Read is situated in the Ribble Valley, an area of outstanding natural beauty. A village steeped in history, Read lies on the A671 which was originally built as a turnpike road from Portfield to Padiham in the 1840’s.
The 16th Century saw the gradual development of what is now the old village of Read, along the main medieval road between Whalley and Padiham. Read Hall was the seat of the Nowell family from the 1300’s and Roger Nowell played a central role in the trials of the Pendle Witches of 1612. The Battle of Read Old Bridge was fought in 1643 between a Royalist force and Parliamentarians, resulting in the downfall of the Lancashire Royalist cause.
In the 1860’s Victoria Mill, together with a few houses for employees, was built alongside the turnpike road and this area of Read became known as Newtown. More houses and shops were built using stone quarried in the village and Read now boasts a variety of small businesses catering for all needs.
Places to visit around Read:
- Clitheroe – A market town dominated by a Norman castle
- Gawthorpe Hall, Padiham – Elizabethan mansion owned by the National Trust
- Spring Wood, Whalley – A woodland picnic site maintained by Lancs. County Council
- Whalley Abbey – 13th Century Monastic Foundation
- Numerous walks around Pendle Hill & The Trough of Bowland
There are golf courses at Whalley, Great Harwood and Clitheroe.
For further information visit: Ribble Valley Tourist Information
to find out what’s going on in and around read visit our community page about Local Organisations or the What’s on in Read and Simonstone Facebook Group