Unassuming Lancashire village home to big names in aerospace, beer… and even ghosts

Sometimes the smallest packages can have the most expensive and most interesting gifts wrapped. That is the case for Samlesbury in South Ribble.

The sprawled village has a small population, with sporadic rows of pretty country cottages along Cuerdale Lane and Potter Lane combined with clusters of the mansions, semi and detached houses on Preston New Road. But it is the unusual blend of engineering and industrial buildings and beautiful, historic halls dominating its landscapes that really catches the eye.

Global beer giant Budweiser has been operating a huge brewery in Samlesbury for 50 years. Brands including Budweiser, Stella Artois, Brahma, Bass and Boddingtons, which are then packaged into kegs, cans and bottles are brewed there. Then just a short drive away is the former Samlesbury Aerodrome, which is now owned by BAE systems, where they manufacture a number of aircrafts.

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Plans for the original aerodrome dates back to 1922, with its construction accelerated by the Second World War, and the first flight took off in 1940. Just down the classic winding country lane from the brewery is the village’s War Memorial Hall.

The little brick bungalow-style building looks stunning in the summer, with multi-colour blooms, hints of topiary and bursting hanging baskets. But it is the agricultural haven hidden behind a fence that is its true selling point.

The Samlesebury Area Centenary Garden is a tranquil and pleasant spot, which is maintained by dedicated volunteers and includes a water feature, planters, benches to sit and reflect, countless flowers and plants and even a greenhouse. The hall has a thriving and eclectic social and events programme, hosting anything from Argentine Tango and Salsa classes to young farmers workshops and band practice.

The hall, which has a huge field and is bordered by enormous trees and the lush South Ribble countryside, is also available to hire for parties and private functions. Then just a few hundred metres from the engineers hard at work building aircrafts, is the magnificent Samlesbury Hall.

The striking half-timbered black and white stately home sits in fabulous and wonderfully-maintained grounds and gardens. It is a dream location for weddings, and visitors can also explore the Victorian kitchen, grand dining room, schoolroom and 1950s bedrooms.

Discover the hall’s heritage and history through the centuries but also be mindful that it has strong links to witchcraft and is said to be haunted. The legendary White Lady ghost – understood to be the spirit of Dorothy Southworth who died of a broken heart – is said to have been spotted roaming the halls and grounds.

There’s also an adventure playground and plenty of space to sit and enjoy a picnic, while the hall also has the Heritage Cafe, waffllery and you can stay at The Hamlet, which is home to a collection of shepherd’s huts or the Victorian Gatehouse. Samlesbury, which also features a medieval catholic church, the Church of St Leonard the Less, and the adjacent primary school, is located in an ideal spot close to motorway networks and a short drive from the Ribble Valley, Blackburn and Preston.

At first glance, you’d never guess splendid Samlesbury was the beer, airplane and ghost capital of Lancashire.

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