Turton Curiosities This page has been updated with new text and photographs (2023)
Two Unusual Sign Posts Bury Rare survivors of a time before local maps were commonplace
Hurst Grange, Penwortham Once the private ground of a Victorian mansion, now a public park
Bobby the Iron Horse, Leyland A lasting tribute to the lives of working horses
Furness Abbey Precinct Curiosities A host of historic features outside the fence of the monastery ruins, but within the traditional bounds of the abbey
A History of Arnside Tower A Medieval tower house with a fascinating past, but an uncertain future
A History of the Judges’ Lodgings, Lancaster A Georgian Town House that hosted visiting judges on the Northern Circuit
James ‘Treacle’ Sanderson Monument Remembering the trailblazing Victorian runner
Penwortham Priory Gatehouse Once in Penwortham, now moved to Hutton
The Mexico Disaster A daring rescue and the biggest lifeboat disaster in the history of the RNLI
Cowm Reservoir and Deserted Valley The story of the emptying out of a valley to meet Rochdale’s demand for drinking water
The Witch’s Grave, Lytham An isolated grave in a woodland setting
The Winter Hill Trespass 1896 A series of marches for access to the moorlands, long before the more famous Kinder Scout protest
Red Moss Bog Body, Horwich An ancient find becomes a focal point to save an endangered landscape
The Pack Horse Bridge at Turton Bottoms A rare survivor of from the age of horse transport
Black Rock Waterwheel, Edgeworth A monument to the bygone age of watermills
Leighton Hall, near Carnforth The seat of the Gillow family, the hall features a wealth of the firm’s furniture
Two Lads, Horwich Two stone mounds stand on a ridge near Winter Hill. Why are they there?
Great House Barn, Rivington Huge timber cruck frames dating from the Stuart times
The Winter Hill Transmitter, Belmont For almost 60 years the aerial has been a familiar landmark, but are its days numbered?
Astley Hall Farm Bronze Age Burial Monument A chance discovery reveals a prehistoric structure
Astley Park Curiosities A wealth of history that can be seen in a stroll around the parkland at Astley
Noon Hill Bronze Age Cairn, Rivington Excavation has revealed many of the cairn’s secrets
A History of the Ashton Memorial, Lancaster A huge monument, but to what?
St Leonard’s Church, Walton-le-Dale An impressive church on an imposing site
Winter Hill Bronze Age Cairn, Belmont The mound offers a glimpse into Bronze Age beliefs in the afterlife
Galgate Silk Mill The first and last silk mill in England
Beal Vale History Trail A guide to the local streets and the location of where the mills once stood in Shaw
The Mussel Tank, Lytham The Lytham and Banks Fisherman’s Co-operative Society’s cleansing tanks have gone, but are not forgotten
A History of Lytham Windmill The iconic Fylde coast windmill, that is open to all
Robin Hood Stone A huge prehistoric monolith stands in a Liverpool housing estate
Enfield Wharf A late Georgian warehouse and stable block on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal
The Calderstones Rare survivors from a Prehistoric burial chamber
Searching for Benjamin Franklin in Lancashire The American scientist, inventor and statesman had strong connections with the county
Preston to Garstang Turnpike Milestones An impressively long sequence of milestones from the Georgian era
Salford Histories Festival At the end of October there will be a celebration of Salford’s past
A History of the Allerton Oak A venerable old tree in Liverpool that may once have been the site of a Medieval Hundred Court
Garstang Toll House and Roman Milestone A north-south route, as important in the Georgian times as it was in Roman times
Greenbooth Reservoir and Drowned Village Beneath the waters lies the village of Green Booth
Birkenhead’s Medieval Monastery An incredible survivor, despite the odds
Barton Corn Mill A rare surviving example of a watermill in Lancashire
Worsley Green and Fountain Monument A monument to a vanished way of life
Worsley Delph A relic from the canal age, that now has a look of the picturesque
The Lost Church of St Stephen’s, Astley The graveyard stands as a memorial to a church struck by disaster
The Cockpit of Conscience A new book about Stuart Age Lancashire
Catterall Cross A restored cross in a Medieval base
Swarthmoor Hall An Elizabethan house with an historic link to George Fox, founder of the Quakers
Singleton Fire Station A tiny Victorian building, which once held the village’s fire engine
The Mystery of ‘The Mount’ Why was the large mound at Preesall constructed?
