photo sharing and upload picture albums photo forums search pictures popular photos photography help login
Mark Robinson | profile | all galleries >> Galleries >> Downham, Lancashire tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Downham, Lancashire

The picturesque village of Downham is set at the foot of Pendle Hill and captures the essence of rural Britain, yet remains a relatively secret gem. Lord Clitheroe owns the village, and is able to exert his control over developments that may ruin the chocolate-box appearance. The houses and cottages are stone-built, and there are no road markings on the streets, no overhead cables, and no TV ariels or satellite dishes to spoil the view.

The village has been used as a location for many films, the most famous being 'Whistle Down the Wind' starring Alan Bates and Hayley Mills, also, according to adamant locals, the surrounding area was the inspiration for J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle Earth in the Lord of the Rings saga. The BBC chose it to film the series 'Born and Bred'.

Downham is also associated with Old Mother Demdike, Alice Nutter and other infamous Lancashire witches.


High quality prints from 6"x4" up to 30"x20" are available of any of the images you see below. Please contact me on the following email address with your requirements: mark.s.robinson@btinternet.com

Follow markinburnley on Twitter

4358 4362 4140 4144 7868
4939 4931 4927 4122 4118
4359 4115 4325 4937 4114
7861 4940 4941 7888 4330
7877 7840 4112 4356 8306
4095 4092 7887 4962 8351
8347 4964 4968 4081 4963
4945 4354 7865 4079 7893
4949 8328 4957 4959 4078
4991 4073 4070 4069 7864
4969 4976 4131 8316 4327
7853 4995 4363 8310 4981
4364 4994 7858 8304 4368
7845 7928 8319 7905 7921

