A Flying Visit to Warton Village, Lancashire.


A Flying Visit to Warton Village, Lancashire, England.
May 2019.
Uncle D and I were definitely in need of a breather. In fact, we’d been walking for hours and the prospect of a restful pint was just what we needed. After all, our efforts had seen us hike through the stunning Leighton Moss Nature Reserve. Then head up the equally pretty forest paths of Warton Crag.
Now we were back down the crag strolling towards the aforementioned beer in Warton village. I’d never heard of Warton before visiting my Uncle. Indeed this tiny English village, with its population of just over 2300, is unlikely to register with many people domestically, let alone overseas visitors.

Warton village, Lancashire.
And yet, as I was about to find out, Warton has some incredible history. Which seems to be the case wherever you go in Lancashire. I suspected something was up when we arrived at the George Washington Pub. Hang on, not that George Washington surely? And if so, what’s the connection?
Warton Village, Lancashire.

Warton village, Lancashire.
Needless to say it was that George Washington. Moreover, Warton played a major role in the story of the world famous Washington family. The tale goes all the way back to 1300 when a certain Lawrence Washington moved to the village from County Durham. That’s around seven generations prior to future U.S. president George and his family.
George’s direct ancestors left England for the U.S. in 1659, settling in the state of Virginia. George was born about 73 years later. Thus The United States’ first popularly elected president never actually set foot in Warton.

Warton village, Lancashire.
That doesn’t stop the village from celebrating its rich heritage. Ordering our drinks at the bar, I felt I really only had one choice. It just had to be a pint of George Washington Finest Blond Ale.

Warton village, Lancashire.
Outside, I drank in not just my beer but the understated comings and goings of life on Main Street. A man sauntered past clutching a newspaper. A car crawled by, window down, its occupant calling out to a nearby woman walking her dog. “Alright Emily, how’s your Tony getting on?”

Warton village, Lancashire.
As Uncle D worked on his own pint and checked in with messages, I decided to head down Main Street to look at Warton’s famous Washington House. Located at number 130, it’s an unassuming building in many ways with its pebbledash sandstone facade and simple tiled roof.
The Washington House.

Warton village, Lancashire.
Nevertheless, it’s cool to see the stone Washington House sign above the door. It also includes the year of construction, 1612. Unfortunately, and despite plenty of research, I’ve been unable to find out precisely which Washingtons lived here.
One article claims it was a general family home used by numerous Washingtons (of which there were many) throughout the 17th century. Most of them were wealthy landowners, one even owned the village water mill used to grind corn. Hence there are a couple of online pieces claiming the house most likely incorporated the family office.

Warton village, Lancashire.
Warton’s fascinating Washington sights don’t end with the house and the pub. You’ve also got the charming St Oswald’s Church. They say a church of some sort has stood here for over 1000 years!

Warton village, Lancashire.
The current structure largely dates back to the 15th century. They say a Mr. Robert Washington pitched in with the funding of the clock tower and even helped to build it.

Warton village, Lancashire.
Historians reckon the tower originally featured the Washington family coat of arms. That now stands on display inside the church which was… needless to say.. closed that day when Uncle D and I came to look. Annoying.
Warton Village, Lancashire.
Apparently, the Washington coat of arms was a huge influence on the U.S. flag, which also hangs within the church. Furthermore, come to Warton on the 4th of July (Independence Day in The United States) and you can see the Stars and Stripes flying from the church.

Warton village, Lancashire.
Unable to investigate the interior, we made do with a self-guided tour of the immaculate graveyard. Here lie buried nearly a dozen Washingtons, though only that of Reverend Thomas Washington and his wife Elizabeth have visible engravings. Interestingly, Thomas was Warton’s last Washington resident. He passed away in 1823 aged 69.

Warton village, Lancashire.
Elsewhere, the graveyard at St Oswald’s is home to a number of World War graves. 8 are related to WWI personnel who came from the village and its surrounds. One is a WWII Royal Artillery soldier. During the Second World War, the church became a pilgrimage site for U.S. soldiers stationed in Britain.
St Oswald’s Church.

Warton village, Lancashire.
It was time for Uncle D and I to continue our walk with a route that would take us out of Warton on the road back to Carnforth. However, I was keen to stay eagle-eyed as we progressed, ticking off a number of notable buildings.
First, I caught a glimpse of the Old Rectory, a grand 14th century house in which the rectors of St Oswald’s Church once lived. According to local historians, it fell into ruin sometime in the 1720s.

Warton village, Lancashire.
You’d be forgiven for thinking that George Washington was Warton’s only pub. But actually the village’s modest community has quite a choice when it comes to booze and grub.
Another option is the The Nib at Millhead, a little Victorian watering hole that puts on bingo and karaoke nights. A humorous sign informs visitors “Don’t be put off if we look shut, everybody uses the back door”.

Warton village, Lancashire.
There’s also the Old School Brewery situated at the foot of the crag. Founded in 2012, this award-winning craft beer joint runs out of an ancient barn converted by owners Ian Walsh and Ren Wallbank.

Warton village, Lancashire.
Some of the private residences are breathtaking. Not least School House, a Grade II listed 17th century home located at 78 Main Street. The cost of property in England never fails to shock me and indeed this three bedroom house is valued at around £700.000 ($920.000).
Warton village, Lancashire.

Warton village, Lancashire.
Nearby, there’s an actual former schoolhouse dating back to 1864. Infant School and Lecture Hall states the engraved sign between the top two windows. The facade also features an unusual First World War memorial that commemorates “Peace for the education of the children of Warton”.

