Discover Worsthorne

Worsthorne combines a historic village centre with open landscapes and old routes into the surrounding countryside. Depending on your focus, holiday accommodation in Worsthorne can provide a starting point for exploring the village centre or for trips along the surrounding routes.

Village square, church and historic buildings

The centre is characterised by buildings whose origins mainly date back to the 19th century and which are grouped around a small church square. The Church of St John the Evangelist forms the centre of the village square. It was built in 1834–35 in the Early English style and therefore shapes an important part of the village's appearance. Church Square is also home to a Victorian drinking fountain dating from around 1862.

The historic character of the village centre is defined by the Worsthorne Conservation Area. It was designated on 10 March 1978 and is drawn tightly around the historic village centre, which was established before 1890. This provides several tangible examples of the area's architecture for your walk: the hall building of Jackson’s Farmhouse is dated to 1627 inside; one wing of the building probably dates from around 1600. Wallstreams is a farmhouse probably dating from the early 17th century, now divided into and altered as two flats. Thin sandstone rubble, corner quoins and a slate roof define its traditional appearance.

Old farms and local places to eat

Butchers Barn also tells the story of the village's rural past. The barn dates from around 1630 and is considered a rare example of a multi-bay barn. Another notable building is The Bay Horse Worsthorne. It was built in 1899 during the reign of Queen Victoria and replaced an original Elizabethan farmhouse. Today, The Bay Horse Worsthorne serves modern pub dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. This allows a visit to the village to be complemented by a dining stop without losing sight of the building's historical connection.

Routes into the countryside

Open moorland begins north and east of Worsthorne, crossed by old packhorse routes. Gorple Road runs from the village square almost exactly eastwards and is itself a medieval packhorse route. From Worsthorne, it becomes a bridleway and gives cyclists, walkers and horse riders access to the surrounding countryside. If you enjoy alternating between local history and activity during your trip, you can combine a visit to the village with time on these routes.

Extwistle Road offers another point of orientation. The narrow country road passes remote upland communities and farms. It therefore represents a quieter, rural side of the surrounding area. When choosing holiday accommodation, the main consideration is whether you plan your stay primarily around the historic buildings and village square or whether the countryside routes and upland roads will be the focus. The available destinations can thus be weighted according to your personal pace and interests, without every activity having to be of the same character.

Other places in the surrounding area

For further searches, you can also consider the places St Michael's On Wyre, Kelbrook, Charnock Richard, Penwortham, Preesall, Holcombe, Rawtenstall and Sabden. This allows Worsthorne to be compared with other possible destinations while retaining your own focus on village culture, landscape or active routes.

For the main travel overview: Lancashire.