Pendle Hill – still worth visiting or is it a tourist trap now?

Pendle Hill's been all over the news recently with that Netflix documentary about the witch trials coming out next month. Brilliant for raising awareness of the actual history, I suppose, but I'm worried the whole area's going to be absolutely rammed with tourists who've watched three episodes and think they're paranormal investigators.

I last visited in 2015 - lovely spot, genuinely eerie atmosphere, especially up at the summit where the accused women were examined. But I'm hesitant to go back if it's going to be heaving with selfie-stick wielding sightseers.

Has anyone been recently? Is it still possible to have a proper experience there, or should I write it off until the documentary hype dies down?

Go in October/November, mate. After the summer holidays and before Christmas. The tourist surge tends to peak June-August and then again around Halloween (ironically). I was up there last November and it was peaceful - couple of other visitors max, and they were proper history buffs, not TikTok people.

The tourist influx is real but honestly? If anything it's made the location more accessible. More facilities, better paths, you're less likely to break your ankle in the dark. And the locals are used to visitors asking questions. Just go on a weekday and you'll be fine.

Personal opinion: the spiritual energy of a place doesn't get diluted by tourists walking around taking photos. If anything, all that attention might amplify things. Some of my best experiences at allegedly haunted locations have been when they're busy - more emotional energy, more belief systems in the room, more concentrated focus. Could work in your favour.

Fair warning though - the actual witch trial sites are scattered across a pretty wide area. Pendle Hill itself is dramatic but most of the paranormal activity people report is around Malkin Tower (private property, good luck), the village of Pendle itself, and some spots around the forest paths. The Netflix effect might mean crowds at the hill but not necessarily at the actually interesting locations.