Pendle Witch Walk: A Feminist History & Storytelling Hike

The opening of our season grounds our exploration in the specific context of Northern English folklore and history: 

On the 20th August 1612, ten people from Pendle were executed before a vast crowd at Lancaster's Gallows Hill, having endured months of imprisonment and torture. The Pendle Witch Trials were amongst the largest, best recorded and most notorious in English history. Behind the facts of their fate, and the fable of what led them to it, were women.

Join Girl Gang to walk their lands, explore their story and discuss what the history of the witch trials and the figure of the witch can tell us about modern misogyny.

The Pendle Witch Trials is a story of warring families, matriarchs and magic exposing local rivalries, superstition and society's fears and prejudice against “cunning women”. But look a little closer and we see the context of poverty, and the intentional movement of power, the erasure of natural healing practices, regional stereotyping and religious control.

Integrating storytelling, historical fact, political reflection, poetry, song, music and discussion, our walk takes us into “wild and lawless” Lancashire (historically fabled for its theft, violence and sexual laxity), journeying over hill and dale to explore some of the historic landscapes and specific sites associated with the Pendle Witches. 

Please note: At 14km, this is a proper hike! There’ll be some steep hills, uneven ground, mud etc! We encourage people to step outside their comfort zone and try new things in a supportive environment, but sturdy footwear and decent general fitness are required. Please see further information and advised “kit list” below plus requests for additional information to help us give everyone the best time possible!

KEY EVENT DETAILS OVERVIEW:

Starting location: Barley village car park

Ending location: The Pendle Inn / Barley Village Car Park

Timings

10am: Arrivals at Barley Village Car Park for a prompt 10.30am start!

10.30am-4.30pm: Walk & talk (Broadly structured as stopping every 20-30mins with discussion points to chat about between stops)

1pm: Butty break (BYOB- Bring your own butty!)

4.30pm-5pm: Arrive back at The Pendle Inn- brew & pints!

5pm-6pm: Food in the back room with prompts & reflections (pre-orders required for food)

6pm: Event close, people leave (welcome to leave earlier, pre food or as soon as have eaten)

“KIT LIST” AKA Please bring:

Suitable outdoor and weatherproof clothing including:

- Walking boots or robust waterproof trainers with decent grip

- Waterproof/ windproof coat and warm layers (fleece)

- Waterproof trousers if forecast rain

- Decent socks

- Hat and gloves

Rucksack (not tote bag etc!) with:

- Large water bottle

- Snacks

- Sandwiches

- Plastic bag or something small dry lightweight to sit on during the butty break

Disclaimer: Please note whilst Girl Gang are insured for outdoors and sports-based activities, and have personal hiking and walk leading experience we are not qualified outdoor guides and do not take responsibility for walkers personal level of fitness. Our team will be there to lead, back stop and guide discussions, but everyone is responsible for themselves. The route is on Gillian's Komoot so take time to familiarise yourself with it before we head out.  

The exchange of money is for the preparation and performance time of our researcher and storyteller.

FAQ's & Additional Key Info:

Car sharing: If you have a car, it makes the most sense to drive as we are headed into the hills! We will try to facilitate some car sharing to minimise how many cars need to go, so please let us know whether you are able to drive, ideally need a lift and where you are travelling from.

Public Transport: The nearest train station is Nelson and then the 66 bus, or Clitheroe and the 67 bus

Hike length: 14K (Check out the route here)

Expected completion time / pace: We expect to be out a full 6 hours, walking at a social pace of roughly 3km per hour, with regular 5-10 minute breaks to listen to the storyteller and a 20 minute sit down butty break at lunch time. We will walk together as a group and no-one will be left behind.

Description of walk: From Barley, we will walk through Roughlee to visit the statue of Alice Nutter, then make our way to Newchurch and through Fell Wood to reach the Ogden reservoirs. We will walk along the reservoirs before finally trekking up Pendle Hill, then make our way back down to Barley, wrapping up at Pendle Inn for anyone who wants to join for some food and drink. Check out the route here

Post walk meal: The pub require a pre-order for a group of our size, please check out the Sunday menu here and let us know your order in the booking email.