The Pilling Bog Body A prehistoric burial that was believed to have been a murder victim from Georgian times
Preesall Windmill An early Victorian mill in need of some renovation
Pilling Windmill A formerly derelict mill now restored as a residence
The Seven in Lancashire A perplexing story featuring allegations of demon possession and witchcraft
Cuerden Hall history book A new, free online publication gives a hugely comprehensive history of the hall
Howick Cross A large Medieval socket stone, with a restored cross
West Lancashire Railway Bridge When the railway was dismantled, the bridge still had an unusual other function
Free publications on South Pennines Woodlands A celebration of woodlands, with a strong historical focus
Penwortham’s Lost Medieval Monastery A long vanished, small priory with an intriguing history
Penwortham Old Bridge, Preston A vital link that replaced the dangerous fords on the Ribble
Castercliff Iron Age Hillfort, Nelson An intriguing site that hints at attack and abandonment
Jumbles Reservoir, Bolton A late 20th Century reservoir, part of a chain that was begun in Victorian times
Marshside Fog Bell Set up after a terrible tragedy, as a guide to those lost in the fog
Castlesteads, Bury A promontory fort, protected by a river and steep sides
Burrs Mill, Bury Built by Robert Peel senior, who tried to enact legislation to protect child workers, while shirking responsibility for those that worked for him
Slaidburn Curiosities The village has a wealth of history, from the Medieval through to the Victorian era
Bradshaw Hall and Bleachworks, near Bolton A historic house that had a bleachworks built right next to it
Higher Woodhill Mill, Bury This page has been significantly updated with more text and photographs
Roger Worthington’s Grave The story of how a single grave was placed on the moors above Hawkshaw
The Lost Abbey of Tulketh The monks of Furness Abbey first set up a monastery at Tulketh, which failed to prosper
Tulketh Castle, Preston A vanished castle from early Norman times, which once stood overlooking the River Ribble
Birkacre Mill, near Chorley Arkwright’s early pioneering factory, that met with an early demise
Ashworth Moor Reservoir, near Heywood In a stunning setting, this reservoir led to the closure of nearby mills
Cheesden Lumb Mill, near Heywood An impressive ruin, which had a variety of uses in the textile industry
Wainwright Memorial, Blackburn A commemorative toposcope, at a place where Wainwright once gazed upon the distant Lakeland fells
Cuerden Valley Curiosities Hidden history around the historic parkland
Cinder Hill Engine House ruins, Bury A rare discovery of an early mill site in Holcombe
Lowry Statue, Knott End-on- Sea A commemoration of the artist’s visits to the town
Halsall Navvy A commemorative sculpture, remembering the work of the navvies on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal
Ribchester Roman Fort A Lancashire Roman site of huge strategic importance
Tentering Tower, Ramsbottom An eye catching building that played an interesting role in the town’s textile industry
Kathleen Ferrier Memorial Garden A monument to one of the 20th Century’s most popular singers
Brungerley Bridge, Clitheroe A scenic beauty spot for over a hundred years, this site once witnessed the dramatic capture of a king
The Ruskin Library and Museum, Lancaster A late 20th Century building housing the largest archive of the Victorian visionary John Ruskin
Haddock Park Wood Cross, Near Brindle A large well preserved Medieval boundary cross
Manchester’s Medieval College of Priests: Chetham’s School and Library The history of these buildings is long, varied and very interesting
Wyre Aqueduct From above or below, an impressive bridge that carries the Lancaster Canal over the River Wyre
Poulton-le-Fylde’s Market Square Curiosities Passers by can reach out and touch these centuries old artefacts
St Chad’s Church, Poulton-le-Fylde A fascinating church, and a turbulent history
Newton Hall, Hyde The skeleton of Medieval manor house, rescued and restored
Greenhalgh Castle A tower from the castle stands as a lonely sentinel in the Garstang countryside
Furness Abbey One of the best preserved abbeys in the whole country, it lies within region known as Lancashire North of the Sands
Piethorne Valley Reservoirs Six reservoirs built near Rochdale for the people of Oldham
Ellenroad Engine House On steam days visitors can still see the huge twin engines of Victoria and Alexandra in action
Parbold Windmill A fantastically preserved Georgian mill
St Stephen’s Church, Holden Wood and Haslingden Grane The church that moved…
Rochdale’s Lost Castle A motte and bailey castle once stood on the hill at Castleton
Damhouse, Astley A late Tudor manor house, preserved by the local community
Cuerden Hall Gardens, Bamber Bridge An American garden and pinetum are just two of the features of this country estate
The Lost Village of Haslingden Grane Three reservoirs were to seal the fate of this once thriving community
Stockport Museums under threat of closure: Latest Update News as of 25/1/20 as to what is happening to Stockport’s beleaguered museums
Astley Green Colliery: Lancashire Mining Museum A group of volunteers are preserving the unique heritage of a former coal mine
