There’s something slightly magical about Haran’s Homestead, an unusual little cabin in the Lancashire countryside. Green-hued and dinky, it looks slightly unreal—as if it could be home to a Hobbit or, perhaps, a tiny relation of Shrek. The colour helps it blend into the surrounding hills and while the place offers lovely natural surroundings it is, maybe, a little supernatural too. There’s Hameldon Hill to the front and Pendle Hill to the rear (the latter, the scene of Bronze Age Burials and witch trials). But you don't need to hike the hills to find the real magic of this place. Just stay put, get away from it all, and relax in the hot tub just outside your cabin.
Haran’s Homestead is situated in a secluded spot on a farm between Burnley and Blackburn. The little green cabin is your eating, sleeping and living space, all centred around an open fire in the middle. This is a barbecue cabin which offers the novelty and all-weather option of cooking indoors on the grill. But you don’t have to as there’s also a fire pit outside along with comfy outdoor furniture, hammocks, a compost loo and, of course, that hot tub. It’s all designed for rest and relaxation.
With that in mind you might be happy just to be here on the farm, and may not make it out to Pendle Hill. But if you are looking for a day out, that place makes for a worthy walk—with added interest from its long history and lovely views. Other nearby attractions include the Elizabethan Gawthorpe Hall and Clitheroe Castle. Modern amenities are not far either: you’re less than 10 miles from Blackburn and Burnley, just three from Accrington. The real coup, though, is that it's only an hour from Manchester and just a tiny bit more from Liverpool and Leeds, which makes it a great location for a green weekend escape from the city.
Hosted by Maria H.
Joined in July 2022Haran’s Homestead is on a farm that’s on the outskirts of the village of Altham, three miles outside the town of Accrington and not far off the M65 between Burnley (seven miles) and Blackburn (10 miles). It’s just outside the southern edge of the Forest of Bowland and the Yorkshire Dales. There are plenty of nice places to go for a walk in the countryside with both the Burnley Way and the Bronte Way long-distance, signposted routes which are not too far away. Gawthorpe Hall is one of the closest places for a day out, just three miles away. It’s an Elizabethan mansion house in landscaped gardens that’s looked after by the National Trust and open to visitors. There’s more history at Clitheroe Castle (eight miles) where you can explore the gardens, castle keep and museum. Pendle Hill is about eight miles from site. You can follow a route from the village of Newchurch-in Pendle or Barley if you are up for the challenge.
There’ll be enough to make a tea or coffee on arrival at Haran’s Homestead and fresh eggs are sometimes available to buy from your hosts, thanks to the on-site chickens and ducks. The closest pub is under a mile away in Altham, The Walton Pub and Kitchen, which serves food all day. If you’re doing the walk up Pendle Hill, call in for lunch or a drink at The Barley Mow in Barley village at the foot of the hill. For takeaways and shops, the closest place is Accrington (three miles away).
