Wycoller

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The attractive village of Wycoller

Wycoller

Where is it – England, North West England

Who looks after it –  Local Authority 

What is it –  Free access, Supernatural, Village 

When is it from – Victorian

Wycoller is a picturesque, interesting, village near Colne, Lancashire, close to the border with Yorkshire. It is closed to outside traffic, but there are car parks on the outskirts. The village is famous for the ruins of the 16th century Wycoller Hall, which may have been the inspiration for Ferndean Manor in Charlotte Brontë’s novel Jane Eyre, and for its various ancient bridges, including a twin-arched 15th century packhorse bridge and a simple clapper bridge, ‘Clam Bridge’ which some believe to be Neolithic and possibly 6000 years old.

The village became relatively affluent through weaving, but this activity declined with the invention of power looms and factories in the 18th century. By the late 19th century, most people had moved away and the houses were deserted ruins. ‘The Friends of Wycoller’ was established in 1948 in an effort to preserve Wycoller Hall and the village. In the 1970s, the village and surrounding countryside became a country park. There is now a craft centre in a restored barn, a Victorian tearoom and a gift shop. Wycoller Hall is reputedly haunted by a spectral horseman – a shade, possibly of Cunliffe of Billington who murdered his wife in the hall on a wild, tempestuous, night.

A short walk takes you past old vaccary walls to a modern installation, the Atom, which is a panopticon offering an unusual way to take in the views over the surrounding countryside.

 


Address
Colne, Lancashire BB8 8SY 

More detail from ABAB
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