Great Harwood: History and Nature

Great Harwood brings together architectural history, green spaces and recurring events. When choosing a destination for a hotel stay, these themes appeal to different interests: historic buildings, connections with nature or an annual event. The following examples offer specific points to consider. You can use them to plan your trip around the aspect of Great Harwood that interests you most.

Historic Traces in Great Harwood

The Church of St Bartholomew dates in part to the early 16th century; its tower dates to the 15th century. The church also contains a font dating from 1662. These different dates draw attention to three historical layers: the partly early building fabric, the older tower and the later-dated font. More than a hundred years separate the tower and the font.

The Mercer Memorial Clock Tower at Town Gate commemorates the life and achievements of John Mercer; its opening ceremony took place on 20 June 1903. Great Harwood Town Hall was completed in 1900. The former goods station still has the stationmaster’s house and two gate pillars. These examples represent different aspects of history: personal commemoration, public architecture and traces of the former goods station.

Park, Woodland and Former Railway Lines

Memorial Park offers a scenic contrast to the buildings: it is elevated and offers views north towards Pendle Hill. Martholme Greenway offers a different combination; it is a walking and cycling route through woodland along a reclaimed former railway line. If you want to focus more on nature, the park and the Greenway offer different points of interest: views on the one hand, and woodland and railway heritage on the other.

White Path and the North Lancashire Loop also follow former railway routes. The White Path section follows a straight former railway line on the edge of Great Harwood’s outlying areas. The North Lancashire Loop, also known as the Great Harwood Loop, follows the former railway trackbed. Check the route conditions locally before taking this loop.

The “Memorial Park Biological Heritage Pack” includes a nature trail and insect-finding activities. It complements the park’s landscape with specific opportunities to explore nature.

Annual Events

The Horticultural & Craft Show in Great Harwood is held annually and has been running for more than 25 years. The Boundary Walk is also an annual community event. The events have different focuses: the show centres on horticulture and crafts, while the Boundary Walk is a community event. If you want to plan your trip around one of these events, check the exact dates in advance.

Discover more destinations: Newchurch, Southfield, Colne, Haslingden, Up Holland, Scorton, Longridge, Lytham Saint Annes

For the main travel overview: Lancashire.