The ‘frozen in time’ village often used to film British TV shows and movies – where everyday items are banned
THERE’S a village in the UK where holidaymakers feel like they’ve stepped back in time.
The picturesque village is home to stone-built cottages and a winding brook.
Set in Lancashire, Downham is a small English village that’s been owned by the Assheton family since the 16th century.
The family is responsible for keeping Downham, and its surrounding estate, well-managed.
While none of the buildings are privately-owned, the family rents local cottages to people who want to be a part of the community.
In a bid to maintain the village’s historic image, the Assheton family has kept Downham free from TV aerials and road signs, and its electricity cables are even buried underneath its roads.
The village has also been used as a filming location for the BBC TV show The Secret Of Crickley Hall, starring Suranne Jones.
It’s been used as the backdrop for other television shows too, like Whistle Down the Wind and Born and Bred.
In addition to impressing filmmakers, Downham is also popular with tourists.
TikTok user Sandy, who is known as sandymakessense, on the social media platform, recently posted a video about her trip to Downham.
In the video, she said: “This region is home to a sleepy village frozen in time as there are no road signs or TV satellites anywhere to be found.
“It is also home to many mystical places, such as the eerie Pendle Sculpture trail, the haunted Samlesbury Hall or the Harry Potter-esque booksop Halewood and sons.”
In the video, Sandy wandered through the village where she the façade of several stone cottages, as well as shots of a narrow stream, and a stone bridge.
Sandy even stopped for ice cream at Downham Ice Cream Shop before she walked the Pendle Sculpture Trail.
The video has had more than 250,000 views, with locals from the area pleased with the village’s coverage.
There are several tourist attractions in Downham and the surrounding area, including the village’s church tower, which is an example of 15th-century architecture.
Other popular attractions include walking routes like the Downham Circular Walk and Chatburn Circular Walk.
Downham is also associated with the Pendle witch trials.
In 1610, the English village was associated with the Pendle Witch Trials.
Because the trial was so well-documented, it is considered to be one of the most notorious in the UK.
The Pendle Witch Trials resulted in ten women being hanged for a series of murders in the area.
One of those women was Alice Nutter, who was said to have been hiding at Downham Old Hall as she awaited her trial.
To delve into some of the area’s history, visitors should make a beeline for the Pendle Sculpture Trail.
Set in Aitken Wood, just a short drive away from Downham, holidaymakers can walk through the woodland, where they’ll spot stone witches and mythical sculptures.
The Pendle Sculpture Trail has received good reviews on TripAdvisor too.
One person wrote: “A great location in the woods, with easy paths to follow and great sculptures.”
While another added: “In a wonderful setting, the sculpture trail is a great way to spend an hour or two.
“Nestled inside a wonderful forest alongside a reservoir, the sculptures were both weird, wonderful, and poignant.”
The trail is free to enter, and it can take several hours to walk.
Other nearby attractions include the Hatch Brook Waterfall in the Brinscall Woods.
There are several places to eat in Downham too, including Greendale View Kitchen and the Assheton Arms.
Holidaymakers wishing to stay overnight can book a room at The Assheton Arms, with stays starting from £65 per person, based on two people sharing a room.
Downham is a one-hour drive away from Manchester, and it’s an hour and 20-minute drive from Leeds.
Earlier this year, residents in Downham explained that they were happy to welcome tourists.
Elaine Barton, 53, told Sun Online: “It’s a beautiful part of Lancashire so it’s hardly surprising so many people come here.
“We have lots of walkers and cyclists coming to Downham and it is a very popular route for school children on their DoE expeditions.”
And the UK is also home to another time-warp tourist “town” that’s like travelling back to the 1920s.
The “living museum” of Beamish in County Durham allows people to see what life would have been like in the UK between the 1820s – 1950s, with replica homes, pubs, shops, businesses and more.
Meanwhile, this UK town has been compared to a dreamy Italian village.
And here are some of the most tranquil staycation spots in the country.