Hoghton Tower, near Preston A Tudor house with commanding views over the local countryside
Ightenhill’s Lost Manor House Once one of the most important Medieval buildings in Lancashire, a recent project has uncovered its location
Gawthorpe Hall, near Padiham A grand Tudor country residence, with Victorian additions
The Strange Tale of Edward Kelley at Walton-le-Dale A Tudor story of diabolical darkness
Two Stockport museums face closure Stockport town museum and Chadkirk Chapel are under threat. The other council museums will have reduced opening hours
Peel Monument or Holcombe Tower This Victorian monument can be seen for miles around Bury and affords great views over the countryside
Ribbleton Hall ruins, Preston The footprint of this large Victorian mansion can still be seen in Grange Park
Scotsman’s Stump Many people have passed this memorial and wondered how and why the Victorian traveller George Henderson was murdered…
Kem Mill The extensive ruins of a print works and bleach croft that came to a dramatic end
Cuerden Hall, Bamber Bridge A late Georgian Hall with a large historic parkland
St John’s Parish Church Broughton A church that dates back to the Tudor times, with a wealth of history
The Co-operative Pioneers, Rochdale Cemetery The stories and graves of the men that helped inspire a world wide co-operative movement
Watergrove Reservoir and Drowned Village A Victorian village and mills destroyed to make way for clean drinking water for Rochdale
Cockerham Cross A Medieval base with a modern shaft
St Michael’s Cockerham A church with history that stretches back to the Medieval era
Cockerham’s Lost Augustinian Priory A small monastic community once lived here, close to a rival one by the sea
Claughton Viking burial This page has been updated with new sketches added of the artefacts discovered and on display at Harris Museum Preston
St Margaret’s Church, Hornby A Tudor church with a wealth of local history both inside and out
Castle Stede, near Hornby A motte and bailey castle built by Roger de Montbegon
Halton Castle, near Lancaster A motte and bailey castle once guarded this strategic point
Elmfield Hall, Accrington Home of Frederick Gatty, pioneer cotton dye maker
Peel Monument, Accrington The Peel family’s donation to the people of Accrington commemorated
Plantation Mill, Accrington The ruins of a Victorian calico printing factory
Arden Hall ruins, Accrington A Victorian hall that has been excavated and now reclaimed by nature
Hornby Anglo-Saxon Crosses An early Anglo-Saxon religious site in the Lune Valley
The Sigurd Cross, Halton near Lancaster In the churchyard is a tall Viking age cross which depicts the story of a Viking hero
Moss Bank House and Ainsworth Bleachworks, Halliwell, Bolton A prosperous bleaching dynasty and what remains from their time
St Thomas the Martyr Church, Upholland near Wigan A Medieval church, with a host of fascinating later features
Upholland Priory A Benedictine Monastery near Wigan
Speke Hall A large Tudor house surrounded by Victorian gardens
Portland Basin Warehouse One of the largest canal warehouses to be constructed and now an excellent museum
Kersal Cell This page has been updated with some more information on the small monastery
Warton Old Rectory A Medieval manor house that was often embroiled in disputes between local powerful families and the crown
Update on three of the Lancashire Museums that had closed due to austerity cuts: The museums have reopened part time!
Holy Trinity Church, Bolton-le-Sands The existing church is part Medieval and has a long and interesting history
Plug Riots and Chartists, Preston A memorial to the Preston Martyrs
Kirkham’s Last Loom An Edwardian loom that stands as testament to Kirkham’s textile industry that stretches back to early Victorian times
Bolton-le-Sands Free Grammar School Dating from the Stuart times, this listed building is still in excellent condition
Clifton Cross Only original socket stone of this medieval cross survives, but a modern cross sits in its base
Lancaster’s Georgian Customs House Now the Maritime Museum, this building has an interesting history in establishing the wealth of the town
Kirkham Windmill Now converted to a house, this Georgian windmill is well worth a look
Marsh Mill, Thornton The only working windmill in the whole of the north west of England
The Dub and Windmill, Wrea Green near Preston A village with a large rural green and a host of historical features
The pages on Ribchester’s Roman Granaries and Mellor’s Roman Signal Station have both been updated with new information added
Lancaster Castle : The Prisons and Courts The castle has been a prison and a court right from the very beginning
Lancaster Castle : The Fortress A huge Medieval castle, with a long and varied history
Lund Roman altar, Clifton near Preston A Roman altar now used to baptise Christians
Clifton Windmill, near Preston A late Georgian windmill, saved from demolition and now converted to a public house
Sawley Bridge, Sawley A Georgian bridge over the River Ribble
Viking Stones, Bolton-le-Sands Two fragments with interesting carvings, including part of a rare hogback stone
