A tiny and picturesque village is officially the most central in the UK. According to Ordnance Survey, the specific centre of the UK is located on a hillside above the village in Lancashire.
Dunsop Bridge lies in the heart of the Forest of Bowland, just nine miles from Clitheroe. The village was originally part of the West Riding of Yorkshire but became part of Lancashire when the county boundaries were changed in 1974. While the village is often cited as the centre of the UK (there is even a commemorative plaque on the village green), the exact middle of the nation is a few miles in the northwest direction.
The Ordnance Survey said the centre of the UK is located on a hillside located North-west of Dunsop Bridge. The specific location is near the Whitendale Hanging Stones, making Dunsop Bridge the closest village to the exact middle point.
As well as being the most central settlement in the UK, Dunsop Bridge also boasts the 100,000th BT phone box which was installed by Sir Ranulph Fiennes in 1992. The village, which sits at the confluence of the River Dunsop and River Hodder, is hugely popular among walkers, with the most popular routes including Saddle Fell Top and Slaidburn Walk.
The Duchy of Lancaster owns much of the land in and around Dunsop Bridge. In 2006, Queen Elizabeth II visited the village alongside Prince Philip.
The pair had a stroll around the village and visited the Puddleducks Cafe. They also watched a cow having its feet trimmed at Radholme Laund Farm before having lunch at The Inn at Whitewell to celebrate the late Queen’s 80th birthday.
As well as its natural beauty and stunning moorland, Dunsop Bridge is known for its peaceful and charming atmosphere. It is a popular place to visit for travellers, walkers and nature lovers.
The Forest of Bowland National Landscape website says: “Dunsop Bridge is the entrance to the famous Trough of Bowland. Lovely winding paths from here through the moors to Lancaster are popular with thousands of fell walkers.
“With resident ducks and grassy banks it is the perfect place to stop for a picnic or a cup of tea and a cake at the cafe.”
