Follow the Pendle Witches trail

Illustration of Chattox and her daughter Anne Redferne

This autumn you could follow in the footsteps of the Pendle Witches.

There's a trail that can be followed by car or bicycle taking you through the Pendle villages of Blacko, Roughlee and Newchurch, then Downham and Clitheroe in the Ribble Valley.

It follows the witches' journeys from their homes in Pendle to Lancaster Castle, where they stood trial in 1612.

After travelling through the Trough of Bowland you arrive at Lancaster where the historic castle still stands.

Visitors flock

Councillor Allan Buck, who represents tourism in Pendle, said: "At this time of year the spotlight certainly falls on Pendle, as well as on our neighbours in Ribble Valley and Lancaster.

"The Pendle Witch Trials were the most famous in England, and that's why visitors flock here from all over the UK to feel the atmosphere and enjoy our special Witches Trail."

A Witches Trail leaflet is available for 50p from Tourist Information Centres in Pendle, Ribble Valley and Lancaster.

As well as having full Trail directions, the leaflet is full of interesting facts about the witches and what life was like for them in the 17th century.