Warton village, Lancashire.
There were two schools in Warton back in Victorian times. You can see the other (also now converted into private homes) across the road from the infant School. This one had separate entrances for girls and boys, check out the sign above the red door.

Warton village, Lancashire.
Before long my flying visit to Warton was over and we were on the main road out of the village. Soon, we passed the crag that we’d climbed just a few hours earlier. From there the countryside opened up beautifully, with expansive grassy fields and gentle slopes surrounding us.

Warton village, Lancashire.
It took us about twenty minutes to walk back to Carnforth. For the most part it was a piece of cake, just the odd pause at the side of the road whenever a car passed. What a genuine revelation the village of Warton turned out to be, another fine feather for Lancashire’s highly decorated cap.

Warton village, Lancashire.
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37 Comments
What a fascinating story of the Washington family and it’s links with Warton Village. Nearly every small town and village has its own wonderful story to tell and to be proud of. Looked like a lovely walk with your uncle especially as it involved a pub!
You’re right Marion. So many tiny English villages have their own claim to fame. We’ve seen quite a few of those over the past few months here in Staffordshire. Thanks for reading.
What a lovely little place, has a story book look to it with the old homes and old school pubs. Nothing fairy tale about the property prices though! 😱
Thanks Helen, yes house prices are more of a “horror story” than a fairytale. Glad you liked the vibe of Warton otherwise, thanks for reading!
Every little village has a story, but perhaps, not one as grand as this. Hard to believe the colonizers would celebrate the colonists that brought about independence, but perhaps all press is good press. Even better with a nice pint. Thanks for sharing Leighton. Allan
I was also surprised to hear about the tradition of marking the 4th of July. I’m sure it must draw in a few curious Americans every year.
Almost seems like a time capsule, and only a twenty minute walk from Carnforth. It’s a joke of sorts that every little inn in New England in the US has a sign that says “George Washington slept here.” Now you’ve been to a village that can say that GW’s great great great great grandfather slept here. And probably had a pint as well. Thanks for the relaxing stroll through Warton.
Ha I can imagine all those New England inns. When there’s a cow to be milked… Thanks for taking a look at Warton, Memo.
I loved this
Thanks for reading Kelly.
You always stumble upon the most interesting historic places! I’ve never thought about George Washington’s ancestors before. That picnic table looks like a great spot for people watching.
Thanks Lyssy, I often go out of my way to find interesting places. But not this time, it was a complete surprise, the credit goes to my uncle.
Lofty connections for a small village!
Thanks for visiting Warton! It was a delightful surprise considering I didn’t know anything about it and just thought we were stopping for a quick pint.
What a great and unexpected historical find for you. It does look like a cute town regardless, but nice they have a little fun with their famous great, great, great…. grandchild. 🙂 Maggie
Thanks Maggie, it is some fun history and a charming place to wander around. Hope you are well and safe in your corner of the world.
I had no idea that a town in England would be dedicated to George Washington (or rather, the Washington family), considering that the first US president is, well, from the US. All the same, there’s pride in everything and anything, eh? Warton Village is charming in its own respect, and it’s a quaint little place for a pint and stroll around. Glad you enjoyed your time there, Leighton!
Ha, you’re right. Warton was home to a whole lotta Washingtons, just not ‘that’ Washington 🙂 Thanks for checking out this tiny English village and it’s quirky claim to fame.
What a great find about Washington ancestry! A cute small village with a grand story.
Thanks for reading Christie! It did feel like a great find at the time, happy to finally publish it nearly three years later.
Never too late 😁
This looks like such a charming place to visit. I had no idea that Warton had a connection with George Washington. How neat.
Thanks for reading! Warton did feel like one of those great unexpected travel finds.
That weird moment when you fangirl over a favorite blogger’s post because it is about a favorite historical icon. Loved reading this connection to George Washington and about his family history! Putting this on my list of where to spend a future July 4th 🙂
Ha, brilliant! I’m thinking that would be one of the more surreal places you could celebrate the 4th of July. Hopefully the George Washington Pub would put something appropriate onto the menu for the day.
It is really neat to see that Washington’s family was from Warton, and the history behind that as well!
Thanks for reading Allie! It was such a happy surprise to come across this village when all I’d been expecting was a quick pint.
The Washington family story was quite interesting … but what I found more interesting is that there are 3 pubs (when you include the brewery, right?) in this little town with a population of just over 2,300. I would call Warton a town who knows their priorities 😉. And I do like your last photo of Warton village … for me, that is pure English landscape!
Hey Corna, history and booze eh, Where can one go wrong? Glad you enjoyed this latest Lancashire spot, more to come later this week.
I am also surprised by this connection between Warton and Washington, especially the veneration given to the man who obtained the independence of the main colony.
I guess time offers forgiveness ha ha. Especially when there’s a bit of money to be made from the connection 😉 Thanks for visiting Warton.
lovely place
It certainly is.
It’s surprising to see a pub (and ale!) named for George, since he was instrumental in the revolution that gained US independence. I’m sure enough time has passed that it’s not a sore spot! I wonder how long that pub has had that name. I love the green door and the ornate arched window.
Good question Ruth, I know that in its previous life it was called The Black Bull but can’t seem to track down the precise date it got Georgeified. I’m guessing 1799/1800.
Hmmm, so soon after independence? Long enough to revere the man. I guess it was a marketing decision!
Definitely! Gotta lure in some people to an otherwise inconsequential (though utterly charming) village.