Downham
Downham maps (2 available)
Map of Lancashire
Beautifully hand-drawn and coloured, dating from around 1840
See this old map of Lancashire
Personalised maps
Create an historic map centred directly on any postcode!
Downham books (15 available)
Lancaster Town Walk Guide
Paperback
Lytham St Anne's Town and City Memories
Paperback
Heart of Lancashire Pocket Album
Paperback
- 8 photos on Downham appear in 6 Frith books - View photos of Downham
- Read extracts and see photos from these books on Downham and Lancashire
Downham memories
Read and share memories of Downham and Lancashire inspired by Frith photos
Be the first to add a memory of Downham.
You can also read memories of nearby places in Lancashire below.
Lancashire memories
Summer Holidays
I remember in the 1950s my sister Annette and I used to spend some time on a farm owned by Mr Thomas Holgate who was a friend of the family and really enjoyed those times. The farm was called Townley House and my dad used to help with the hay making. I also used to go there occasionally to do jobs when I worked for Roland Ford plasterers and slaters in the 1960s. I now live in Australia.
A memory of Grindleton contributed by Christopher Rung
Paddling pool, Castle field
I remember this pool vividly! One day I was riding my tricyle round the outside of the pool, which wasn't filled with water at the time. Unfortunately I happened to fall in and I cut my hand on a broken glass. After 34 years I still have a scar to prove it.
A memory of Clitheroe contributed by Tina Gough
bondstreet31@hotmail.com
I was 19 years old and loved cycling. My aim was to cycle from Blackpool, where I lived, to Barley Youth Hostel on Pendle Hill. Unfortunately, I calculated too little time to reach my destination and found myself at the bottom of Pendle Hill, Padiham, I think, at 5.pm. in December. It was pitch black and the battery on my front light was low. I was scared because the hill was steep and I had to push my bike. One image is ingrained in my memory. Down below, to my far left there were the orange neon streets lights of a major town and to my near left, silhouetted against this backdrop of the town, was ...read more here
A memory of Barley contributed by First name Last name
My Mum's hairdressing salon
Right on the end of this barn, hidden from view was a small irregular building with it's own door. It had been a small butchers shop some time before my Mum and Dad bought it as a hairdressing salon for my mum to use as a little business.
It had no heating, just two yellow sinks and chairs, a couple of work stations and a telephone table where the phone, appointment book and till sat.
Surprisingly the business did really well. My Dad was the local 'bobby' and so knew everyone in the area. I remember helping out in the school holidays and hearing an old tractor pull up outside - a farmer, hair full of hay, ...read more here
A memory of Bolton By Bowland contributed by gail armstrong
Extracts From Downham & Lancashire books
Children pose near the small bridge over Downham Beck, a brook which runs through the heart of the village. Downham is another example of a village which was tightly controlled by the lords of the manor, who refused to let industry into the village. The Dinelay family were first, then the Asshetons took over the village in 1588. In 1953 the head of the Assheton family was created Lord Clitheroe, and the family are still taking care of the village today. They have twice rebuilt St Leonard’s church, which we can see on the left in the background. Parts of the church date from the 1400s, and the three bells are said to have come from the abbey after it was pulled down.
An extract from from"English Villages".
Children pose near the small bridge over Downham Beck, a brook which runs through the heart of the village. Downham is another example of a village which was tightly controlled by the lords of the manor, who refused to let industry into the village. The Dinelay family were first, then the Asshetons took over the village in 1588. In 1953 the head of the Assheton family was created Lord Clitheroe, and the family are still taking care of the village today. They have twice rebuilt St Leonard’s church, which we can see on the left in the background. Parts of the church date from the 1400s, and the three bells are said to have come from the Abbey after it was pulled down.
An extract from from"Heart of Lancashire Photographic Memories".
Children pose near the small bridge over Downham Beck, a brook which
runs through the heart of the village. Downham is another example of a
village which was tightly controlled by the lords of the manor, who refused
to let industry into the village. St Leonard’s Church, which we can see on
the left in the background, has been rebuilt twice. Parts of it date from the
1400s, and the three bells are said to have come from the Abbey after it
was pulled down.
An extract from from"Heart of Lancashire Pocket Album".
The name Downham means ‘dwelling by the hill’ - the hill is obviously Pendle, which can be seen in the background. This photograph is unfortunate in that it makes the village look a little ramshackle, but in truth it was anything but. The Asshetons looked after their village, and made sure everything was in order. Everyone in the village had a job on the estate, and everyone had a place in the village society. The Roman road from Ribchester to Ikley passes through Downham Park at the end of the village. The grave of Roman soldiers killed in a skirmish with the Brigantes is said to be marked with a large stone to the left of the gates to the Hall.
An extract from from"Heart of Lancashire Photographic Memories".
The name Downham means ‘dwelling by the hill’—the hill is
obviously Pendle, which can be seen in the background. This
photograph is unfortunate in that it makes the village look a lit-
tle ramshackle, but in fact it was rather smart. The Asshetons
looked after their village.Almost all the villagers had jobs on the
estate.The Roman road from Ribchester to Ikley passes through
Downham Park at the end of the village.The grave of Roman
soldiers killed in a skirmish with the Brigantes is said to be
marked with a large stone to the left of the gates to the Hall.
An extract from from"Heart of Lancashire Pocket Album".