comment | share
malcolm haslam16-Nov-2013 17:12
You have certainly captured the quiet, rural quality of the village. Very well done.
:-)
William 24-Oct-2013 15:17
Lovely pictures. Downham is such a nice place.
How do you go about finding houses to rent there?
joseantonio27-Oct-2012 10:02
Beautiful display of lovely colors...V.
SRW26-Oct-2012 18:25
Keep coming back to this gallery: it captures the place perfectly...! V.
Norman Bury 13-Aug-2012 04:14
Downam has always been a curious mystery to me as my first contact with it was through some black & white photographs of my father (deceased). At age sixteen he left England with his parents in March of 1920 and arrived in Melbourne Australia six week later. Born in Darwen Lancashire, the family roots go back as far as Tockholes and beyond. We came close to visitng Downham during 2002 when researching Family History, and, God willing, may do so again soon, and will visit Downham without fail.
Sue 11-Sep-2011 13:29
We went to Downham for the first time last year and adored the peaceful surroundings. Going to visit again this week and we can't wait. Thanks for all the lovely photographs.
Colin & Phyllis Le Marinel 02-Jul-2011 21:13
Today was the very first time that my wife and i had visited Downham. We just sat by the river and enjoyed the wonderdful, peaceful surroundings. We just did not want to move. The song "Where Peaceful Waters Flow" could have been written as a tribute to this tranqil village. We will certainly return.
Susan Jackson 20-Apr-2011 12:26
My Husbands family are all from Downham, many still living in the village and surrouding area.It is lovely to see our old house "Keepers Cottage" in the collection of photos. Brings back lots of memories. Thank You.
Guest 22-Dec-2010 00:19
I used to live in Downham many years ago, and vividly remember the village flooding! Great place to live and have many memories about the people who lived there when I did.
Lynne
A past tenant.......lol....AR 01-Dec-2010 18:50
Wow, its been a while since i've visited, Spent many happy hours playing as a lad, what memories these pics brought back, i grew up in this village, still know many of the people there, my brother still lives there, if i ever travel the thousands of miles back for sure i will see this place again, hi downham villagers, somebody pay me a pint on, i drink it when i visit...very nice pics
Cyn 31-Oct-2010 22:42
A very special place in my heart forever. Lovely pictures, thank you.
RLT 31-Jul-2010 16:53
My wife and I visit Downham every year when we travel from the States. I use to work on a farm in Twiston on the weekends and go for a drink at the Asherton after a hards days work. It's one of the most beautiful villages in the world. A lot of happy memories there.
Jane Diamond 14-Jan-2010 20:46
Great pictures thank you. All my relatives are from Downham, one starred in Whistle Down the Wind. My dad is buried in Clitheroe. Going to climb Pendle Hill with American cousin at end of March who has never visited the area. Can't wait. Used to sledge down Pendle Hill as a child - a magical, wonderful place.......Jane Diamond
Justin Eccles 14-Jan-2010 17:11
Hello, my name is Justin Eccles. Born in Grimsby, Ontario. My mom just showed me a picture of one of my greats aunts wedding at the Downham church. I can even pinpoint that the picture was taken on the stairs at the side of the church, very cool! The picture is from April 19th 1951 and the only thing that looks to have changed is that there is a handrail on the ledge! Sooner than later will I be coming to visit this location! Thank you for your pictures and your time!
Anybody with questions feel free to email me,
jeccles357@hotmail.com
Once again thank you for the pictures and work on this site, tremendous job!
Kathleen Bland 18-Aug-2009 17:57
My parents lived in Downham in the early 30's, and used to take me as a child in the 40's, to visit friends there. I always loved it, still do and go whenever I can. Have some watercolour paintings on my wall that I did from my own photographs, so I'm reminded of Downham every day. Love your photos, a pleasure to look at.
Sue 06-Jun-2009 20:15
Spent some time here with my gorgeous lover. It's such a beautiful tranquil place. We walked around the church yard, and around the beautiful village. The Post Office make a fab coffee and the Asheton Arms served up the most delicious fish and chips. We loved it here - and it's now our 'special place'.
Ernie Carter 20-Jan-2009 05:41
As a young boy, I used to spend a lot of time cycling around the pendle area, and especially Downham. These photo's bring back many happy childhood memories, and although I am now living many thousands of miles away, they make me feel very home-sick.
BRILLIANT !!!!
Lorraine 20-Dec-2008 01:44
I lived in Downham when I was born. The pictures are a credit to you.
hope abel 18-Oct-2008 15:25
i live in downham and i see it everyday but i must admit these photos bring out the best in the vilage. i love them. thanks
Margaret Wiseman (nee Martin) 01-May-2008 03:53
Love the photos. Visited 12 years ago. Father lived there as a lad and I still have family living in and around Downham. Margaret, Cambridge New Zealand
Janice 02-Jan-2008 12:03
What a beautiful unspoilt village. Pub does very nice food, visit on a nice day, have pub lunch and then finish off with a walk around this delightful part of the country.

PS - how do you find out about renting a cottage here??

Janice
SRW09-Sep-2007 04:36
Wonderful gallery... -- makes me homesick (I grew up in Blackburn and Darwen...)! Thank you for sharing! (V)
Christine rogers 08-Mar-2007 17:11
Downham is such a fantastic place and your pictures certainly do it justice, Long may Downham remain the same ! totally unspoilt and very very beautiful.
Guest 04-Nov-2006 23:14
Thanks. I enjoyed looking at several of your galleries. Great work.
Erkan Erdem07-Jun-2006 23:43
So are they still witch hunting over there?!
Beautiful place, is in my should visit places now...
Mark Thompson27-May-2006 14:22
Great collection of images of one of my favourite Lancashire villages.
rhett25-May-2006 09:56
Such a peaceful scenery - Thanks for disclosing this gem! ... and a vote for your masterly photos!
Cheers,
rhett
Ashtonian17-May-2006 19:45
Lovely gallery Mark. I'll make sure to ciatch it on my next visit.
Josh Bear07-May-2006 17:56
great gallery. you are right about the light and i love the colour of the stone.

Best Regards

Josh
Andrys Basten25-Apr-2006 08:11
What a gorgeous village. It seems there may be one safe town remaining on this earth! Nice light in those photos too. Thanks. (Coming from PBase forum)
GdL24-Apr-2006 20:15
I'll certainly have to add this village to my list of places to visit in England! Thanks for the views!
click on thumbnails for full image