Wet weather plan: We ain’t no fair weather walkers and plan to do the hike unless there’s an extreme weather warning.

Further info required: Please fill in the information requested regarding transport, food and optional whatsapp community in the booking details and confirmation email. 

SEASON OF THE WITCH: Witches, Women, Magic, Misogyny

Journey through Autumn with Girl Gang across hillsides, cityscapes, storytelling and screenings, to explore how most of modern misogyny can be traced back to the figure of the witch. In their first ever thematic season the collective continues to celebrate a decade of feminist creativity, collaboration and community with crafts, pop culture, rituals and rebellion. Inspired by the horrific histories and curious present manifestations of witchcraft which are both political and ethereal, the work explores resistance, autonomy, collectivity and care, Season of the Witch showcases drag, discussion, dancing and nature, proudly presented with Girl Gang's signature blend of theatricality, softness, resilience building and reflection.

Check out more events as part of our Season of the Witch here! Including “Craft & Coven” thematic exploration and co-creation sessions, immersive film screenings, drag workshops, rituals and more!

ADDITIONAL INFO ON THIS EVENT:

Much of what we know about the case comes from a single source- Thomas Pott's Wonderfull Discoverie of Witches, published quickly after the trials and distinctly skewed in favour of the persecution. This history storytelling walk seeks to dig further into the context on what may have happened and why, taking a feminist perspective and looking back to analyse what the historical treatment of witches can tell us about the treatment of women and people of marginalized genders and identities today, exposing societies fears and prejudices.

The walk is inspired by and integrates some of the following resources:

• Something Wicked: The Lives, Crimes and Death of The Pendle Witches by Carol Ann Lee (none fiction book)

• WITCH by India Rakusen (Podcast series)

• The Daylight Gate by Jeanette Winterson (fictional book)

• The Lancashire Withces by Carol Ann Duffy (poem)

• Traditional folk song.

PENDLE WITCH WALK TEAM:

 Megan Marie Griffith (Storyteller & Researcher) is a theatre director, events producer, curator, facilitator and historical and political walking tour guide. She is the founder, Artistic Director and Executive Producer of Girl Gang Manchester, having spent over a decade instigating, nurturing and co-captaining creative communities. Megan has worked as a tour guide with Free Manchester Walking Tours since 2019 receiving incredible feedback for her “energetic, inspiring and evocative” telling of Manchester’s stories. Megan facilitated “In Defence of Witches- The Legacy of the Witch Hunts and Why Women Are Still On Trial” by Mona Chollet for Build A Better Future Book Club in 2025 and lead the curation for Girl Gang’s Season of the Witch.

Gillian MacDonald Bio: Gillian is a regular hill walker and social organiser with Bird Outdoors community group. She has planned and hosted social hikes within the Peak District and Yorkshire, with a particular interest in routes rich in history.

ACCESSIBILITY

• As detailed this is a 14K hike featuring uneven ground and tricky terrain thus is sadly not suitable for wheelchair users or people who use other walking aids or with mobility issues. The rest of our season is so we hope to see you at something else. 

• We will have at least four Girl Gang Manchester team members supporting this event who we will introduce to attendees upon arrival and will be on hand to support you.

• If you have any other access requests, questions or worries, please contact us at hello@girlgangmcr.com

• We are super proud that our events and club nights are welcoming and that there are always people who feel comfortable to attend on their own.

GIRL GANG MANCHESTER:

GIRL GANG MANCHESTER is a collective of artists, activists, academics and party instigators who put on events and create projects building connection, community, collaboration, confidence and creativity. Find out more about our previous projects on our website or social media here!

If you would like to be kept up to date with all Girl Gang Manchester's projects and events be sure to sign up to our mailing list here!

This year we are celebrating 10 years of Girl Gang Manchester and have updated our Manifesto please take a look to learn more about us and what we stand for here!

Refund policy: Paying for a ticket funds freelance artists, creatives and facilitators and helps support Girl Gang Manchester in continuing to run events. All tickets are non refundable and non transferable.