PENDLETON is often described as an unspoiled village and is reached along the A59 from the Clitheroe by-pass.

It was little affected by the Industrial Revolution.

William Morris (1834-1896) wrote a lovely poem about the period.

“Forget six counties overhung with smoke, Forget the snorting steam and piston stroke, Forget the spreading of the hideous town, Think rather of the packhorse on the down”

If we could bring back the poet, he would still love Pendleton, now slumbering in a wonderful time warp of packhorse trails and old turnpike routes.

The natural history of the area is very rich and the stream which runs through the centre of Pendleton is the place to see the resident dippers and grey wagtails.

A left turn out of the village follows a narrow motor road.

An ancient track leads past Little Mearley Hall. This dates mainly from the 14th Century and was the track linking Sawley and Whalley Abbeys.

There is evidence to suggest that the track dates to the Bronze Age. A burial urn, dating from around 1500 BC was found locally and is on display in the Clitheroe Castle Museum and is well worth a visit. What this means is that this ancient route has been little disturbed over the centuries and the wildlife has remained to be of interest.

In the upland areas there are curlew, lapwing and it is one of the few places where skylarks still soar high in the air and sing as they descend.

Choose a nice day and enjoy a wildlife walk around Pendleton.