A captivating “fairy bridge” adjacent to a village “frozen in time” ought to be firmly pencilled into your UK travel itinerary for 2026. Saddle Bridge, alternatively known as “Fairy Bridge”, is a fabled stone crossing allegedly constructed in a single night by fairies; legend has it they were assisting an elderly woodcutter escaping from witches, whom he’d angered after felling the tree where their coven met.

The bridge sits 130 metres northeast of Rugglesmire Farmhouse – a 17th-century Grade II Listed farmhouse – within Lancashire’s Ribble Valley. Fairy Bridge itself holds Grade II Listed status from the 17th century, lending an extra touch of wonder and mystique to the folklore that permeates this picturesque landscape, filled with delightful riverside walks and sweeping rural trails.

Records indicate the bridge underwent restoration in 1938 and comprises sandstone rubble construction. Its slender profile features a solitary lofty arch and robust parapets crowned with boulder copings, reports Lancs Live.

On Saddle Bridge’s southern face, a commemorative plaque bears the inscription “rebuilt by public subscription 1938”, enhancing its historical appeal.

The village frozen in time

Fairy Bridge lies in close proximity to the picture-perfect village of Bashall Eaves, cradled within Lancashire’s magnificent Ribble Valley. This charming hamlet resides within the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and offers unparalleled vistas.

Rolling countryside, a generous sprinkling of picturesque stone cottages, and verdant hedgerows give Bashall Eaves the enchanting quality of a storybook village.

The settlement’s name has Old English origins, with Bashall meaning “hill by the brooks” and “eaves” denoting borders or boundaries – a clear nod to the village’s geographical position on the edge of the Forest of Bowland. In the Domesday Book of 1086, Bashall Eaves was documented as Baschelf.

Largely comprising a private country estate, Bashall Eaves has traditionally belonged to the Worsley-Taylor family.

The village boasts numerous delightful structures and lesser-known treasures, including Bashall Hall – a striking Georgian manor house with roots in the 1600s that underwent substantial modifications during the early 18th century.

Covering nearly 4,000 acres, Bashall Eaves is home to Browsholme Hall, regarded as amongst the most historically significant estates in the area. Browsholme Hall has served as the ancestral seat of the Parker family – former Bow-bearers of Bowland – for more than 500 years.

Indeed, Amanda Parker, who has been Lord-Lieutenant of Lancashire since 2023, lives in Bashall Eaves and oversees the commercial operations of her Grade I Listed ancestral residence. According to the most recent 2021 census, the village’s population stood at just 174 residents.

Among Bashall Eaves’ main draws is The Red Pump Inn, the village’s highly-rated and best-known pub, located within easy walking distance of the centre. Acting as a community focal point for both locals and tourists, it has garnered rave reviews.

One enthusiastic Tripadvisor review of the establishment states: “What a little gem of a place this is. Friendly welcome from the owner before being shown to our really quite large bedroom with very comfy bed. The breakfast the next day was possibly one of the nicest hotel breakfasts I’ve had in a long time. The public rooms have a quaint old-worldy feel to them. Thoroughly recommend this place.”

This countryside hamlet, located approximately five miles from Clitheroe, is essential viewing for anyone eager to discover Britain’s numerous picturesque settings.