Samlesbury is a small and very pleasant village situated on the borough’s northeastern border with the Ribble Valley. In the Parish churchyard of St. Leonard the Less there is what is reputed to be a ‘Witch’s grave". Eight 6ft long iron spikes have been driven through the flat gravestone to prevent the ‘Witch" from rising up. The village is best known for Samlesbury Hall the home of John Southworth who was martyred in 1654 for refusing to denounce the Catholic faith. The Hall dates back to the 14th century and is the most impressive building in South Ribble and its beautifully preserved condition makes it the borough’s most popular tourist attraction. At the southern end of the village lies the hamlet of Samlesbury Bottoms and the Samlesbury Bottoms Mill. It is located on the banks of the River Darwen and was a cotton-spinning mill.