The breathtaking Lancashire village where a 'boringly ugly' feature could put it on the map

It's one of the most picturesque parts of our beautiful county, but one of it's most 'boringly ugly' features could put it on the map.

Sat in the trough of Bowland, Dunsop Bridge is part of a region adorned with stunning landscapes and patchwork rolling hills that obediently change colour with the seasons - the lush greens, vibrant yellows and bright blues give way to deep reds, shy browns and orange hues.

As you navigate through the valley on the narrow single-track road, your phone signal dwindling with each turn and every metre climbed, the hills and fells surround you, much like a trough. It's a drive that could easily compete with any renowned or iconic mountain pass in the UK.

If you're ever planning a car trip along this solemn route it would be a crime not to make additional time on your journey to stop at the dedicated viewing spots scattered along the route, where you can enjoy a sip of coffee from your flask next to a tranquil stream, say a cheery hello to the sheep grazing nearby, the hills so steep they look precariously placed like fairies sitting on top of Christmas tree.

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Take the time to climb the small step to the top of the Jubilee Tower and pause to feel the wind on your skin and marvel at the landscape sprawled in front of you, take a picture or snapshot for your memory. Practice using the panoramic feature on your phone at the summit views on Acre Lane, the sun sporadically beaming down through the open holes in the clouds. This is also a popular spot for hikers and cyclists to head off to trek the area's numerous trails.

The valley, which is nuzzled in the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, has strong links to the Royal Family with part of the Duchy of Lancaster Estate located within in. King Charles III, who is said to be enamoured by the area, is now the holder of the estate following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

Nestled deep within the valley lies the village of Dunsop Bridge. This rural community boasts a unique claim to fame - it's situated right in the exact centre of Great Britain.

It sits there, quietly awaiting your arrival, a reward for enduring the thrilling, ear-popping approach.

Once you arrive, you'll discover the charming Puddleduck tea rooms nestled within the end stone terrace. Here, you can indulge in freshly baked pastries and cakes - we highly recommend the Bakewell tart, which was still warm and delectable during our morning visit - as well as hot drinks and light lunches.

The tea room is conveniently located next to the village Post Office and opposite a public shelter dedicated to the Queen to commemorate her Golden Jubilee in 2012.

You can park your car in the public car park, take a leisurely stroll along the river, clean your muddy boots at the outdoor tap, and not worry if you lose phone signal - the cafe offers strong wi-fi. Plus, there's a working phone box on site (just make sure you have at least 60p in change).

But this isn't just any old phone box. It's the 100,000th of its kind in the UK, and it carries a small note reminding you that you're standing in the middle of the country.

However, potential callers should be aware that they may have to share their phone call with a few creepy crawlies - a spider was spotted busily weaving its web during our re-enactment of that famous scene involving a phone call in E. T.

Although they were controversial when introduced as a replacement for the UK's traditional red phone boxes, there are now calls for the 'ugly' BT constructions to be granted listed status. The Twentieth Century Society wants this status to be given to just one KX100 box each in England, Scotland and Wales before they are removed next year.

According to the campaigners, these represent a “final flourish of design-led telecommunications infrastructure in the public realm”. And in England, that would be the one in Dunsop Bridge.

Oli Marshall, campaigns director, said: “C20 Society has been the guardian of Britain’s telephone boxes for 40 years, and we’re now reviving our famous campaign in an attempt to preserve a handful of the underappreciated KX100s – the last in the line of the public payphone. It may be viewed as the ‘ugly duckling’ in comparison with the iconic red phone boxes, but with these three kiosks, we’ve identified the very best exemplars across the country that deserve their place in the history books.

“There’s no small irony that it was the arrival of the KX100 model that first spurred the society into action back in 1985. Once the slayer of classic red kiosks that we fought so vigorously to repel, now itself being proposed for heritage protection. What goes around comes around.”