[1] Historically part of Lancashire, the area was dense woodland until the Norman conquest, hence the village gets its name from the Celtic for "narrow wood".

Hugh de Gilbert was murdered by a group of twelve angry men in 1246, leaving no male heir.

As Catholics during the Reformation, services took place under complete secrecy in the family chapel which priests would enter through a secret passage by the fireplace in the great hall, and exit at a secluded spot on the tree-lined drive.

The Culcheths supported Charles I in the Civil War, whilst their neighbours and enemies the Holcrofts backed Cromwell and the Parliamentarians.

He had no heir, so the hall passed to his cousin Thomas Stanley and then to John Trafford, which is where the family line ends.

Blood is most famous for devising a plot to steal the Crown Jewels from the Tower of London and using them as a ransom for Charles II.

The King took pity on Blood and, after serving a short sentence, he was returned to Ireland and his estate, where he and Maria lived on a £500-a-year allowance.

The village has a parish church, primary school[5] and cricket club[6] amongst other facilities, along with it being the home of Bents Garden Centre.