Pendle Hill

Pendle Hill

Photo: Steve Morris

The great lion-head of Pendle Hill lies east of Clitheroe, set amongst a number of beautiful Lancashire villages. It's a hill famous for George Fox's vision in 1652. Fox claimed to have seen a vision of God on the summit, which led him to form the Quaker Movement. People still follow his route today in remembrance of the 1652 ascent.

Pendle was also home to the Whitworth Doctors whose miraculous curing of diseases, both of man and beast, gained them great fame. It's told that one occasion they treated the Bishop of Durham, but not before making him wait whilst they cured a horse!

Pendle's summit (Big End) is 1827ft above sea level and the hill varies in width from one to three miles. The top offers breathtaking views across the Forest of Bowland, the Yorkshire Dales and, on clear days, even the mountains of the Lake District can be picked out.

The easist way to reach the summit is from the Nick O' Pendle. A six mile stroll that makes for a very pleasant outing.

Pendle, old Pendle thou standest alone
'Twixt Burnley and Clitheroe, Whalley and Colne
Where Hodder and Ribble's fair waters do meet
With Barley and Downham content at thy feet.