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Pendle Witches

Be Spellbound by Lancashire's Spookiest Tourist Trail...

Every year tens of thousands of people visit Pendle to take in the spectacular countryside and spellbinding story of the Pendle Witches, the most famous witches in the land.

Over four hundred years since the imprisonment, trial and deaths of the Pendle Witches people are as fascinated as ever and some people even remain on the summit overnight just to take in the atmosphere.

In Lancashire, the victims include two rival families led by two, poverty-stricken old women, Demdike and Chattox. The path to disaster for these two, and the rest can be traced to a day in March 1612 when old Demdike's granddaughter Alizon Device, begging on the road to Colne cursed a pedlar. Device then ordered a black dog that suddenly appeared to lame him. Device was brought before the local magistrates when she confessed to being a witch and implicated others.

St Mary's Church, Newchurch

The Witch Trail now includes the 16th Century St Mary's Church, Newchurch. Somewhere there is the site of Malkin Tower where the witches and their supporters met and where human bones, were found together with a clay image.

Lancaster Castle

The journey to Lancaster Castle lasted three days and they were imprisoned in a black hole. Old Demdike did not survive the experience but eight others went on to their deaths on a moor about a mile from the castle, an event watched by thousands.

The Pendle Witch Experience

The witch industry also includes the Pendle Witch Experience, a mini-bus tour.
Join the tour and experience the story of the most famous witchcraft trail in English history. A Blue Badge Guide unfolds stories that will freeze the blood whilst beautiful scenery lifts spirits.

The Witches Galore

the Witches Galore shop at Newchurch-in-Pendle which attract visitors from all over the world - all intrigued by the 16th Century fear andobsession with witchcraft that was rooted in religious persecution and superstition.

Pendle Heritage Centre

Situated beside an ancient crossing of Pendle Water, this group of attractive Listed Grade II farm buildings and walled garden, only a mile from the M65, offers the ideal day out for the whole family, and the perfect base from which to explore the Pendle area either on foot or by car.

A Haunting Experience

The renowned Simon Entwistle and the inimitable Frank Watson have brought together their vast knowledge of things natural, supernatural and just plain spooky to offer you the very best in personal guided tours of the Ribble Valley and the area surrounding mysterious Pendle Hill. Specialists in guiding small groups around this historic countryside, either on foot or in the comfort of our 4 wheel drive vehicle.

Judges Lodgings

Built around 1625, this is Lancaster's oldest townhouse and was once home to the chilling witch-hunter Thomas Covell. Covell was six times Mayor of Lancaster and Keeper of Lancaster Castle for 48 years. He was responsible for the imprisonment and death of the Lancashire Witches in 1612. The house ceased to be a family home in 1826 and became the Judges' Lodgings house until 1975, acting as the home to visiting Assize Judges.

Moorhouses Brewery

Established in 1865 by William Moorhouse.Today the owners maintain the traditions and values established all those years ago. Pendle Witches Brew is produced by craftsmen using traditional brewing techniques and equipment. Pendle Witches Brew is named after striking Pendle Hill and an area steeped in legends of witchcraft that date back to 1580.