From a ban on cars to a famous link to the Brontë sisters, Wycoller isn’t your ‘normal’ village. Described as a “sleepy village”, Wycoller has plenty to see. Inside the sleepy Lancashire village with a car ban and famous links Historic UK says Wycoller is “sleepy” but explains that it is now “part of a beautiful country park”.
You can walk through the village and see the cottages, beck and ruined hall that remain. You can also visit the Craft Centre with a Victorian tearoom and a gift shop. Wycoller Hall ruins can be seen in the village and it’s thought that the 16th-century hall inspired Ferndean Manor which features in Charlotte Bronte’s book Jane Eyre.
It adds: “The Brontes lived at Haworth, not far from Wycoller, and Charlotte would have passed through here on her way to Gawthorpe Hall when she went to stay with the Kay-Shuttleworths. “Charlotte’s description of Ferndean Manor when approached from the old coach road fits Wycoller Hall perfectly.” Lancashire County Council adds that other nearby landmarks were referred to by the Brontë sisters in their books, including Wuthering Heights.
Wycoller Hall’s ruins are located by Wycoller Beck which runs through the village and can be crossed using seven bridges. Clam Bridge, listed as an Ancient Monument, is the oldest bridge with the possibility that it’s more than 1,000 years old. The Pack-Horse Bridge is a twin-arched bridge which you might recognise from a famous film.
You might hear it be referred to “as Sally’s Bridge after Sally Owen, mother of Wycoller’s last squire.” In a sequence of ‘The Railway Children’ Bobbie, played by Jenny Agutter, is seen sitting on the bridge as she talks to Dr Forrest as he drives his pony and trap through the ford. Lancashire County Council explains that there are two car parks in the village but that most cars are actually banned “beyond the car parks”.
Recommended reading: Prettiest villages you can visit in Lancashire according to locals Best villages to visit for a day out in and around Preston according to locals Lancashire village named among top holiday cottage destinations in England One car park is on Trawden Road and the other is on Howarth Road. Cars aren’t allowed past the car parks in an effort “to prevent traffic congestion in the village”. There is an exception for the cars that are driven by registered disabled people though.
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