Sleepy, small, and surprising are the words you would use to describe Waddington.
Just over an hour's drive from Manchester city centre, the Lancashire settlement is certainly on the modest size: Only 1,000 people call this place home. That's also what leads to it quiet nature.
But what is surprising about Waddington is what happened here a little over 30 years ago, reports Lancs Live. A mysterious sign inside a wooden frame attached to a lamppost reads: "Waddington, The Television Village, 1990". It tells the heart-warming story of this little Ribble Valley village's brush with stardom.
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Waddington took part in a 'TV experiment' which saw the now-defunct Granada TV temporarily set-up production and proceeded to broadcast for an hourly each evening, directly from the village hall studio.
The aim was to create 'hyper-local' programmes, with local presenters anchoring the shows, featuring guest appearances from residents, including the vicar, a children's Saturday morning segment and music from barbershop singers. It was before the multichannel format we have today, and was the first chance for residents to experience it and as a result Waddington Village TV was a huge hit.
Waddington is clearly still proud of their time in the spotlight and it isn't the only time this village, which holds the enviable position of straddling both the Ribble Valley and the Forest of Bowland (AONB), both highly-desirable areas of Lancashire to live in.
Also, in another interesting county border line twist, back in 1974 Waddington was named the 'Best Kept Village in Yorkshire' only to win that same feat years alter, but this time for being in the Red Rose county. Putting boundary changes and squabbles aside, we challenge anyone to argue with why Waddington achieved such accolades.
Because just a couple of minutes walking around this wonderful alcove of the world, with its clear water-running stream flowing gently over rocks, plush green lawns, beautifully-crafted ancient curved stone walls and bridges; you can see why.
In fact, you only really need to visit the magical Jubilee/Coronation Garden, with its technicolour flowerbeds and classic sundial. Of course, it helped that we visited during a sharp two-tone blue-sky day with the spring sun beating down, but honestly, we've seen Waddington's wonder sneak through, even in the relentless rain and bleak winter months, too.
The adorable terraced cottages, Almshouses, inns and town houses on cobbled streets are in esteemed historical company, in the form of the 15th century St Helen's Church and Waddow Hall, a 17th century manor house dripping with grandeur.
Waddington gets its name from Wadda, an Anglo Saxon chief who was implicated in the murder of Ethelred the Northumbrian King
The tiny Post Office and village is very much in-keeping with the country village aesthetic, sitting neatly in a row of yellowstone cottages. Its bright red door matches the post box and the store sits behind a traditional black and white signpost, punctuated by a more modern brown tourist sign, pointing towards nearby Eaves Country Hotel.
It is wildly accepted that a great village gets that label largely down having a proper decent pub. Well, Waddington has a trio of brilliant pubs to choose from.
The award-winning Higher Buck, is a quintessential foodie inn and is one if the 50 best gastropubs in the country and features outdoor seating which is a real sun trap. While the historic Lower Buck describes itself as 'traditionally traditional', dates back to 1760 and offers cosy lodgings, brilliantly named The Piggeries and The Coach House, in a nod to their former identities.
Finally, the Waddington Arms is a hotel and restaurant, making the village, which is close to Clitheroe, even harder to pass through without staying over to sample its delights.
Imagine living in a place where through one window you are treated to views of Waddington Fell and another an energic stream and thick trees whispering softly "a vast area of natural beauty is waiting just behind us".
If 'home town envy' was a thing, then we drove away from Waddington with severe case of it.
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