Burscough
Burscough is a small Lancashire village situated between Liverpool and Preston and sits neatly between two bridges, one over the Southport-Manchester railway line and the other over the Leeds-Liverpool canal.
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Burscough was, in the late 18th century, the most important canal town in Lancashire. Boats carried coal to Liverpool docks and brought back imported grain to be milled at Ainscoughs flour mill in the village.
Burscough Wharf was also the main staging post for the packet boats that carried passengers between Liverpool and Wigan, it was here that passengers travelling to Preston would transfer to a stage coach to continue their journey.
The Wharf has recently been re-developed after standing derelict for many years and is now a wonderful centre for the community and visitors alike with craft shops, tea room, home made bread shop, restaurant, wine bar and comedy club.
Ormskirk
Our nearest town is Ormskirk. It is widely believed that a viking called 'Orme' settled here, became Christian and founded the parish church (kirk), St Peter and Pauls. This church is one of only three churches in England to have both a tower and a steeple and is unique in that they are both at the same end. Legend has it that 'Orme' had two sisters, one wanted a tower and one wanted a steeple so in order to please them equally, he built both! Regrettably, the truth is not so romantic. The steeple dates from the 15th century and then the large west tower was built in the 16th century, to house the bells from the Burscough Priory following the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII.
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Ormskirk 'Charter' Market is held on Thursdays and Saturdays throughout the year. It is known as a 'Charter' Market because, in 1286, Edward 1st granted the monks from the Priory in Burscough, a Royal Charter allowing them to hold an outdoor market every Thursday. This provided a trading centre for the highly productive farmlands surrounding the town.
Subsequently, in 1461, Edward IV granted a charter for annual fairs and, in 1876, the Saturday market was added. The annual cattle and horse fairs died out in the early 20th century but the Thursday and Saturday markets survive to this day selling every manner of goods.
Southport
The elegant, Victorian seaside resort of Southport is only 5 miles away and has it all! Great shopping, beautiful gardens, funfair, marina and a fantastic variety of restaurants.
Southport has over 22 miles of coastline boasting a number of beautiful beaches.
With one of the oldest piers in the UK stretching proudly across Southport beach, a walk to the end has views that will take your breath away.
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Royal Birkdale Golf Club is a prestigious course in Southport that is regarded as the best links course in the UK. But Southport's reputation for being England's Golfing Capital is not just based on Royal Birkdale, it boasts several more courses close by.
Preston
In Preston which is about 15miles away, you can discover historic links to the Industrial Revolution and wander through Avenham & Miller Parks and Winckley Square to get a taste of the city center’s green spaces and wildlife habitats. You can also head off around the Guild Wheel, a 21-mile cycle path that circles around the city or go for a walk on one of the several footpaths and bridleways in Preston.
There’s much to marvel at the docks and marina as well, revitalised in recent years but no less historic, giving a further nod to that past heritage – from steam trains and boating to waterfront living, shopping, eateries, pubs and cinema.
Sample Preston’s reputation as Lancashire’s shopping destination, offering two shopping centres and numerous high street brands - yet all relatively compact and easy to explore – and you can soak up the awe-inspiring architecture too, not least the Victorian splendour of the Miller Arcade.
Liverpool
While in the area, a trip to Liverpool is a must. Fabulous architecture, intriguing history, entertainment and restaurants to suit every taste and last but not least, 'Liverpool One' provides a fantastic shopping experience.
Make time for a trip on a ferry across the famous River Mersey and you may see a cruise liner or navy vessel anchored in the port. Liverpool is one of a handful of cities in the world that has a deep water harbour enabling passengers to disembark straight onto the dockside.
Manchester
Manchester is a major city in the northwest of England with a rich industrial heritage. The Castlefield Conservation Area’s 18th-century canal system harks back to the city’s days as a textile powerhouse, and you can trace this history at the interactive Museum of Science & Industry. The revitalised Salford Quays dockyards now houses the Daniel Libeskind-designed Imperial War Museum North and The Lowry cultural centre.
Shopping fans should stop off at the Trafford Center, a 3-storey mall for fashion and homeware shops, department store, restaurants and multi-screen cinema.
