Wycoller
Hall built by the Hartley family in the latter part of the 16th
century. In the 18th century it was owned by Squire Henry Owen
Cunliffe, when he died in 1818 he left substantial debts, it slowly
went into disrepair as the stonework was taken and used for other
buildings. The friends of Wycoller were set up in 1948 with the
primary aim to preserve the Hall.
Take a complete 360º
tour of Wycoller Hall in every direction here...
Wycoller Hall is thought to be “Ferndean Manor” in Charlotte
Brontes novel “Jane Eyre”.
"The manor-house of Ferndean was a building of considerable
antiquity, moderate size, and no architectural pretensions, deep
buried in a wood. I had heard of it before……. To this
house I came just ere dark on an evening marked by the characteristics
of sad sky, cold gale, and continued small penetrating rain. The
last mile I performed on foot, having dismissed the chaise and
driver with the double remuneration I had promised. Even when
within a very short distance of the manor-house, you could see
nothing of it, so thick and dark grew the timber of the gloomy
wood about it. Iron gates between granite pillars showed me where
to enter, and passing through them, I found myself at once in
the twilight of close-ranked trees."
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte.
Picture
left is of the Pack-Horse bridge.You can take a complete 360º
tour in every direction here...
A sequence from the film “The Railway Children” was
shot at Wycoller, Dr Forrest (Peter Bromilow) is driving a pony
and trap through the ford by the Pack-Horse Bridge where he meets
Bobbie (Jenny Agutter) who is sitting on the Bridge. He drives
her home where they discuss her mother’s health and paying
the Doctors fees.
Seven bridges cross Wycoller Beck. The Clam bridge a single slab
of gritstone is thought to be over a 1000 yrs old, was swept away
in 1990 and has now been restored. It is listed as an Ancient
Monument.
It is believed that a Farmers daughter tripped on the grooves
caused by the wear from weavers clogs on the Clapper Bridge (photo
left) in 1912 and died from the fall. After the tragic accident
the Farmer chiseled the grooves flat.
