The history of this settlement takes us back many centuries and may well have been settled in the Iron Age. Castle Clough Gorge signed just off the Accrington Road was carved out as the ice ages melted some 10,000 years ago and glaciers ground out a valley. This produced impressive rock formations which can be explored overlooking a nature trail. This is a real joy at bluebell time, but of interest all through the year. Nearby are a few bits of masonry, all that remains of Hapton Castle.

This was not so much a castle as a fortified manor house built in 1242. From the 14th century this was the house of the de-la-legh family. Later this passed by marriage into the Towneley family.   Later in the 16th century, Sir John Towneley built Hapton Tower on the top of Hambledon Hill.

This was the base for his huge hunting park, but by the 18th century all the deer hunters had gone and the tower was demolished.