear right and follow part of an ancient walled andcobbled packhorse route, through matureSycamore woodland. Passing Lower PaddockHouse Farm entrance, continue uphill passingthe cottages on Top Fold and back ontoBelthorn Road.9

The corner cottage (No29) was the home of thelast handloom weaver in Belthorn.Make your way back to your form of transportand we hope you have enjoyed your day in andaround our beautiful village of Belthorn.Additional InformationOrdnance Survey Explorer Series, Sheet No.287‘West Pennine Moors’ shows all the publicrights of way in the area.Explore! Discover! Enjoy!The West Pennine MoorsExplore 90 square miles of unspoiltmoorlands, numerous reservoirs and beautifulwoodlandsDiscover hidden valleys and explore some ofthe many historic villagesEnjoy getting close to nature – see curlews,peregrines and brown haresWander the long distance walk, the WittonWeavers’ Way – the full 32 miles or one offour shorter circular walksLarge areas of the West Pennine Moors aredesignated ‘Open Access’. See OrdnanceSurvey Explorer series Map No. 287 WestPennine Moors.10

ST141P13PFarmParkingPublic HouseCafe/InformationToilet FacilitiesBuildingHeritage TrailWoodlands101FormColle© Crown copyright. Lancashire County Council. Licence No. 100023320 2007.

ART32Belthorn4SchoolTowerView56Bank Fold112WindyBanks7erryHoleHouse8DickBridge9PickupBankReservoir