Pendle - Wicked Witches Villages

Essential Intel - Two of the clues are inside St. Mary's Churchyard which closes at 5pm. You will need to make sure you leave yourself enough time to solve them. 

Navigating The Route

This is a driving Detective Mystery around the Pendle villages of Barrowford, Downham, Newchurch and Barley, with Detectives following a bewitching trail of clues to uncover who was behind the suspicious downfall of enchanting Miss Sabrina.

The investigation takes around 3-4 hours in total, with approximately 18 miles of driving and 1.5 miles of walking. At each village, you will leave the squad car to investigate on foot, following clues along footpaths and lanes, with a short stretch across grass.

This Trail is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. There are steps, footpaths, lanes and grassy sections to tackle, and some parts of the route have no pavement, so keep younger Detectives and canine colleagues close while moving between clues.

Getting There

Time to gather your squad and begin this spellbinding investigation:

By car - The investigation begins in Barrowford at the Pendle Heritage Centre, which is signposted from Junction 13 of the M65. Park in the car park across the road from the Centre (BB9 6JQ). From the car park, cross the road carefully, watching for traffic coming from the right over the bridge.

After your first set of clues in Barrowford, the case continues by car to Downham (BB7 4BS), then on to Newchurch in Pendle and finally Barley.

Please note that the scenic route to Downham includes a narrow lane, so if you would rather avoid that, use sat nav for an alternative.

By public transport

This Trail is designed as a driving route between several villages, so you will need a car to complete it as planned.

Need the Loo?

Even top Detectives need a comfort break during a long shift. Toilets and a cafe can be found at Barrowford Heritage Centre at the start of the Trail. There is also a cafe, pub and some famously unusual toilets at Downham, while Barley has a cafe, pub and toilets waiting at the end of the route.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Detectives can join the case 🐾

This outdoor investigation includes village lanes, churchyards, footpaths and a short grassy stretch, so keep canine colleagues close throughout. Take extra care in places where there is no pavement, and keep dogs under control around roads, bridges and the busier village spots.

Food & Drink Stops

Cracking a witchy whodunnit can leave a squad feeling properly peckish.

You will have a few chances to refuel along the way, with a cafe at Barrowford Heritage Centre at the start, a cafe and pub in Downham, and a cafe and pub in Barley at the end. If your team prefers to bring supplies, there are plenty of scenic spots along the route for a quick picnic pause between clues.

Want to Make a Day of It?

Pendle Heritage Centre

The investigation begins at Pendle Heritage Centre in Barrowford, making it a natural place to start your day properly. It is a handy base with facilities, refreshments and a strong local-history feel before the case heads off into Pendle witch country.

Downham

Downham is one of the prettiest villages on the route and sits beneath the mighty bulk of Pendle Hill. Its lack of overhead wires, aerials and satellite dishes gives it a wonderfully timeless look, which is why it is often used as a filming location for period dramas.

Newchurch in Pendle

Newchurch is steeped in Pendle witch history, with St Mary’s churchyard linked to some of the most famous names from the 1612 witch trials. It is a fascinating stop for anyone wanting to soak up more of the area’s eerie past while following the clues.

Barley and Pendle Hill

The final part of the case reaches Barley, one of the best-known jumping-off points for Pendle Hill. With lovely scenery, refreshment stops and that brooding hill above, it is a great place to linger once the investigation is wrapped up and the culprit has been unmasked.