NESTLING on the A56, the village of Kelbrook is on one of the few main roads linking Lancashire with Yorkshire through the Pennines.

However, stepping away from the road, the heart of the picturesque village is peaceful and retains a lot of its rural charm.

The village is mentioned in the Domesday book, complied in 1086 but it is thought it’s origins may be as early as AD 750. At this time the village would have been mainly agricultural land.

During the 16th Century the village had around 15 farmsteads. In the early 19th Century cottages were built to provide housing for the cotton workers at Dotcliffe Mill in the village and Sough Bridge and Earby mills nearby. In recent years, many of the old farm buildings and barns have been converted into high-end housing, while the former Dotcliffe Mill was knocked down and modern terrace houses built in its place.

However, apart from a number of independent shops including a grocers and Co-op, having closed, much of the village has remained much the same during the past 100 years.

Amenities in Kelbrook now include St Mary’s Church, Kelbrook Pottery shop and the village hall, which occupies the building what was once the village school.

The hall plays host to a number of social clubs including a luncheon club, a kids group, a painting group, indoor bowls and a badminton group.

Also in the village is Brook Farm Nursery, Kelbrook Primary School, a play area, a fish and chip shop, car showroom, and a petrol station which has the only shop in the village.

There are also two pubs, the Stone Trough and the Craven Heifer, both of which have over-night accommodation.

The Craven Heifer underwent a extensive renovation a few years ago and now is a very popular eatery.

Paul Maskell, chairman of Kelbrook and Sough Parish Council said: “Kelbrook is a lovely place to live, it still retains a lot of its original character. The Parish Council has worked hard to protect the village from over development, we feel that it is important to protect it for future generations.

“Although Kelbrook is quaint and rural, it has very good road links to the M65 and through to Skipton, Bradford and Leeds.

“One of the nicest things about the village is the network of footpaths through the field which provide nice places for people to walk their dogs or just take a leisurely stroll.”