We headed out mid-morning and as the weather was clear we made for Pendle Hill. We parked up at the top of the Nick O'Pendle and sat drinking coffee taking in the views over Blackburn and across to Winter Hill in the distance.
We then made our way round the south and east sides of the hill through Higham and Barley to Downham where we stopped for some lunch at the Ashetton Arms. I've never driven this way before and really enjoyed the villages and views along the way. Also the first time we have eaten at the Assheton Arms which was excellent...Fish Pie for Ali and the Brisket and Blacksticks Blue Pudding for me...superb !
And so refreshed and replenished we headed off. The road then took us on to Gisburn Forest and up over Bowland Knotts and the Keasden Rd. Great views from the top back towards Pendle and northwards across to Pen-y-Ghent, Ingleborough and Whernside.
We then carried on under brightening skies through Bentham and Wray before taking the Quernmore Rd at Caton. This road runs high up along the very western edge of the Bowland Fells. The views from Jubilee Tower were fantastic. The panorama extending from Blackpool Tower on the southwest horizon round over Morecambe Bay to the Lake District Fells in the north. You could even make out Snaefell on the Isle of Man approx 80 miles out in the Irish Sea !
We stopped further on in the Trough of Bowland for more photos and more coffee. There were only a few other cars passing by and it was so peaceful with the evening sun highlighting the beautiful autumn colours of the trees and landscape.
After a short while soaking up the autumnal 'atmosphere' we carried on through Dunsop Bridge, Newton in Bowland and Waddington. We were now heading for our final stop of the day at Hurst Green, the renowned Stonyhurst College. Now having been a lifelong fan of JRR Tolkiens books and more recently the Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit movies then this place and the surrounding area are hallowed ground to me. I have done a few walks in the area visiting locations that he reputedly visited whilst staying at the college in the 1940s but I have never actually seen the building itself. It's a Grade 1 listed building from 1794 and very impressive too.
And so photos taken we headed back to the A59 and home having covered a very leisurely, relaxing and therapeutic 130 miles or so...roof down and fresh air all the way ! We didn't see any of the showers that were forecast either !
I know most of the Bowland roads fairly well but exploring round the south and east sides of Pendle Hill was very satisfying and added greatly to the day. Also tried a great 'new' pub.....bonus !
