Relatively high property prices in the village reflect the fact that it is perceived to be a desirable place to live, with low crime and good education.

Earthworks and two prehistoric stone circles are shown on Ordnance Survey maps, one at grid reference SD885327 on the moors to the east of the village; both are in a poor state of repair.

[7] The village had a close association with the Thursby family, benefactors of the Burnley area,[2] and has a number of listed buildings.

These include Jackson's House in the centre of the village, which was built in about 1600, and the Church of St. John the Evangelist which dates from 1833–1839.

[11] The village has a primary school with about 180 pupils in the 4–11 age range,[12] serving Worsthorne, Hurstwood, Brownside and Pike Hill.

Students used to be organised into four houses, Gorple, Extwistle, Brownside and Ormerod, which were named after the four roads running into Worsthorne and which meet in the village square.