Last updated on June 13th, 2024 at 11:15 am
Slaidburn is a village in Lancashire. It is one of those places that proves the north of England is not (or no longer) purely a place of dark satanic mills, clogs, cloth caps and Whippets; all pies and prejudice as Stuart Maconie might have put it.
As a Southerner in exile, I grudgingly admit that some northern villages look stunning in the right light. On a bright day, you can almost imagine yourself in a rather damp corner of the Cotswolds, stonework all a-glowing in the sunlight. However, that we are emphatically in the north is clear from the amount of algae, lichen and moss thriving on walls relatively untroubled by the sun’s rays. And the architecture. I love Britain’s regional variations, which even as culture inexorably and becomes more drearily uniform, can still be spotted in speech – and in older architecture. The basic fabric of villages is generally similar – the church, the manor, the rectory, the inn, the school; but they certainly look different wherever you go. In the north, a harsher climate and historically less affluence inclines toward more austere, functional, buildings – often with smaller windows. Stone predominates and this can produce settlements with an almost oppressive medieval feel about them, although in truth most stone domestic buildings are unlikely to be older than the 16th century.
Slaidburn looks as though it has been there forever and is, frankly, a delight. It sits in the Hodder Valley on the southern edge of the Forest of Bowland, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, at the confluence of the Croasdale Brook and the River Hodder, and on a staggered crossroads. The route from Bentham to the north over the bulk of Bowland is called the Skaithe by the time it gets to Slaidburn – probably Old Norse for ‘track’, or even ‘race-track’. The road south leads to the town of Clitheroe. To the northeast are the Yorkshire Dales. Slaidburn itself used to be in the West Riding of Yorkshire and was Slateborne (slaeget or sleget) in the Domesday Survey of 1086, meaning ‘stream by the sheep pasture’. The village was once the administrative centre for the Forest of Bowland; the halmote (manorial) court over the Hark to Bounty Inn being in use until the 1930s. Forest in this context does not mean a large area of woodland as we might understand it, but refers to a designated hunting area, or chase, from medieval times. The Lordship of Bowland is potentially much older, perhaps reaching back to the old 6th/7th century kingdom of Rheged.
The predominant building material in Slaidburn is sandstone, with some limestone. The buildings huddle together along the roads, ribbon-like. Some houses are 17th century, some 18th, most are early 19th; it is hard to spot anything newer than Victorian. Simple two-up, two-down cottages that open directly onto the street would have been the dwellings of farm workers or perhaps home-working weavers. Other properties are a little grander. Slaidburn has some 50 listed buildings – a huge number for a village with a population of fewer than 400. The almost complete absence of modern structures gives the place a timeless atmosphere, despite the presence of expensive motor cars parked carelessly outside some houses. These do suggest that 21st century Slaidburn has a bob or two sloshing around somewhere. I mean, it even boasts its own lovely gift shop, home to the Bowland Chocolate Company. And very nice they are too. I then discovered that you cannot buy a house in Slaidburn because the village is still owned by the Squire. So, maybe it’s a little medieval, after all; the tumbrils have yet to rattle along Church Street.
The position of squire, or lord of the manor, of course dates back centuries. Since 1855, the Slaidburn estate has been owned by the King-Wilkinson family and since 2011 the squire has been Mrs Anthea Hodson. The fact of it being an estate village helps explain the lack of modern monstrosities and why Slaidburn generally looks so neat and tidy. Local authorities don’t seem able to achieve that kind of perfection, do they?
As the local magistrate, the squire would have presided over the court in the Hark to Bounty Inn. The courthouse dates from 1590 and it is thought its predecessor was situated near the village green, by the river. The inn is older. To quote from Hark to Bounty’s website :
“The inn is reputed to date back to the 1300s, although most of the existing fabric of the building dates from the 16th century. The inn was known as The Dog until 1875, when the Squire of the village, who was also the Rector, had a pack of hounds. One day whilst out hunting, he and his party called at the inn for refreshments. Their drinking was disturbed by a loud and prolonged baying from the pack outside. High above the noise of the other hounds could be heard the squire’s favourite dog, which prompted him to call out…
“Hark to Bounty!” “
The green referred to above is adjacent to a rather nice 18th century bridge over the Hodder on the east side of the village. You will cross over it if you come into Slaidburn on the B6478 from Long Preston and the Dales. In the 19th century, rabbit skins were dried on the green before being combined with wool and made into hats. Millinery was a local thing, apparently. Opposite is a very convenient car park, which also boasts a public toilet. I’m guessing that is a further benefit of being an estate village, because it would probably take our local parish council years of pain to organise such a beneficial facility – even if it owned the land. There is also a handy café next door – at one time a joiner’s shop. Across the road, Slaidburn’s village hall is one of the few newer buildings – and it is a tasteful marriage with the past, being built on the site of a former early 19th century Methodist Chapel, whose original external features have been retained facing the street.
