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This once fine and ancient mansion house at Extwistle now lies in sad decay, and unless steps are taken soon will crumble to the ground. This antiquated manor house lies in a pastoral setting in the fields above Swinden Reservoir at Roggerham to the west of Burnley.
The hall can be approached via the path around the reservoir, and the dam at the far end. A stile here gives way to a field path, and a route onto the lane (a public footpath) running past the old hall. Extwistle Hall dates from around 1580, with a rear wing built in 1637, and was the home of the Parker family of Extwistle. This area of Briercliffe and Extwistle are steeped in tradition and folklore, one of which relates to Captain Robert Parker of Extwistle.
Captain Robert it is said, had been attending a Jacobite meeting one night in the early 17th century. The evening was moonlit as the captain left the meeting to return to his home at Extwistle. He crossed a small bridge near Extwistle Hall, at Lee Green, and was amazed to hear the incantations of a goblin funeral. Curiosity got the better of Captain Parker, intrigued he sought hiding in some nearby bushes. The recitals became louder as the procession drew ever nearer. In the moonlight the cortege approached where Captain Robert was hid, and the glow of the moon lit up the brass nameplate on the coffin. To his terror it revealed his own name, 'Captain Robert Parker'. The captain took this to be a warning against taking involvement with the Jacobites, he withdrew his support for them and refused to take any part in the failed uprising of 1715.
From Boggart stories by Jack Nadin
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