Aughton
Adjoining the south and south-west side of Ormskirk is Aughton, an
extensive agricultural and residential parish crossed by both the
road and railway from Liverpool to Ormskirk and including the
original main-road village of Aughton. Aughton is one of the most
attractive residential districts in the area, pleasant tree-lined
roads being found in all parts of the parish. The most interesting
building in the parish is St Michael’s Parish Church, a structure
with a spire of slender proportions rising to an octagonal upper
storey of an otherwise square tower.
Banks
Barton
Becconsall
Meaning ' Burial mound of a man named Bekan' Becconsall was first
mentioned in 1208, at that time being known as 'Bekaneshou' which is
derived from Bekan an old Irish name and the old Scandanavian word
'haugr' . Dating from 1667 Becconsall Hall has been the family home
of the Becconsall's, Molyneux's and Hesketh's. It is at the end of a
lane going east from the village road, just south of the church.
There is a Railway Station at Becconsall but alas only on a narrow
gauge line operated by 'West
Lancashire Light Railway' which runs a short distance.
Bickerstaffe
A farming community straddling the M56 motorway, mostly part of the
Lord Derby estate. The village has along association with the
Quakers, many of whom are buried in the burial ground in Graveyard
Lane. The name Bickerstaff mean either " where beech trees
grow" or "The landing place of the bee-keepers".
Evidence of a 17th century glass-making kiln was during excavations
in "Glass Hey Field". The road to Barrow Nook is part of
the original road that led to Knowsley Hall the family home of the
Derby's. A 17th century windmill (Now a private house) can also be
found in the village. The original Bickerstaff Hall was built by
Ralf Bickerstaff although very few original details remain with most
of the present hall dating from the Georgian period. The Stanley
Gate Inn was transferred to its present location from across the
road in the early 19th century.
Bispham
The quiet small hamlet of Bispham lies in the eastern section of the
West Lancashire district and is only a few miles from both Wigan and
Chorley. Sited on the slopes of the Parbold Hills above the Douglas
Valley, Bispham Green is the focal point of the parish from where a
number of winding lanes radiate around the beautiful countryside -
ideal for walking and exploring. The Eagle and Child pub gained its
name from Sir Thomas Latham (one of the Earls of Derby - the
Stanley's) who in the 14th century had an illegitimate son, he is
said to have place the child under a tree in which an eagle nested,
and later whilst out walking with his wife 'found' the child
convincing his wife to adopt the child. The area was first mentioned
in the Domesday Book of 1086 as 'Biscophan' meaning 'The Bishops
Estate' being derived from the Old English words ' Biscop &
ham'.
Burscough
First recorded in 1190 as 'Burscogh' meaning 'The wood by the fort'
Burscough is located on a small ridge above Martin Mere, which prior
to draining was one of the largest lakes in England although very
shallow. Basketmaking in Burscough was a forerunner to the
textile industries no doubt due to the close proximity of many
reeds. Basketry as an art form in itself, had been traditionally
handed down through families and although only a small domestic
industry, it held a great deal of importance within the Burscough
Community.
Schoolboys
were often employed by the Osiers to pick the willows. The industry
steadily progressed through time and by the late 19th century 10
family industries dominated the Burscough market. Basketry still
continues to this day in Burscough, however, on a somewhat smaller
scale, a result of the development of the plastics industry.
The
Leeds and Liverpool canal joins the Rufford branch at Top Locks,
where can be seen a toll house, locks, canal workers cottages and a
turning pool known as 'Wannin Pool' where the barges from Liverpool
turned round for the return journey.
Burscough
Priory: Founded in the late 12th century, the Augustinian
priory was undoubtedly a beautiful Gothic structure. Nowadays, the
meagre ruins tell a story of the suppression and the reformation of
the monasteries. In 1454 three of the Priory's canons were fired for
practising black magic.
