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Pictures of Samlesbury

in the county of Lancashire

Samlesbury Hall

About Samlesbury

Samlesbury is fortunate that the once heavy traffic which once thundered through its leafy lanes is now drawn to the mighty M6, thus allowing peace to return to the village, which is home to the beautiful old Samlesbury Hall.

The village lies in spacious countryside in the lovely Ribble Valley, an area that is awash with old farmsteads and ancient meadows peacefully grazed by cattle and sheep. Here and there are old and interesting cottages and houses whose ancient walls are enlivened with Virginia creeper, colourful in rich autumnal shades of glowing gold and vivid reds.

Dominating the area is Samlesbury Hall, a magnificent property built by the Southworth family. The building shows two distinctly different styles, the one side is heavily timbered with panels cut with an intricate four-leaf design and is inset with small stained glass windows, whilst the west side is of handsome red brick and stone mullioned windows. This superb dwelling has a chequered history, it was sold by the Southworths to settle a debt. However, Sir Thomas Southworth left his mark on the house when he carved his name on a beam in 1532. Following the sale of the property the house fell into various hands and had a variety of uses. It was at one time an inn and then a school, it was also a house in which it said that the famous author Charles Dickens stayed. After a lengthy period of neglect, a trust was formed in 1925 when the hall, built in 1325, was thankfully restored to its former glory. The trust continues to administer the property which is open daily for the sale of antiques, weddings and exhibitions. On display is a collection of needlework which belonged to the last family member to live in the house. Interestingly, this house is a must for lovers of ghosts and all things spiritual for even today strange tales survive of ghostly happenings in this exquisite Elizabethan gem.

The nearby church of St. Leonard built on the banks of the Ribble, contains a helmet and sword together with a crest thought to belong to Sir Thomas Southworth who died in 1546. This is an enchanting church which has many reminders of its ancient past, these include a silver penny from the reign of Henry III, it is displayed in a two tier pulpit. The exterior of the church has a stone turreted tower dating from just before the turn of the 19th-century.

Should you chance to be in this part of the country it is well worth departing from the M6 to tarry a while to explore and enjoy this lovely village with its gracious hall. Other precious gems in the ever encroaching urban sprawl of the towns of Blackburn and Preston are; Houghton Tower and Chingle Hall. Both large towns have museums showing much of the regions history.


Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.

Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Samlesbury

Samlesbury Hall(1.0 miles, 1.6 km)Pictures
Hoghton Tower(2.7 miles, 4.3 km, direction S)Pictures
Preston Guildhall(4.0 miles, 6.5 km, direction W)Pictures
Harris Museum & Art Gallery, Preston(4.6 miles, 7.4 km, direction W)Pictures
Blackburn Cathedral(4.8 miles, 7.7 km, direction E)Pictures
Cuerden Valley Country Park(4.9 miles, 7.9 km, direction SW)Pictures
Bold Venture Park(7.4 miles, 11.9 km, direction SE)Pictures
Astley Hall(7.5 miles, 12.0 km, direction S)Pictures
Beacon Fell Country Park(7.5 miles, 12.1 km, direction N)Pictures
Darwen Tower(7.9 miles, 12.6 km, direction SE)Pictures
Whalley Abbey(8.3 miles, 13.4 km, direction NE)Pictures
Brock Bottoms(8.7 miles, 14.0 km, direction NW)Pictures
Camelot Theme Park(9.6 miles, 15.5 km, direction SW)Pictures
Clitheroe Castle(10.8 miles, 17.4 km, direction NE)Pictures
The Ribble Valley(11.2 miles, 18.0 km, direction NE)Pictures

All attractions in Samlesbury
All attractions in Lancashire
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near Samlesbury

