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Broadclough Hall situated on Burnley Road, Bacup was the home of the Whittaker family for many years, the Whittaker family came to Bacup in 1523. James Whittaker of Broadclough was Greave of the forest in 1559 and his grandfather had also been a Greave in 1515. Broadclough Hall however as only been dated to 1666. James Whittaker who was born 1 Nov 1789 was the towns first magistrate qualifying in 1824. He married Harriet Ormerod who's father owned Waterbarn Mill.
The Whittaker family owned at least 50 farms in the area, principally on the hillsides around Bacup and the Lumb Valley. Houses known as the Club Houses and many of the shops between Rochdale Road and Newchurch Road belonged to the family.
James Whittaker died on the 19th April 1855 aged 65, John his eldest son born about 1830 also became a local magistrate being appointed on the 5th July 1855. He Married the eldest daughter of Robert Munn owner of Heath Hill Stacksteads, Elizabeth Ann Munn.
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In 1887 it was reported in the Bacup Times that the house was to be let, unfurnished with house stables and pleasure grounds attached it would make a ideal home for one of Bacup’s many benefactors. Or was it a possibility that the owner Mr J Whittaker would perhaps offer up the house to the corporation for the use of the public forever.
After the death of James Whittaker in 1899 his son John inherited all the lands and property. John lived at Broadclough hall for a few years following but eventually moved away to Winsley Hall in Shrewsbury. Married twice his widow lived for a time back at Broadclough Hall, whilst his son Captain Whittaker remained at the family home Winsley Hall in Shrewsbury. At the time of his death in 1899 Mr James Whittakers left a will of £257.246. The estate was divided as £18,000 to his sons John and Robert, £20,000 to his son Norman Munn, 9, 000 to each of his daughters Mrs Godfrey, Mrs Sandford, Margaret Louise, and Mable Harriet. £300 to his wife Mary Stuart Beatie Whittaker the rest of his estate he left to his son James along with Winsley Hall.
Broadclough was inhabited in 1881 by Mr Benjamin Crapper who up until this year had been in partnership with Mr Joshua Hoyle at Olive Mill and Meadows Mill. Benjamin lived at the hall with his son also named Benjamin and his granddaughter Ada who acted as Housekeeper along with two other servants. The partnership with Hoyle ended on the retirement of Mr Crapper in 1881, 3 years later Benjamin died at Broadclough his son continued to live at Broadclough along with Ada.
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