In
1563, Henry VIII’s anger at the Pope for refusing to recognise his
divorce from Catherine Of Aragon and marriage to Anne Boleyn, led
him to forcefully close down monasteries all over England and seize
their wealth. The historic significance of Burscough Priory is
reflected in its status as a Grade I Scheduled Ancient Monument.
Blythe
Hall: lies within a short distance of the ruined Burscough Priory.
It was suggested by Archaeologists in 1887 that the hall may have
been an infirmary for the priory, however, there has, as yet, been
no evidence to substantiate this. The hall’s name is derived from
Geoffrey Travers, then the owner, acquiring the title of de Blythe
in 1189. The building has seen many extensions throughout time. In
the early 16th century the hall was made of hand-made brick and
using stone, possibly from Lathom Hall. Nowadays, the privately
owned Blythe Hall is protected as a Grade II listed building. Read
more about Burscough courtesy of Stan Strickland's Website
Dalton
Great
Altcar An agricultural parish,
Great Altcar extends for several miles along the north side of the
River Alt. The rural community extends for over a mile along the
Formby to Downholland crossroad. The most interesting building in
the village is the parish church erected in 1879 by the Earl of
Sefton. it is a charming little black and white’ structure with
massive timbers and at the west end, stout posts form an arch,
support and bell-turret. In the churchyard are a pedestal font and a
stoup which are from earlier churches on the same site.
Halsall
Much of this western part of the district, borders onto Sefton and
has very rich, fertile agricultural farming lands reclaimed from
Halsall Moss over the years. The Hamlets in the Halsall Parish also
include Shirdley Hill, Primrose Hill & Bangors Green. The
village, with its imposing church, stands on the Southport to
Aintree road.
Haskayne
One of the Hamlets in the parish of Downholland. it is a part
of the rich fertile farmland area in South West Lancashire.
Hesketh
with Becconsall This most
northerly parish in the district has a lengthy foreshore along the
south bank of the Ribble and also extends along the west bank of the
River Douglas. Eskyth as in Hesketh Bank, is Scandinavian for
racecourse. Not that there is a racecourse in Hesketh Bank today but
time was when a bygone lord of the manor held horse races on the
sands at the confluence of the Rivers Ribble and Douglas. It is now
predominantly a market gardening area, once largely waste and
marshland, washed at high tide by the sea
Holmeswood
is a small hamlet within the parish of Rufford which straddles the
B5246.
Hundred
End
Lathom
The lovely, rural parish of Lathom lies to the east of Ormskirk and
Burscough. It can be found when travelling north on the A59 from
Ormskirk by turning right on to the A5209 and continuing for three
quarters of a mile. A concealed turning into Wheat Lane, passing
over the wooden swing bridge, leads to the charming Top Locks’
area of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. One can take a pleasant
stroll along the Rufford branch, or perhaps the main canal towards
Newburgh.
Lydiate
Meaning 'A place at the swing-gate' which is taken from the Old
English word 'hild-geat' first recorded in 1202 as' Liddigate'
although a 'Leite' was mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086. The
Ruins of St Catherine's Chapel can be found at Lydiate as can
the pretty Rufford spur of the Leeds Liverpool canal. Lydiate is a
small village situated about 12 miles from Liverpool and five miles
from Ormskirk. The Leeds Liverpool Canal runs through it. The St
Thomas C of E Church was built in 1840. Our Lady's RC Church
was built by Thomas Weld Blundell. The stone for Our Lady's came
from the Upholland and Aughton Moss Quarries. Inside are four
alabaster panels representing the martyrdom of St Katharine which
originally came from St Katharine's Chapel built close to Lydiate
Hall by the Ireland family. Thomas Weld Blundell also built the RC
School in Hall Lane in 1862. This is now a private dwelling.
The St Thomas C of E School in Southport Rd was erected by public subscription
in 1839. In 1854 the schoolhouse was also the Lydiate Post
Office. Lydiate is home to the Scotch
Piper, the oldest pub in Lancashire, built in the 16th century.
