We have spooky one for you this week The Eye of God at Newchurch in Pendle, cobwebs, campfire stories and marshmallows. In the Pendle village of Newchurch there is Tower that sees all. St. Mary’s Church tower features a curious oval opening in its west face, which looks like an eye. Known locally as the ‘Eye of God,’ which many debate whether the eye’s purpose is practical or paranormal.
The most straightforward explanation suggests that the eye served as an observation point. The church warden likely used it to monitor and prepare for approaching funeral and wedding processions.
About Newchurch
The church was built in 1544 by the inhabitants of the five ‘booths’ of which Goldshaw Booth is now the village parish. It is the history of Newchurch that defines the culture of the place, it is unspoiled, yet sophisticated, and the people and area are self developed yet affluent.
Newchurch is one of the earliest settlements in the Forest of Rossendale, the village developed around St Nicholas church, first built in 1511, and at that time it had an estimated population of around 1000 people.
The village has a mixture of large detached houses and farmhouses, and smaller semi-detached housing on Staghills Council Estate where the majority of the village’s population lives.
History: The Eye of God at Newchurch in Pendle
However, Pendle’s history casts a shadow over this simple explanation. The region is infamous for its 1612 witch trials at Pendle Hill, where 12 individuals were accused of witchcraft. One of the accused, Anne Chattox, was accosed of desecrating graves in St. Mary’s Churchyard to collect human remains.
Given this context, it’s easy to see why the ‘Eye of God’ has also been seen as a protective symbol, a stone sentinel guarding the area against the ill effects of witchcraft.
The church holds the “eye of god”. And locals believed this warns off evil spirits and witches from the site.
Newchurch is so much than just a Church
Newchurch clings to the southern slopes of Pendle Hill, in Lancashire. It is a place that is surrounded by beauty and history. The area around Pendle hill is ideal for hiking and primed with idyllic villages and cafe spots that influencers would love. And literally, down the road you have award winning The Woodland Spa.
Its summit is 557 metres above mean sea level and there’s many palces to explore on both sides of the hill.
But additionally, as its in the north west of country, you don’t have to travel far for some fabulous places to eat, culturally adept which caters for all tastes and diets.
Spend the day, with a picnic at the top of hill and the afternoon at the spa with some afternoon tea.
Where is NewChurch?
About Newchurch: located in the Borough of Pendle, neighbouring towns Sabden, Barley and Fence, accesbile vai the M65 motorway or The A6068 bypass, towards Clitheroe.
Pendle Hill Walk information
Technical information about the Pendle Hill hiking route.
| Parking: | Pay and display car park in the centre of Barley (grid reference SD 823 403). |
| Directions: | Google Maps: get directions here / What3words: clays.label.found |
| Walk distance: | 5.0 miles (8.0 Km) |
| Estimated walk time: | 2 hours 20 minutes |
| Height climbed: | 380 metres |
| Grade: | 2-C: A medium length walk that has rugged terrain and some steep climbs |
| Peaks / summits: | Pendle Hill (577m) |
