Category Archives: Georgian Lancashire
Formby Lifeboat Station – A World First
The lifeboat station at Formby was the first in the world. Built in the early 1770s, the boat house and life boat were there to save lives on the often treacherous Formby coast. Visitors today can still see the foundations and parts … Continue reading
Rufford Old Hall, West Lancashire
The Heskeths received their estate and manor at Rufford by marrying into the Fitton family. Maud Fitton brought the land and title in the late 1200 and early 1300s. This was to be the Hesketh’s main powerbase, although they had … Continue reading
Ellen Strange Memorial and Cairn, Holcombe Moor, Helmshore near Bury
On Holcombe Moor stands a stone pillar next to a cairn. The cairn traditionally marks the place where a woman, Ellen Strange, was murdered in 1761. The circumstances of her death and the trial of her murderer were for many years … Continue reading
Three Lancashire Museums to Reopen!
Please Note: This page has been updated on 23/9/18, following delays to the reopening of two of the three museums. Good news at last on the fate of three of the four remaining closed Lancashire Museums. Lancashire County Council has announced … Continue reading
Edisford Bridge, Clitheroe
Edisford Historic Bridge Continue reading
Towneley Hall, Burnley
The first hall was built at Towneley in 1380 and was a large open barn-like medieval building, similar to the ones still seen at Smithills in Bolton and Warton Old Rectory near Carnforth. Seventy years later the huge south wing with its very thick … Continue reading
Stonyhurst Hall and College
Richard Shireburn inherited the estate at Stonyhurst in 1537. He decided to do away with most of the medieval buildings to construct a bigger, grander hall. He held important posts in the county- at various times he was a magistrate, … Continue reading
Craggs Row Windmill, Preston
Tucked away on a side street just off Moor Lane near the centre of Preston is a Grade II listed windmill. Built out of red brick in 1760, it would capture the energy of the prevailing wind blowing across from the Fylde. After the sails … Continue reading
Feniscowles Hall ruins, Blackburn
Feniscowles Hall stands as ruin today but was once the opulent home of the Fensicowles branch of the Feilden family. Their history in the area accounts for many of the buildings around Feniscowles, and there is still much to see on … Continue reading