Originally named the Royal Oak, it has also been called the
"Bag Pipes" and the "Old Lolly", after nearby
Lollies Bridge.
Mere
Brow
Newburgh
Although there was a small settlement in the area long before the
Normans invaded our shores in 1066, Newburgh came into its own in
the 14th century. The village’s land, cottages and farms belonged
to the Earl of Derby during the English Civil War and, to this day,
Newburgh retains a close-knit community spirit, and a strong desire
to maintain the village character. A winner of the ‘Best Kept
Village’ competition, Newburgh holds an annual fair every June.
New
Lane
North
Meols Adjoining the eastern edge
of Southport is North Meols, an extensive parish largely devoted to
farming and market gardening. It is said that North Meols got its
name when a Viking look-out shouted Meols as his dragon-bowed ship
turned up the Ribble Estuary. Meols’, they say, is a Scandinavian
word for sand dunes.
Ormskirk
Ormskirk is a town that combines character and history with the best
of modern shopping attractions. The main shopping area is around
Church Street, Burscough Street, Moor Street and Aughton Street.
Shoppers can stroll in safety away from the noise and bustle of the
traffic in the pedestrian areas in the centre.
Cobbled
alleyways lined with specialist shops include the Church Walks
development which mingles the old with the new at the heart of the
town. A major new superstore development close by is another
attraction.
The
town takes its name from the Vikings who founded "Orme’s
Kirk" and today the Parish
church gives Ormskirk fame as well as a name as it is one of
only three in England which has both a tower and a steeple. It
stands at the end of Church Street and is well worth a visit.
West
Lancashire District Council’s main offices are on Derby Street.
Nearby is Ormskirk and District General Hospital while the
well-known Edge Hill University College is just outside the town
centre on St Helens Road.
Ormskirk
Charter market gives the town an extra buzz each Thursday and
Saturday. Stalls are set up in the pedestrian area in three of the
streets which meet at the Clock Tower in the heart of the town. The
Food Market on the Market Way car park also attracts many shoppers. More
about the Town
The
market dates back to 1286 when the
Monks of Burscough Priory obtained from the King a grant to hold a
weekly outdoor market. The traditional open air market is now a
major focal point for West Lancashire, attracting shoppers from far
and wide. The 150 stalls sell everything from pullovers to pottery
and from flowers to furniture and are open for business each
Thursday and Saturday from 8am to 4.30pm.
Ormskirk
Parish Church - one of only three in
the country with both a tower and a spire is one of West
Lancashire’s greatest treasures and well worth a visit. It is rich
in historical and architectural heritage, with fragments of Saxon
and Celtic masonry in the East wall and 12th Century Norman work on
the north side of the chancel. The steeple dates from the 15th
Century. Its massive tower was built around a century later to carry
the bells brought from Burscough Priory after the dissolution, using
masonry from the medieval Priory.
Parbold
The charming and picturesque village of Parbold, which rises from
the River Douglas to form Parbold Hill, is an ever-popular visiting
place. Offering magnificent views over the surrounding countryside
from Parbold Hill, the village itself is a thriving shopping area.
The township is blessed with excellent places to eat and drink as
well as a beautiful stretch of the Leeds/Liverpool Canal - ideal for
an autumn stroll or a summer picnic.
Parbold
was first mentioned in the documents of Burscough Priory and the
Cockersand Abbey at the turn of the 12th and 13th centuries and in
1292 was referred to as a place "where pears are grown" Bold
is derived from the old English meaning, "a place of dwelling.
Most of Parbold was owned by the Lathom Family of Parbold up to the
Civil war after which time it was confiscated. Parbold Hill, at
almost 400ft dominates the parish.
