Slaidburn Village and Archive

Having met at Slaidburn car park the group made their way uphill into the village to the church. Opposite is the 17th century Church Stile Farm with one of the few weatherwalls ( a separate wall with a gap between it and the gable end) on its west side, to help protect against the rain. The school has a segmented open pediment with an inscription in memory of John Brennand. Nearby is the Slaidburn Archive Centre in a 17th century small building, much altered over time, with a small yard to the rear and an ornate doorhead. Helen Wallbank welcomed us to look around downstairs. Nearby is Horns Farm with a datestone TP 1677 on a battlemented doorhead common in the Lancaster area. Further up the street is the Youth Hostel with a late 18th century front but in the yard can be seen evidence of an older building - an old lintel in the wall, gutter brackets and cavetto mullions. The Hark to Bounty is a 17th century listed building with watershot stonework at the higher level on the right hand side. The court room was on this upper floor. The doorways are suggestive of the style of the late 1500s. At the rear of the inn can be seen an ornate doorhead on a side property.

After looking at other ancient buildings in the village a visit was made to Hamerton Hall with its outstanding frontage which we were able to look at closely. Once again Kevin lead us on a very informative tour which all present enjoyed.