Hoghton, in the county of Lancashire (3.1 miles, 5.0 km, direction S)
It was here that James I created "Sirloin" when he supposedly knighted his beef!
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Preston, in the county of Lancashire (4.2 miles, 6.7 km, direction W)
This is the town that was at the centre of the cotton spinning industry for well over a hundred and fifty years.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Ribchester, a Picturesque Village in the county of Lancashire (4.2 miles, 6.8 km, direction NE)
A picturesque village in the Ribble Valley
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Hurst Green, a Picturesque Village in the county of Lancashire (6.7 miles, 10.8 km, direction NE)
This pretty Lancastrian villages the setting for historic Stoneyhurst, a noted school which was founded in the 16th-century.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Chorley, in the county of Lancashire (8.0 miles, 12.9 km, direction S)
The town's historic roots go back beyond the Bronze-Age, as evidenced by findings in the 20th century.
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Oswaldtwistle, in the county of Lancashire (8.2 miles, 13.2 km, direction E)
This is a large, typical Lancashire village lying close to the urban sprawl of Blackburn and Accrington.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Accrington, in the county of Lancashire (9.5 miles, 15.2 km, direction E)
Some of the town's loveliest architecture comes from the Victorian era, this can be seen in the elegant Victorian Market Hall with its clock and rich display of sculpture.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Croston, a Picturesque Village in the county of Lancashire (10.3 miles, 16.5 km, direction SW)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Waddington, in the county of Lancashire (11.2 miles, 18.0 km, direction NE)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Edgworth, in the county of Lancashire (11.9 miles, 19.2 km, direction SE)
This attractive hillside village occupies a pleasant rural location close to two pretty reservoirs and the historic house known as Turton Tower.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Padiham, in the county of Lancashire (11.9 miles, 19.2 km, direction E)
Padiham is a thriving Lancashire town lying on the Calder River. It is most famous as the home of Gawthorpe Hall, a noted...
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Dunsop Bridge, in the county of Lancashire (12.7 miles, 20.4 km, direction N)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Rufford, in the county of Lancashire (12.7 miles, 20.5 km, direction SW)
Noted for its picturesque late-medieval manor house Rufford Old Hall, the village of Rufford occupies a fine setting on the fertile Lancashire Plains.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Scorton, in the county of Lancashire (13.2 miles, 21.3 km, direction NW)
The picturesque village of Scorton lies to the west of the Bowland Forest beneath the shadow of Calder Fell, in an area much famed for its sparkling streams, fells and forest glades inhabited by wildlife.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Ramsbottom, in the county of Greater Manchester (14.2 miles, 22.9 km, direction SE)
The countryside surrounding the town offers lakes, woods and hills, with distant Winter Hill rising to a height of 456 feet.
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All towns in Lancashire
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

M6 Junction 31(1.4 miles, 2.3 km, direction W)
M6 Junction 30(2.9 miles, 4.7 km, direction SW)
Pleasington Station(3.5 miles, 5.6 km, direction SE)
Bamber Bridge Station(3.9 miles, 6.2 km, direction SW)
Blackpool Airport(17.7 miles, 28.5 km, direction W)
Manchester Airport(31.5 miles, 50.7 km, direction SE)
Samlesbury to London(187.7 miles, 302.1 km, direction SE)

Hotels & Accommodation in Samlesbury

Hotel NameApproximate distance from Samlesbury center
Swallow Preston Hotel(0.3 miles, 0.4 km)
Macdonald Tickled Trout Hotel(1.6 miles, 2.5 km, direction W)
The Preston Hotel(4.1 miles, 6.5 km, direction SW)
The Pines Hotel(4.5 miles, 7.3 km, direction S)
The Park Hotel(5.5 miles, 8.8 km, direction W)
Leyland Hotel(6.0 miles, 9.7 km, direction SW)
Barton Grange Classic Hotel(7.1 miles, 11.5 km, direction NW)
Bartle Hall Hotel(7.5 miles, 12.1 km, direction W)
Clarion Hotel Blackburn(7.6 miles, 12.2 km, direction NE)
Astley Bank Hotel(7.9 miles, 12.8 km, direction SE)
All hotels in Samlesbury

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