The cache takes its name from the title of the excellent book by Robert Neill about the local witches of the early 17th century – Demdike, Chattox and Alice Nutter to name a few. It is the story of a teenage girl, considered by her strictly puritan family to be wayward as she liked nice clothes etc. They sent her away from her home in London on the long journey to Lancashire to stay with a distant relation, who happened to be the factual Roger Nowell, High Sheriff of Lancashire at Read Hall. The story is about their involvement with the families of the Pendle area and the bringing to trial of the so-called Pendle Witches.
It is well documented that these poor women were imprisoned in the notorious Lancaster Castle and eventually found guilty of witchcraft and hanged in front of huge crowds in the year 1612. If you would like to learn more about the Pendle Witches go to website http://www.visitpendle.com/site/what-to-do/pendle-witches-p556720
The cache can be approached from several locations but a lovely circular six mile walk from the car park in the beautiful village of Downham can be recommended. A similar but shorter walk can be had by parking on Pendle Road near Hookcliffe Plantation BUT there is only room for a maximum of three cars. Plenty of parking can be found at the Nick of Pendle and another good high level walk can be had from there, taking in the summit trig point and several other caches along the way. There is also plenty of roadside parking on Barley Road, to take the busy route up the stepped path, for a there and back walk of under 4 miles.
