Pendle Hill, Newchurch-in-Pendle and Clarion House (9-mile circular walk)

A wonderful, near 9-mile walk (on the strenuous side of moderate!) from the beautiful village of Barley. The walk starts from The Avenue Car Park (Barley Car Park), which costs £3 to park all day (you can pay on departure, or entry … the car park has number recognition!).  There are toilets at the start, and there is an excellent café (The Cabin) at the start too, should you wish to arrive at the start in good time to purchase breakfast or a café. 

We will leave Barley through the picnic site and head up Pendle Hill, via its ‘Big End’, to reach its summit at 1827 feet above sea level.  Hopefully we’ll have a clear day so that we can enjoy the views!  After a short stay at the summit, we then descend, passing down Boar Clough to reach the Upper and Lower Ogden Reservoirs where we’ll have our first of two longer ‘refreshment’ breaks.

However, as we approach the Lower Ogden Reservoir, we shall cross the stream and head uphill through ‘Fell Wood’ before progressing down into the village of Newchurch-in-Pendle.  Leaving Newchurch, we will walk a short distance through woodland and then farmland to reach Clarion House. 

For anyone not aware of Clarion House this was built in 1912 as part of the Clarion movement. A hundred years ago there were scores of Clarion Houses dotted across the North West, London and Scotland. This is the last remaining one, providing a monument to the Clarion societies that provided fellowship and community to working people and helped spread the word of socialism. They provided affordable refreshments, literature, and a space for relaxation and camaraderie in rural settings. The ethos was to encourage healthy recreation and political discussion.  It remains a symbol of the movement's historical impact and serves as a living museum to the ideals and lifestyle promoted by the Clarion movement, and is now open on Sundays and some Bank Holidays

We’ll remain at Clarion House for approximately 30 minutes to enjoy its environment and partake of refreshments. Please note that, whilst you are welcome to eat your own food inside or outside Clarion House, you are encouraged to purchase their refreshments.  They are particularly well-known for serving tea in large (pint) mugs!

Leaving Clarion House, after a short while we head back uphill for excellent views across the valley to Pendle Hill. We then progress downhill to pass by the village of Roughlee, though a couple of woods before finally returning to our start point and well-deserved refreshments at The Pendle Inn.