M62 at Stott Hall Farm: The House That Split a Motorway

If you drive along the M62 motorway, on the border between Lancashire and Yorkshire, between junctions 22 and 23, you'll be greeted with an unusual sight: a farm in the middle of the motorway, sandwiched by multi-lane roads on both sides.

Stott Hall Farm

Why is Stott Hall Farm in the middle of the motorway?

Contrary to the popular myth that the previous owners refused to sell, the motorway was actually diverted due to a geological fault beneath the farm, making it impossible to build a straight six-lane road in that area. The farmhouse, dating back to 1737 and built on Moss Moor, was originally a shooting lodge and is now a working farm. The engineers split the carriageways of the M62 to preserve the centuries-old building.

How did Stott Hall Farm become famous?

Millions of motorists have driven past it since the motorway opened in the late 1960s. Radio commentators and CB radio users nicknamed it the “Little House on the Prairie.” It is one of the ten best-known sights on the UK motorway network and has been featured in a BBC Radio 4 documentary, a Yorkshire Television documentary, a short film, and even referenced (though not by name) in the John Shuttleworth song “The Man Who Lives on the M62.”

How do the farmers access the property?

Despite being surrounded by a busy motorway, the farmers have private access via an underpass. Fences and strategically placed trees help keep livestock safe and provide some privacy, while triple-glazed windows reduce the noise from passing traffic. The farm also participates in environmental and sustainability initiatives, such as restoring peatland bogs and providing habitats for key bird species.

Additional Facts

  • The farmhouse lies just 30 metres (98 ft) from the motorway lanes.
  • The M62 splits between junctions 22 and 23 due to the surrounding geography, including Windy Hill and Deanhead cuttings.
  • Access to the motorway from the farm requires a 3.7-mile (6.0 km) drive via the A672.
  • The property is secured with crash barriers to protect against out-of-control vehicles.

Stott Hall Farm remains a unique and curious landmark—a rare instance of a centuries-old farmhouse surviving the construction of a modern motorway.

 

 

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