The oldest building in many villages is often the parish church that, at one time, everyone would have attended. St Andrew’s, Slaidburn dates from the 15th century, though there was a church there long before that – probably from the 13th century, maybe earlier. It’s a disproportionately large building, perhaps designed for a larger population, at the southern end of the village. It has some fine interior woodwork, including a three-decker pulpit and some 17th century box pews. One guide book even mentions a collection of dog whips. Unfortunately, the door was locked when we visited so, sadly we saw none of those things. I do like churches, but can’t decide whether the depressing, grey, render St Andrew’s has been coated in makes it merely grim, or plain ugly.
A fragment of a medieval stone cross stands near the church tower with an 18th century sundial nearby sitting on some steps. Some believe the steps were those of a medieval market cross that once stood in the centre of the village.
There is a special place next door – Brennand’s School. What a splendid building! Etched in slate above the door: “THIS GRAMMAR SCHOOL was Erected and Endowed by JOHN BRENNAND late of Panehill in this Parish, Gentleman, who died the 15th day of May in the Year of our LORD 1717” By 1878, 50 children were on the roll, rising to 80 in 1905 when girls joined. It became a primary school in 1947.
A fascinating building caught my eye between the school and the village centre. It is like something from a film set, old stone walls behind a small cobbled courtyard with steps leading up to a first floor entrance. Somewhere inside is the Slaidburn Archive, what you might call a heritage centre. Looking at their website I can only imagine how much work has gone into this fabulous project. Whoever is – or was – behind it deserves the village’s gratitude; a lesson for every community.
Villages in Britain are microcosms of Britain’s story, albeit with the regional variations mentioned earlier. It is fascinating to consider which great events the residents of long ago would have experienced first-hand, or known about; intriguing to speculate what went through their minds. This piece barely scratches the surface, but one structure that has always caught my eye when passing through Slaidburn is the very moving war memorial. It stands at the junction of the Skaithe and Chapel Street, in a place where I imagine a market cross may well have once been, and features a life-size bronze statue of a soldier of the First World War, standing in rest on arms reverse position as a mark of respect. Commemorated on the memorial are 30 men from this agricultural area, six of whom were from Slaidburn, who lost their lives in the two World Wars.
Still is part of the West Riding of Yorkshire.
Alas, technically not. Unless it’s changed again – anything’s possible.
My mother lived in this pretty place in the 1920s/1930s The youngest pupils in the school would learn to tell the time by looking at the clock on the outside of the nearby old church.
Thank you for contributing that wonderful snippet, Mrs Ryall.
HI Mike, this is an interesting post. I didn’t know you still had villages in England that were owned by squires, that is incredible.
There are are several estate villages in Britain, Robbie. Often spotted by recurring colour schemes and emblems on buildings. I didn’t know Slaidburn was one until I looked into it, though.
What a charming village. It’s the kind of spot one would love to visit and just imagine a time past. That B&B looks like a good spot to rest one’s head! And yes, the school is a fabulous building. Thanks for the introduction!
Thanks, Jeanie – yes it has that timeless feel about it…
what a lovely tour through this area! So interesting to consider what you said about these villages being microcosms of Britain’s history.
Thanks, Meg; glad you enjoyed it. i guess all old villages are…
Slaidburn is indeed delightful. Found my great great great grandfather’s grave in the churchyard – three wives and eleven children, although not all listed on the stone! The interior of the church is well worth a look; certainly neither grim nor ugly! Small entrance door on the north side.
Mr H! – that’s wonderful! Did you know it was there, or was it a chance discovery? I will take your advice on the church next time…
I wonder whether you managed to find Garter King of Arms, who lives in Slaidburn!
We did not – I need to know more about this!
This village looks lovely. I had not heard of it before and have not seen buildings covered with green moss. So interesting to see.
It’s an interesting and often beautiful area, CP.
