Lancashire Witches Walk

Lancashire

A new (2013) sustainable 51-mile Long-Distance Walk commemorates the 400th Anniversary of hanging of the Lancashire Witches. Starting in Barrowford and finishing at Lancaster Castle, where the witches were tried, (which itself makes a fascinating visit) the walk follows the most believable route that the witches were taken, on their way to be sentenced and hung. Conveniently, the route also makes the best of a string of some of Lancashire’s best fells, using Slaidburn YHA as an ideal base, almost exactly halfway along. While the start, finish and mid-point are accessible by public transport, much of the rest is wonderfully remote, and most parts can afford magnificent views.

Green Close, a rural arts organisation based in the village of Melling, organised the installation of 10-tonne cast-iron installations on or near the path, embossed with stanzas of the walk’s poem, written by the Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy, all funded by Lottery money.

The route has already attracted use by four walking festivals, but remains remote and peaceful. One Lancaster-based charity used it to raise £2,000, by getting 50 youngsters to walk the northern half.

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Details:

Path Type:	Other Paths
Waymark:	Standard yellow & blue with witches face in centre
Attributes:	Challenging AONB Moorland Heritage Literary Sculpture/Art
Start:	SD862398 - Barrowford Heritage Centre, Lancashire
Finish:	SD473619 - Lancaster, Lancashire

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Publications, Badges and Certificates:

Guidebook

Lancashire Witches Walk Guide  (Walking Pages  - 2013 )

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