Ormskirk
The name Ormskirk derives from Old Norse words meaning Orm's church. A Viking named Ormr may have settled here and founded the church, but no records confirm this identity. Archaeological evidence remains absent regarding any specific founder. The town appears in historical texts only after 1189 when the lord of Lathom granted the church to Burscough Priory. Before that date, Ormskirk was subordinate to Lathom. No mention exists in the Domesday Book of 1086 suggesting it might have been part of Lathom at that time.
Edward I granted a royal charter for an open market in 1286 to the monks of Burscough Priory. Thursday became market day by at least 1292. The location originally sat at the junction of main roads leading to Preston, Liverpool, and Wigan. A medieval market cross marked this spot before being replaced by infrastructure changes. During the 18th and 19th centuries, a large lamp mounted on an obelisk stood there with a circular drinking fountain below. This structure moved to St Helens Road and Moor Street in 1876 to make room for a clock tower. The King also issued a borough charter around the same time as the market grant, though it expired by the end of the 15th century.
The Parish Church of St Peter and St Paul stands on a sandstone outcrop as the oldest building in town. Its exact age remains unknown but contains fragments of Norman architecture. One unique feature distinguishes it from most English churches: it possesses both a tower and a separate spire at the same end of the building. Only two other parish churches share this dual design near Swindon in Wiltshire. Legend claims Orme built both structures to please his two sisters who wanted different architectural elements. The steeple dates from the early 15th century while the original blew down in 1731. Rebuilding occurred between 1790 and 1832 after the collapse. A large west tower added around 1548 houses bells from nearby Burscough Priory following the Dissolution of the Monasteries. One bell from that era still hangs within the church today. Thomas Stanley, first Earl of Derby, lies buried here along with many family members including James Stanley, seventh Earl, whose body rests in one coffin and head in another casket after execution in 1651.
Ormskirk railway station opened on the 2nd of April 1849 after being promoted by the Liverpool, Ormskirk and Preston Railway in August 1846. Completion came via the East Lancashire Railway before merging into the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway on the 13th of May 1859. Passenger services ended on the Skelmersdale Branch line on the 5th of November 1956 while goods traffic ceased at Rainford Junction on the 16th of November 1961. Final closure to Skelmersdale happened on the 4th of November 1963. The main road A59 runs north toward Preston and south toward Liverpool. The A570 crosses the town from west to east linking to the M58 motorway junction three miles away. Modern Merseyrail operations manage the station which refurbished for £1 million in 2009. Direct commuter service continues to Liverpool Central though electric trains change to diesel units beyond the northern terminus after partitioning occurred in 1970. Local bus stations serve passengers traveling throughout West Lancashire.
Local gingerbread sellers began baking products in their homes during the mid-19th century when railways arrived. They sold treats to passengers at the railway station where Edward Prince of Wales later ordered large quantities. Sally Woods became a recognizable figure selling her gingerbread on market days. Engineering industries developed making agricultural machinery alongside traditional farming trades. Morrisons converted from Safeway onto Park Road in 2005 replacing former gasworks sites. Two Saints retail park opened in 2000 containing McDonald's, Argos, Aldi, and Poundland among other retailers. Blockbuster closed its store there in December 2013 after entering administration. Tesco Metro shut down on Church Street in April 2015. The Hattersley Centre business park launched in February 2008 with Home Bargains and Howdens before Netto closed in August 2016. Lidl and Toolstation expanded the site in 2019 following £6.2 million funding secured from Royal Bank of Scotland. Atkinson & Kirby manufactured hardwood floors employing eighty people until relocating in September 2015 after over one hundred years operating locally. Professional services like solicitors and accountants now dominate the town economy.
Ormskirk School serves students aged eleven through eighteen on Wigan Road occupying land formerly home to Cross Hall High School. The institution merged Ormskirk Grammar School with Cross Hall High School under the Endeavour Learning Trust. St Bede's Catholic High School operates ages eleven to sixteen on St Anne's Road opposite the church. Edge Hill University sits on A570 St Helens Road heading eastward. West Lancashire College previously maintained a town center site on Hants Lane but moved student operations to Skelmersdale. Public libraries serve residents across the district. Victoria Park established toward the end of the 19th century contains monuments honoring Boer War and Crimean War heroes. Coronation Park opened around 1905 by the former Ormskirk Urban District to commemorate King Edward VII's coronation. It features children's play areas, skateboards, football courts, fitness equipment, duck ponds, bowling greens, bandstands, and wildlife meadows. The War Memorial relocated here from Southport Road in 2012. Ruff Wood provides countryside access on the town edge along Ruff Lane.
