Downham among UK’s best villages to visit by train

The rail company said it looked into “everything from walking trails and nearby gardens to the variety of flowering plants and how easy it is to reach each village from the nearest train station” when making the list.

It added: “We also considered how each village comes to life in spring, from bursts of colour to those picture-perfect moments you’ll want to linger in a little longer.”

Downham flies the flag for Lancashire, and LNER has shed light on some key stops you should make in the village on your visit – let’s take a look.

Downham village named among best to visit in the UK this spring

LNER said: “If you’re looking for somewhere that feels a step away from the everyday, Downham is a good place to start.

“Family-owned for generations, the village has kept things simple, no road signs, no aerials, just open views and a quiet sense of history.”

What was filmed in Downham?

The Lancashire village has also been a popular filming spot, with LNER saying “it’s easy to see why”.

It added: “It’s been used as a backdrop for films and TV over the years, including Whistle Down the Wind and The Secret of Crickley Hall.”

The Lancashire village has featured in various TV shows and films (Image: Getty)

Born and Bred, a BBC drama, was also filmed in the village, according to Visit Lancashire.

If you’re looking for some food stops while in Downham, LNER recommends “a scoop of local Lancashire ice cream from the village shop” and a trip to “the award-winning Assheton Arms” which is an “18th-century gastropub” that “sits at the highest point of the village, serving up seasonal plates alongside tranquil countryside vistas that make the modern world feel miles away.”

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Visitors are also advised to “head to the banks of Downham Brook” for “a perfect spot to sit and listen to the water as the village wakes up for spring.”

The “quiet and unspoiled” village is “one of the loveliest villages in Lancashire”, according to Visit Lancashire.

Have you been to Downham? Let us know in the comments below.