Frederick York Wolseley Lunch – Lancashire – 2015

15 Mar Frederick York Wolseley Lunch – Lancashire – 2015

Lancashire Wolseley Owners Club members enjoyed a great meal on Sunday 15th March at the Assheton Arms in Downham.

A lovely sunny day, everyone had a good run there from their homes and we were given a superb table in the restaurant in a cosy side room there. The fish was delicious and others enjoyed traditional roasts of the day plus some very nice desserts.

The Assheton Arms at Downham is an historic Grade II listed village pub in the untouched conservation village of Downham. With stunning views across Ribble Valley to the legendary Pendle Hill, the uniqueness of the village has made Downham a popular TV and film location since the 60’s.

Downham has long had a reputation as an attractive village, often quoted as the most beautiful village in Lancashire. It certainly is largely unspoilt – no television aerials or obtrusive satellite dishes, no overhead wires or roadside yellow lines, and minimal signing in the village.

There is an old world charm with the setting of the church on the crest of a limestone ridge above the village, Downham Hall behind the church on the same ridge and cottages neatly arranged at both the top of church brow and another group around the main street and village stream. As well as a constant flow of tourists and walkers the village is attractive to film makers because of the lack of apparent modernity.

The absence of aerials makes it ideal for historical drama and many films have been shot in the village and its surroundings. The 1950s production ‘Born and Bred’ was filmed in Downham in 2001-2003. At an earlier date, a shot from ‘Wuthering Heights’ was taken on church brow and other films have been made here. One of the most famous films was the 1961 ‘Whistle Down the Wind’ starring Hayley Mills and Alan Bates, shot largely at Worsaw End Farm.