John Souch painted portraits between 1593 and 1645 while Charles Goore served twice as Mayor of Liverpool during his merchant career spanning 1701 to 1783. Joseph Brandreth practiced medicine for Prince William Henry Duke of Gloucester until 1815. William Thomas Lewis acted professionally known as Gentleman Lewis until dying in 1811. William Moorcroft worked as veterinary surgeon and horse breeding expert before exploring abroad until 1825. Alexander Goss became second Archbishop of Liverpool serving until 1872. Robert Harkness studied geology and mineralogy until passing away in 1878. William Edward Heaton received Victoria Cross honors before death in 1941. Sir James Jeans led Royal Astronomical Society presidency from 1925 to 1927 before dying in 1946. Euphemia Lamb modeled for Augustus John and Jacob Epstein until her death in 1957. Lady Helen Whitaker commissioned Hampshire Girl Guides from 1917 to 1924. Tom Middlehurst served Welsh Senedd member and Education Minister born in 1936. Marianne Faithfull sang As Tears Go By until passing in 2025. Sir Jonathan Pryce studied at Edge Hill College before becoming actor. Les Pattinson co-wrote music for Echo & the Bunnymen after bassist role starting 1958. Richard Drummie founded Go West band in 1959. Stuart Maconie presented radio shows and wrote journalism after studying at Edge Hill College. Jon Culshaw performed impressions on Dead Ringers beginning 1968. Nisha Katona opened restaurants and appeared on television programs born 1971. Nicole Webster became Australian marine scientist born 1973. Helen Hayes represented Dulwich and West Norwood as MP since 2015. Jack Renshaw committed terrorism offenses born 1995. John Rimmer won two gold medals at 1900 Summer Olympics before dying 1962. Jimmy O'Neill played football including 423 games total with Everton and Republic of Ireland until death 2007. Billy Ayre managed teams playing over 300 games before dying 2002. Tony Morley scored 359 games mainly for Aston Villa and six for England born 1954. Vickey Dixon earned bronze medal hockey player at 1992 Summer Olympics born 1959. John Deary played 586 games mainly Blackpool and Burnley born 1962. Mark Kearney exceeded 470 games mostly Mansfield Town born 1962. Simon Kimber played 38 First-class cricket matches born 1963. Robbie Slater played 447 games plus 44 for Australia born 1964. Duncan Ferguson logged 360 games mainly Everton and seven Scotland born 1971. John Hodge played over 340 games born 1969. Mark Bonner completed 355 games born 1974. Kieran Dowell won England U'20 World Cup playing Rangers F.C. born 1977. Stephen Warnock finished 457 games born 1981. Simon Richman played 468 games mainly Altrincham born 1990. Wes Fletcher completed 142 games born 1991. Gavin Griffiths played 31 First-class cricket matches born 1993. Laura Jackson participated in 37 List A cricket games born 1997. Maz Pacheco played Philippines and Aston Villa women footballer born 1998. Michael Jones played 43 First-class cricket matches born 1998. Tom Hartley competed in 37 First-class matches and five Test matches born 1999.
Continue Browsing
Common questions
What is the origin of the name Ormskirk?
The name Ormskirk derives from Old Norse words meaning Orm's church. A Viking named Ormr may have settled here and founded the church, but no records confirm this identity.
When did Edward I grant a royal charter for an open market in Ormskirk?
Edward I granted a royal charter for an open market in 1286 to the monks of Burscough Priory. Thursday became market day by at least 1292.
How many parish churches share the dual tower and spire design found in Ormskirk?
Only two other parish churches share this dual design near Swindon in Wiltshire. The Parish Church of St Peter and St Paul possesses both a tower and a separate spire at the same end of the building.
On what date did Ormskirk railway station open?
Ormskirk railway station opened on the 2nd of April 1849 after being promoted by the Liverpool, Ormskirk and Preston Railway in August 1846.
Which notable figures were born in Ormskirk or lived there during their careers?
Notable residents include Marianne Faithfull who passed away in 2025, Tom Middlehurst born in 1936, and John Rimmer who won two gold medals at the 1900 Summer Olympics before dying in 1962.