M62 at Stott Hall Farm: The House That Split a Motorway

M62 at Stott Hall Farm: The House That Split a Motorway

England, europe

Length

N/A

Elevation

N/A

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

Year-round

Cruising the M62 between Lancashire and Yorkshire, specifically between junctions 22 and 23? Get ready for a head-scratcher! Right there, smack-dab in the middle of the motorway, sits a farm. Yup, a real, live farm, with multi-lane highways zooming past on either side.

Forget the urban legend about stubborn owners! Turns out, Mother Nature had other plans. A geological fault lurking beneath the soil forced engineers to split the motorway around this historic gem. We're talking about Stott Hall Farm, dating all the way back to 1737! This stone beauty, originally a shooting lodge on Moss Moor, is now a working farm.

Since the late '60s, millions have gawked at this sight. Nicknamed "Little House on the Prairie" by radio jockeys and CB enthusiasts, it's a bonafide UK motorway icon. It's even been the star of documentaries and a quirky John Shuttleworth tune!

Don't worry about the farmers; they've got a secret underpass for private access. Fences and trees create a livestock-friendly zone and a bit of privacy, and triple-glazed windows keep the motorway hum at bay. Plus, these guys are eco-warriors, restoring peatlands and providing homes for birds.

Stott Hall Farm is a total anomaly—a centuries-old farmhouse that won its battle against progress. It's a reminder that sometimes, the best detours lead to the most unforgettable sights.

Where is it?

M62 at Stott Hall Farm: The House That Split a Motorway is located in England (europe). Coordinates: 53.6897, -1.4314

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Road Details

Country
England
Continent
europe
Difficulty
moderate
Coordinates
53.6897, -1.4314

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