Two specific landmarks shape the view of Worsthorne: the small village square and the open moorland north and east of the village. The Church of St John the Evangelist is the focal point of the square. The buildings around the small church square mostly date back to the 19th century. At the same time, old packhorse routes cross the moorland. The village scene thus brings together a historic centre and a landscape with a long history of routes.
Village Square and Historic Centre
Worsthorne Conservation Area was designated on 10 March 1978 and is drawn tightly around the historic village centre, which predates 1890. The dates refer to different things: the origins of the village centre, the designation of the conservation area, and the age of individual buildings. The Church of St John the Evangelist was built in 1834–35 in the Early English style. A Victorian drinking fountain dating from around 1862 stands in Church Square. Together, the church and fountain provide two specific historical landmarks for the square; the designated village centre also extends beyond individual buildings.
Architectural Forms from Different Centuries
Individual houses and agricultural buildings also offer their own historical and architectural points of interest. The hall building at Jackson’s Farmhouse is dated 1627 on the interior; one wing probably dates from around 1600. Wallstreams is a farmhouse that probably dates from the early 17th century, but has since been altered and divided into two dwellings. Its walls of thin sandstone rubble, corner quoins and slate roof are distinctive features of the building. Butchers Barn dates from around 1630 and is a rare example of a multi-aisled barn. “Multi-aisled” describes its division into several longitudinal sections and draws attention to the barn’s structure, not just its age. The close dates of around 1600, 1627 and 1630 refer to different buildings and building elements.
Gorple Road and the Open Moorland
From the village square, Gorple Road runs almost due east; it is a medieval packhorse route. Beyond Worsthorne, the road becomes a bridleway, giving cyclists, walkers and horse riders access to the surrounding countryside. The moorland north and east of the village is also crossed by old packhorse routes. This places a specific historic route alongside a broader landscape. Extwistle Road is a narrow country lane that passes remote upland communities and farms. These descriptions distinguish the routes by their stated characteristics: for Gorple Road, its direction, history and user groups are given; for Extwistle Road, its type and the places it passes are specified.
The Bay Horse: History and Pub Food
The Bay Horse Worsthorne also has its own building history: it was built in 1899 during the reign of Queen Victoria, replacing an original Elizabethan farmhouse. The pub serves modern dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. As the menu may change, it is worth checking the current menu before visiting. Local food and another historic building thus add to the impressions of the village square, architectural forms and old routes.
Discover more destinations: Rawtenstall, Tunstall, Haslingden, Colne, Longridge, Whittingham, Withnell, Goosnargh
For the regional travel overview: Lancashire.
