Pendle Sculpture Trail

In Brief.

The Pendle Sculpture Trail combines a countryside walk, a forest walk, outdoor sculptures and some local history in a way that is greater than the sum of its parts. The scenery is pleasant, the forest is not densely planted, the sculptures are varied, and there is a chance to discover a little about The Pendle Witches, who are remembered in plaques along the sculpture trail. 

Please do not feed the mythical creatures.

What's Here?

The starting point for most visitors will be a carpark in the village of Barley, where there is a log cabin occupied by a cafe that was doing good business on my visit.  The start of the walk involves going through the village, past the pub (The Pendle Inn) and restaurant (The Barley Mow), and then heading right up a signposted lane, with solid dry stone walls on either side.

Lower Black Moss Reservoir

This lane quickly provides access to pleasant countryside, passing the Lower Black Moss Reservoir (pictured), and leading to a signposted path into Aitken Wood, which is visible to the right from the start of the lane. 

The sculpture trail is a circuit within the wood.  The sculptures have been produced by nine artists, and thus vary in style.  Among other things, there is an austere Witchfinder, a gnarled Boggart and an etherial Unicorn.  Some of the sculptures are suspended from or connected to the trees in the woodland ... and some not so easy to find, even when in possession of the map and guide!  Several benefit from accompanying riddles.  Overall, these punctuate the forest walk in an interesting way, although some of them are starting to look a little weather beaten.

The sculptures share the trail with a series of plaques on The Pendle Witches, who were tried and largely convicted of assorted capital crimes in the early 17th century. The trials were documented in a book written at the time, on The Wonderfull Discoverie of Witches in the Countie of Lancaster, from which some details are recounted in  the map and guide.

If you are feeling energetic or hungry, Clitheroe is not far away.

Practicalities.

Distance from Manchester Town Hall: 32 miles

Drive Time: 55 minutes.

Price: Free

Parking: Paid parking at Barley Picnic Site (BB12 9JX). The parking is not expensive, but for my visit the ticket machine wasn't working, and you need to remember to pay online afterwards to avoid a £60 fine.  A strong incentive for the parking company not to fix their machine!

Food and Drink: There is a rustic cafe at the Barley Picnic Site. I filled up on a decent coffee and carrot cake before the walk. There are two promising looking hostelries in Barley.

Retail therapy: Come here for the views, not the souvenirs

Child Friendly: There is a small play area in Barley, and the online map contains some activities linking the names of those accused of being witches with some plaques displayed throughout the trail.

Toilets: Yes - at the carpark.

Do it justice in: 2 hours.

Inside-Outside: 0:100

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