This is very near me. A few friends went to the primary school in the 80s. And I have enjoyed Friday Fish Nights at the Hark To Bounty. A lovely village. 🙂
Sounds good. Hark to Bounty looks like my kind of inn!
Looks beautiful. Stupid history question raised by your intro. Were both sides in the War of the Roses from the North?
Not a stupid question – thank you for thinking I might know the answer. The ‘Wars of the Roses’ were not regional, but dynastic – the fighting factions had lands all over the country. Bit about it here – A violent royal soap opera
Wow. That is really confusing. Thanks for the summary
I hope not too confusing!
Mike, visited Slaidburn today (Easter Sunday) on the strength of your interesting blog and it didn’t disappoint. It’s a shame you didn’t get into the church. Despite the concrete rendering on the inside walls it was still beautiful, carefully tended and the many box pews were fascinating, some still had the original small ornate metal latches on the doors. What a pretty village it is on a warm spring day, loved it.
Thank you so much for leaving a comment, Marion. Glad you enjoyed it – I’ll try the church again next time!
Another delightful piece ol’ chap. Feels as if I was there.
Thank you, old bean; I felt the same…
That’s nice. Wait a minute . . . you were there weren’t you … ?
It is amazing to me that Britain’s architecture had important regional variations, in such a tiny country. I say this even though regions had to take note of their local rainfall, temperature and proximity to the coast.
Brennand’s School is pretty classy!
It is, isn’t it! I’m sure climate plays its part in a place’s character.
I do enjoy your blog posts…delving into the history of a place and bringing it to life in the process….
Just wondering if the lady squire has retained the ‘droit de seigneur’….
That’s very flattering, Helen – thank you! And a highly amusing ponder on your part!
Ah. An Estate village – that must explain it
Whatever it is… 🙂
Hi Mike – what an amazing village to find out about … I’d no idea – also that archive seems to be extraordinary … fascinating. I agree re the ‘dullness’ of the look of the church … cheers to you – Happy Easter – Hilary
So many lovely places, Hilary – we’re very lucky. I think whoever is responsible for the archive deserves an award!
My late sister in law, Jenny Bradley, did a lot of research in the early days of the archives. She was born and brought up in Slaidburn along with 5 siblings. After marrying Donald Bradley who worked at Dunnow school, they moved away but then came back after retirement, she lived the village and even joined the band when in her sixties. She had tried to join when a little girl but was told they didn’t allow girls in t’band! The family name was Mason.
That’s a wonderful addition to the story, Audrey – thank you very much!
My great uncle is on the war memorial, and another member of the family was landlord of the Hark to Bounty in the late 19th century. The Clitheroe war memorial has exactly the same statue, but that one has the name of my great grandfather (from another branch of the family. Always nice to see a piece about the area.
That’s great to have inadvertently touched a local link for you. I’m really pleased. Yes, I’ve seen similar statues elsewhere – it’s very elegant and moving, in any event.
‘Villages in Britain are microcosms of Britain’s story.’ You hit the nail on the head, Mike. Thank goodness you tell the stories of villages. This was a wonderful post.
Thanks, Jennie – it’s something I should do more of, I think. Not enough hours in the day!
I know what you mean!
Your blog posts are SUCH a pleasure to read, Mike. What a special place! And you always manage to find great details (such as rabbit hides drying in the sun) to weave into your narrative. Now I find myself curious to learn more about the “6th/7th century kingdom of Rheged” as well as how one would rent/lease a dwelling from “the squire.” Does ‘the squire” simply act as a landlord for the entire town? THANK YOU for a lovely armchair visit to northern England!
You always say such nice things, Will! I think most of the property, but not all, is owned by the estate – and presumably it’s managed by an estate team. There’s a bit about early British kingdoms in the history section of the website…
This place has great appeal.
Yes – something about it.
Very interesting to this Aussie gal
That’s good to hear, Joanne!
A good few years since we passed that way. Long may it continue in the manner it has been accustomed to!
I’ll drink to that, Peter!
Such an amazing village . Thanks Anita
Thanks, Anita. It’s fascinating.
Wow, Mike, this is such a beautiful village! I would love to visit it.
Thanks, John – yes, it’s a little gem.
Thanks, this brought back happy memories of childhood visits when we used to visit the Jam Pot gift shop and buy jam and other goodies!
Sounds good! I wonder if that’s now the chocolate shop.
I haven’t been back for so long that it’s hard to remember where it was. Not far from the bridge end of the village, I think, but on the opposite side of the road.
Sounds about right.