Pendle Heritage Centre
The Pendle Heritage Centre at Park Hill in Barrowford is situated beside an ancient crossing of Pendle Water.
The centre is set in a range of tastefully restored Grade II Listed farm buildings and .consists of a museum, art gallery, gift shop, tea-room, an eighteenth century walled garden, cruck barn with farmyard animals and tourist information.
The museum contains a wealth of information about the history of the farmhouse, as well as the fascinating story of the notorious Pendle witches and of the Bannister family who built the original house in the 1400's. Exhibitions include- The story of a Lancashire farmhouse. Dating back to the fifteenth century, Park Hill was a working farm for most of its existence. Visitors may use the inter-active computer to see how Park Hill grew from the first timber framed building to the house seen today. The story of the notorious Pendle Witches which resulted in their famous trial at Lancaster in 1612. The history of the Bannister family, who settled at Park Hill in the 1400s, and the Swinglehursts who occupied part of the house from the late eighteenth century and built the Georgian extension.
The Art Gallery is housed in the Park Hill Barn. There is a regular changing exhibition of work by professional artists and crafts-persons.
The garden is stocked with authentic plants from the eighteenth century and houses a small museum about it’s restoration. From the garden you can take the woodland walk to the splendid fifteenth century cruck framed barn which was rescued from demolition in the 1980′s and re-erected at Park Hill.
The Parlour Shop is stocked with a wide range of publications including local history, local interest, cookery and gardening books, souvenirs, confectionery, preserves and lots more. The TIC staff will help you get the most out of your visit to this beautiful and little known area including ideas for walks, places to visit and overnight. accommodation.
The garden tea room overlooks the walled garden and specialises in home-cooked and traditional Lancashire dishes.