4 of the spookiest roads to drive across in Lancashire

As Halloween approaches, there are a few unmistakable signs: the air cools, the nights grow longer, pumpkins appear in windows, and stories of the supernatural resurface. Living here in Lancashire, we’re no strangers to an eerie tale at Intack Self Drive.

Known as one of the most haunted counties in the UK, Lancashire has a rich history of ghostly legends, from infamous witches to sightings of mysterious figures wandering waysides. So, if you’re in the mood for something truly spine-chilling this Halloween, we’ve got you covered with four of the spookiest local drives you could muster the courage to do this October!

The Devil’s highway (The A666)

Let's start off close to home to set the scene! If you're from the Blackburn/­Darwen area like we are, the name the A666 won't be a stranger to you! This section of road is an important route that passes through several major towns in Lancashire, and it's known by different names depending on where you are, including Manchester Road, Bolton Road, Blackburn Road, or St. Peter's Way.

However, the A666 also goes by another name… the Devil's Highway (which, let's be honest, with an area code of 666, is anyone surprised?). The A666, or The Devil's Highway, makes its way onto this list for numerous spooky reasons, including its troubling history of accidents and fatal crashes. But more so than that, there's talk of a spectral figure clad in white wandering wayside that appears out of nowhere and vanishes just as quickly. Who is it you ask? No one knows. Some people have theorised that it may be the spirit of a monk from an old nearby monastery, but that's just speculation. It's even been caught on film or so the story goes, but we'll leave you to seek that out!

The white lady of Samlesbury Hall (Preston New Road, A677)

Samlesbury Hall is something of a local Lancashire legend, with origins tracing back to 1325, and is a treasure trove of history and mystery. Once a home for the Southworth family, it now whispers tales of tragedy and ghostly encounters. One of the most famous local legends revolves around the infamous White Lady, believed to be the spirit of Dorothy Southworth, who endlessly roams the nearby fields and roads in search of her lost love.

While Samlesbury Hall obviously isn’t a road in itself, its spectral happenings often spill over to the nearby highways, adding an air of intrigue to the area. Dorothy's story begins in the early 1500s, during a time of intense religious upheaval in England. Born in 1530, she fell in love with a young protestant boy, defying her fiercely Catholic father. When her brothers uncovered their plans to elope, a tragic turn of events followed.

Today, visitors and staff at Samlesbury Hall claim to see Dorothy’s ghostly figure not just within the hallowed hall's ancient walls but also in the surrounding fields and along the adjacent road. Some even report sightings at a lonely bus stop, where bewildered drivers stop only to find no one waiting to board. It’s a blend of spookiness and charm, paying homage to a local legend that continues to captivate the community!

The tragedy of the Pretoria Pit, Platt Lane, Westhoughton

Now we’re venturing a bit further afield, yet still close enough to home to evoke that eerily unsettling feeling. Welcome to Platt Lane in Westhoughton. At first glance, it may appear to be just a narrow road nestled in this quaint, sleepy parish town. However, it lies hauntingly close to Pretoria Pit, the site of one of Britain’s most tragic mining disasters.

On December 21st, 1910, 900 men and boys began turning up for what we can only assume was one of their last shifts before Christmas that year, blissfully unaware of the lurking danger. Following a roof collapse the day before, gas had accumulated, and at 7:50 a.m., an explosion rocked the mine. In total, 344 lives were lost, with many succumbing not to the explosion itself but to deadly carbon monoxide poisoning.

Today, locals who frequently travel along Platt Lane often share spine-tingling tales of ghostly miners making their way to work. They say some are seen travelling in groups, carts and pickaxes still in hand, while others ominously linger at the roadside, silently observing passersby. The shadows of that fateful day continue to haunt the area, reminding us of the lives lost and the stories still waiting to be told.

The witches of Pendle Hill, Cross Lane to Barley Road

This list would be complete without including Pendle Hill. Here, you'll find a landscape not only steeped in history but haunted by the tragic memory of one of England's most infamous witch trials (and a few other ghosts for good measure). The tale of the Pendle Witches takes place in the 17th century and remains one of the darkest chapters in our region's past, even to this day. Twelve individuals were accused of witchcraft, which back then was a death sentence, and while one died awaiting trial in the dungeons of Lancaster castle, ten others stood trial at court. Out of the twelve accused, only one only one walked free, while the rest met their grim fate at Gallows Hill in Lancaster on August 20th, 1612.

Yet, the hauntings of Pendle Hill go beyond the witches. Visitors often speak of other spirits, from ghostly children to wartime aircraft men whose lives ended tragically on the hill. This barren, foreboding landscape has long been a magnet for the supernatural.

You can take a drive around the hill, winding through Cross Lane and up to Barley Road, passing by the graves of some of the accused witches at St. Mary's Church in Newchurch in the process. If you're daring enough to venture there at night, step out of your car for a real fright - who knows what you might encounter.

Halloween is the perfect time to embrace the things that frighten us, and what better way than with a spooky roadtrip of sorts? And what better way to set off than with us at Intack Self Drive? With over 50 years of experience, we offer a wide range of cars, vans, or minibuses available to rent for daily hire or flexi-hire, so you'll find the perfect vehicle for whatever eerie adventure you have planned.

Whether it's just you exploring haunted roads solo or you're bringing along a group of brave friends, we've got you covered! Not sure which vehicle will suit your haunted journey best? Don't worry - our team is ready to help you find the perfect ride. Feel free to take a look at our hire deals right here on the site, or give us a call on 01254 57811 and we'll be happy to help!