Acquired by the Assheton family, who hail originally from Cuerdale Manor, near Preston, in 1558, along with Whalley Abbey, the village has been maintained in as original condition as modern life will allow. You will see no television aerials, no dormer windows, no street signs, not even a sign to tell you that you are in Downham, hence it is often in demand by film and television companies for period village scenes.

The ducks, however, are not all that original. They were brought in by an earlier member of the Assheton family for shooting, but after they endeared themselves so much to the village visitors, the shooting stopped, much, no doubt, to the comfort of the ducks.

The Assheton family were lords of the manor from the 16th century. The family was responsible for the building of many of the estate cottages, the school and vicarage. This ensured that nothing was allowed to spoil the tranquillity of the village forcing the electric company to place the wires underground. Ralph Assheton took the title of Lord Clitheroe when he was made a peer in 1955. Downham Hall, the home of Lord Clitheroe, has an 1836 facade and some Elizabethan walls. There is also evidence of Roman activity around Downham - a large stone by the entrance to Downham Hall is said to mark the final resting place of two legionaries who died on the nearby Roman road during trouble with the Brigantes. In the churchyard of St. Leonards are said to be the remains of the soldiers dug up when the Roman road was excavated in the 18th century.

Down in the centre of Downham the village green is cut in two by Downham Brook. Outside the pub, next to Stocks Tree Cottage, can be found the original village stocks, serving as a reminder of the villages feudal times and corporal punishment.