Parbold
windmill was built in the 18th century to replace an earlier one on
the River Douglas. This one was steam powered. Nowadays, the front
annexe to Parbold’s old windmill plays host to The Mill House
Gallery. The gallery has a constantly changing exhibition of
contemporary art by some of the North West’s leading artists. Also
on the premises are the studios of James Bartholomew (a small
selection of James’ earlier work is on permanent display at Beacon
Country Park Visitor Centre) and Alistair Adams. The Gallery is open
Thurs-Sun 11-5 or by appointment. Tel no. 01257 462500.
Harrock
Hill is a well known beauty spot with extensive views over the
Lancashire Plain. In the past, Harrock Hill grit, a course
sandstone, provided the basis of the quarrying industry of the area.
Close to the summit of this 147 metre hill are the remains of
Harrock Hill windmill. The building, cut into the gritstone of the
hill, was originally three storied with cellar and entrance tunnels
below ground level. The mill is illustrated as being in use on Yates
1786 map but derelict by at least1845.
Roby
Mill
Rufford
Rufford is, a delightful village which straddles the A59 road
between Burscough & Tarleton with picturesque black and white
houses and is home to the famous Rufford Old Hall, one of the
National Trust’s most beautiful properties in the North West.
There is access to a lovely stretch of the Leeds! Liverpool Canal
with plenty of walks in the area.
Scarisbrick
The largest parish in West Lancashire which is exceptionally fertile
and houses the Hamlets of Bescar & Pinfold. Scarisbrick also
boasts a Rainbow Trout fishery and an 18 hole Championship Golf
Course. Scarisbrick
Parish the largest in Lancashire was in early times an are much
avoided by travellers. With its vast tracts of poorly drained peat
marshes and the huge lake of Martin Mere forming its northern
boundary it was difficult terrain to cross. The original small
scattered farmsteads of the parish now form the basis of today's
hamlets of Barson Green, Bescar, Carr Cross, Drummerdale, Hurlston,
Pinfold. and Snape
Scarth
Hill
Shirdley
Hill
Skelmersdale
Skelmersdale is a town that looks ahead to a bright future as well
as back to a history that started with the Romans in 55BC and
includes as a major milestone its designation as a New Town in 1961.
The town is divided into distinct industrial and residential areas
with the modern shopping focus at The Concourse in the town centre.
The name Skelmersdale is of Viking origin.
Skelmersdale
boasts a sports centre, swimming pool and public library as well as
a major new superstore which has brought an extra boost to the busy
town. The industrial areas are home to many which benefit from
excellent road links, through the M58, to the rest of the country.
Skelmersdale boasts many excellent recreational facilities including
the 300 acre Beacon Country Park.
Sollom
Tarlscough
Tarleton
Lying between Southport and Preston, the parish of Tarleton is
flanked by the River Douglas which forms the district boundary.
including the hamlets of Mere Brow and Sollom, the parish also
incorporates Tarleton Moss, and is an important market gardening
area.
Up
Holland Created as a Parish
Council in April 1983, Up Holland lies on the slope of a ridge five
miles west of Wigan and is a place of great antiquity. Romans if not
stationed here, appear to have passed this way and left a figure,
probably of Roman workmanship and stated to portray the figure of
Victory to be cast up in a field at Up Holland in the 19th century.
Westhead
Westhead is a small village situated in rural West Lancashire close
to the historic market town of Ormskirk.
Wrightington
First mentioned in 1202, Wrightington then known as 'Wrichtington'
is believed to mean 'Village of the wrights' such as wheelrights. It
is derived from the Old English words 'Wyrtha' & 'tun'.
The 1742 Wrightington Hall, now used as a hospital was the home to
the Dicconson family. On the A5029 a bridge with stone ballustrades
crosses a lake which was once part of the grounds. Harrock Hall
nearby was the 17th century home of the Rigbye family and Fairhurst
Hall the home of the Banastre's.
We
wish to acknowledge the assistance of West
Lancashire District Council in compiling this web page.
|