[5] The early 19th-century Beauties of England and Wales series describes the "extensive factory and print grounds of Messrs Miller, Burys & Co" here.

Leaving the place unnamed, it mentions the remoteness of the site, and that the owners had built a company shop and chapel for the 2,000 employees.

There is still a good example of a very old vaccary (medieval cattle farm) wall at the roadside near the ancient Stainscomb property east of the village.

[13] The water quality in the valley suited the calico printing industry and more printworks developed along Sabden Brook.

[15][16] The presence of the mills meant an increasing demand for transport for people, coal, raw materials and finished goods.

[18] The location of the village led to difficulties in administration, as it was split between the townships of Pendleton and Read (in differing poor law unions and rural districts).

Tax rates differed in the two sides of the village and there were difficulties with water provision, sewerage and road maintenance.

[20][disputed – discuss] This is confirmed on the 1818 map on the right, where the Pendle Forest border follows the water course directly south to join the main brook near the bridge.

[25] The staggered crossroads are five hundred feet above sea level and due to its position on Pendle Hill, the village is usually some 2 °C colder than the surrounding settlements of Clitheroe and Whalley.

A tributary of the River Calder, the brook runs under Bull Bridge (named after the pub which closed many years ago) and down through the centre of the village towards Whalley.

[27] However, since 2011, plans for multiple new plots at the mills of Watt Street have meant that as of 2012/13, the village's population will increase dramatically to an estimated 1,800–2,000.

Sabden is the setting of the animated comedy television show The Treacle People, created by Fire Mountain Productions Ltd and now airing on YouTube.