Wycoller Hall

 Wycoller Hall, a hauntingly beautiful ruin nestled in the heart of Wycoller Country Park, is more than just a historical site. It's a place steeped in local history and literary legend. The hall, a Grade II listed scheduled monument*, is famous for being the likely inspiration for Ferndean Manor in Charlotte Brontë's beloved novel, Jane Eyre.

Early History: The Hartley and Cunliffe Families

The story of Wycoller Hall begins in the 16th century with the Hartley family. Records indicate a house stood on this site as early as 1507, with a more substantial structure built by the family later that century. The estate then passed into the hands of the Cunliffe family in the early 17th century through marriage, marking the start of a new chapter.

The Downfall of Squire Cunliffe

The Hall’s most dramatic era is linked to its last owner, Squire Henry Owen Cunliffe. In the late 18th century, he inherited the property and undertook extensive renovations, transforming the building with a new porch and elaborate windows. Unfortunately, his grand ambitions came at a great cost. He accumulated significant debts, and following his death in 1818, the hall was partially dismantled to pay off his creditors.

This act of desperation set the stage for the hall's eventual ruin. The village itself fell into disrepair and was largely abandoned by the early 1900s.

Connection to the Brontë Sisters

One of the most compelling aspects of Wycoller Hall is its link to the famous Brontë sisters. It is widely believed that Charlotte Brontë drew inspiration from the isolated and remote nature of the hall, modeling it as Ferndean Manor, the final home of Mr. Rochester in Jane Eyre. The Brontë sisters often walked through this area, and their frequent visits to Wycoller village cemented the hall's place in literary history.

Connection to the Brontë Sisters

One of the most compelling aspects of Wycoller Hall is its link to the famous Brontë sisters. It is widely believed that Charlotte Brontë drew inspiration from the isolated and remote nature of the hall, modeling it as Ferndean Manor, the final home of Mr. Rochester in Jane Eyre. The Brontë sisters often walked through this area, and their frequent visits to Wycoller village cemented the hall's place in literary history.

Preservation and Legacy

By the mid-20th century, the community stepped in to save the historic site. In 1948, the "Friends of Wycoller" were formed to preserve the village and its iconic hall. Their efforts led to some restoration work, including the rebuilding of a large fireplace.

Video of large fireplace

Packhorse Bridge:

The packhorse bridge in Wycoller, Lancashire, is a picturesque, two-arched structure dating from the 13th to the 15th century and is known for its uneven arches and precariously uneven stonework. It is one of the village's many ancient bridges and was featured in the film The Railway Children. Some of its coping stones feature faint cup-marks, suggesting they were brought from an ancient prehistoric site on the moors.  

Key Characteristics

Age: Historians place its age between the 13th and 15th centuries, though no exact date is known. 

Appearance: The bridge is a noticeable oddity due to its unequal arches and uneven base stones. 

Construction: The stones used in the bridge are significant, as some coping stones bear ancient cup-marks from prehistoric sites. 

Name: It is also known as Sally's Bridge after Sally Owen, the mother of Wycoller's last squire. 

Significance

It formed part of ancient packhorse trails and trading routes. 

It was a filming location for The Railway Children.