Quote:
Originally Posted by Retlaw
Ee tharard wurk.
There were 3 ways into the Old Hold of Accrington in those days, which was used by travelers. From Burnley, down what later became Burnley Rd Circa 1828, from Whalley along what was later Whalley Rd, (built by Blind Jack o Knaresborough 1791/2) that route went down Milnshaw Lane, the other route came from Blackburn, and entered Accy along Allom Lane which came out facing the Bull.
Just because there weren't many regular coach services running into & out of Accy in those day, does'nt they couldn't up their prestige by advertising themselves as a coaching Inn.
Its surprising how many people moved round the country in those days.
Retlaw.
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But that's exactly it, Walter - the dates. This stuff is all the later part of the 18C/early 19th - there is no evidence whatsoever about a coaching service in the 17th or even early 18th century. Logic would suggest that there would be a direct route south between Clitheroe and Manchester and a rough reconstruction of the topography of the time would suggest a route coming by Clayton and through Accy, but where exactly it would cross the river I don't know. But allowing for that, where is the evidence of a coach service?
I certainly don't buy an East/West route Accy-Blackburn, simply because of deep stream valleys to be crossed on the way - the Tinker, the Aspden and the Knuzden brooks. Thats's why Blackburn Rd was not laid down until after it was shown the canal could bridge the former two in the early 1820's
I have no doubt that wagons and private coaches stopped at and used the Bull; but my guess is their main travelling guests would have been sheep rovers and the like.