A magical "fairy bridge" beside a village"frozen in time" should absolutely be added to your UK travel itinerary for 2026.

Saddle Bridge, also called "Fairy Bridge", is a mythical stone crossing believed to have been constructed overnight by fairies; legend has it they were helping an elderly woodcutter escape from witches, whom he had angered after felling the tree where their coven met.

The bridge sits 130 metres north east of Rugglesmire Farmhouse – a 17th-century Grade II Listed farmhouse – in Lancashire's Ribble Valley.

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Fairy Bridge itself holds Grade II Listed status from the 17th century, bringing an extra touch of wonder and mystique to the folklore woven into this picturesque landscape filled with delightful riverside walks and sweeping countryside routes.

The bridge was reportedly restored in 1938 and constructed from sandstone rubble. Its slender structure features a single soaring arch and sturdy parapets crowned with boulder copings, reports Lancs Live.

On Saddle Bridge's southern face, a plaque bears the words "rebuilt by public subscription 1938", enhancing its historical appeal.

Fairy Bridge lies near the picture-perfect village of Bashall Eaves, tucked away in Lancashire's breathtaking Ribble Valley. This charming hamlet is set within the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and offers unrivalled vistas.

Rolling countryside, a generous sprinkling of chocolate-box stone cottages, and verdant hedgerows give Bashall Eaves the feel of a village plucked straight from a storybook.

The village's name stems from Old English, with Bashall meaning "hill by the brooks" and "eaves" denoting borders or edges – a clear nod to its location on the edge of the Forest of Bowland. The settlement was documented in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Baschelf.

Largely a privately-owned country estate, Bashall Eaves has long been held by the Worsley-Taylor family.

The village boasts numerous delightful buildings and hidden treasures including Bashall Hall – a striking Georgian-style manor house with origins in the 1600s that was extensively remodelled in the early 18th century.

Covering nearly 4,000 acres, Bashall Eaves is home to Browsholme Hall, regarded as one of the area's most historically significant mansions. Browsholme Hall has served as the ancestral seat of the Parker family – former Bow-bearers of Bowland – for more than five centuries.

Amanda Parker, who has been Lord-Lieutenant of Lancashire since 2023, lives in Bashall Eaves and oversees the commercial operations of her Grade I Listed ancestral home. According to the 2021 census, this tiny village boasted just 174 inhabitants.

Among Bashall Eaves' highlights is The Red Pump Inn, the settlement's highly-rated and best-known boozer, located a stone's throw from the village heart. Acting as a gathering spot for both locals and tourists, it's garnered rave reviews.

One enthusiastic Tripadvisor reviewer gushed: "What a little gem of a place this is. Friendly welcome from the owner before being shown to our really quite large bedroom with very comfy bed. The breakfast the next day was possibly one of the nicest hotel breakfasts I've had in a long time. The public rooms have a quaint old-worldy feel to them. Thoroughly recommend this place."

This countryside hamlet, nestled roughly five miles from Clitheroe, is essential viewing for anyone eager to discover Britain's stunning natural beauty.