Pictures of Samlesbury
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.