Old Grammar School, Middleton An imposing building constructed in the time of Queen Elizabeth I and little changed since then
Norton Priory, near Runcorn A once wealthy priory is now Europe’s most excavated monastic site
The Starting Chair, Moor Park, Preston It looks like a rough wayside cross, but has had a more recent use…
Sherburne Cross, Moor Park, Preston A modern cross shaft inserted into a very old pedestal
Criffel Stone, Crossens, near Southport A large glacial erratic, all the way from Scotland
St Leonard’s Church, Middleton A very old church in a commanding position, with a wealth of history
Liverpool Castle Replica A reproduction of the lost castle, at Rivington near Horwich
Liverpool’s Lost Castle The medieval fortress may be long gone, but we know where it stood and a lot about its history
Formby Lifeboat Station Not just the first in Britain, but the first worldwide
Early Transatlantic Flights- via Southport The little know roll of the Ainsdale to Birkdale foreshore playing a vital role in the days of early aviation
Broughton Tower Although the tower was demolished two hundred years ago, a large part of the moat still exists on this little known site
Clitheroe’s Town Wells One from Medieval times and two from the Stuart era, these wells provide an interesting insight into town life in the past
Church Cottage Museum A small Tudor cottage near Preston holds a long and fascinating history
Rufford Old Hall The impressive Tudor Great Hall, together with Stuart and Georgian additions make this a must see visit for lovers of historical architecture
Park Hill House : Pendle Heritage Centre The history of the home of the Bannister family in Barrowford, now a well know museum and visitor centre
Kirkham’s Lost Roman Fort All traces may now be gone, but there’s still a lot of history been found about this important Lancashire fort and we’ve pinpointed exactly where it was
Turton Tower Curiosities Lots of Victorian heritage in the grounds of the much older tower
Preston Dock Curiosities There still plenty to see at the modern Riversway development, if you know where to look
Ellen Strange Memorial and Cairn A stone pillar and cairn of stones are a present day reminder of a terrible crime
Three Lancashire Museums to Reopen ! Good news about Helmshore Textile Mills, Queen Street Mill Burnley and Judges’ Lodgings Lancaster
Robin Hood’s Well, Helmshore near Bury In great condition, this ancient well has a long history of supplying water to weary travellers
Cuerdale Viking Hoard Returns to Lancashire ! Go and see it at the Atkinson Museum in Southport
Grants Tower, Rambsottom, Bury A ruined folly is saved from total collapse
Turton Tower, Chapeltown near Bolton A Medieval Pele Tower with Tudor and Stuart additions has a long and intriguing history
Melandra Castle, Roman Fort, Glossop Lying just a few miles outside our region, a Roman fort that still shows its extensive earthworks
Kersal Cell and Kersal Moor The intertwined histories of a very small monastery and the moorland around it
Holker House : Darwen Heritage Centre A grand Victorian house, formerly home of two doctors is now the hub to promote Darwen’s history
Edisford Bridge, Clitheroe Both a battle and a medieval leper hospital mark this important ford and bridge crossing
Towneley Hall, Burnley The home of the Towneley family, who were often at odds with the rulers of their day
Tottington Dungeon, Bury A Victorian town lock up with intriguing carvings on the stonework
Stonyhurst Hall and College The home of the Shireburn family who were frequently at the mercy of the religious authorities…
Craggs Row Windmill, Preston Many locals don’t know about this well hidden secret, but it’s easy to find…
Hob Cross, Lathom A newly reinstated cross on a medieval site
Fred Dibnah Statue and Corliss Steam Engine, Bolton The famous steeplejack memorialized in bronze stands before a Bolton built steam engine
Feniscowles Hall ruins, Blackburn From a distance can be spied the old hall, but there are lots of other buildings and landscape features you can visit nearby
Worden Park Walled Garden, Leyland A recently restored kitchen garden with original Georgian and Victorian features
The Hall at Lostock, Lostock Hall near Leyland The new Park of St Catherine’s incorporating nature, history and commemoration
Brindleheath and Old Jewish Cemeteries, Pendleton, Salford Hidden away close to the city centre is a small historical and wildlife site
Sandy Holme Aqueduct, Thompson Park, Burnley The tunnel vaulting contains a range of intriguing carvings
Becconsall Old Church, Hesketh Bank A small Georgian Chapel on the edge of the Hesketh Marshes
Cann Street Well, Tottington An old coaching road well, still in very good condition
Leyland Town Cross and Well A medieval cross and ancient well site at the heart of old Leyland
Newburgh Village Cross Old medieval market cross set in the conservation area of Newburgh near Lathom
Mount Pavilion, Fleetwood A Victorian garden and viewpoint, restored back to its original splendour
St Leonard the Less Church, Samlesbury An unusual Medieval church, with a plethora of family box pews
Fleetwood’s Victorian Lighthouses Two are in fantastic condition, one is probably not long for this world…
Fleetwood Museum is the first of the five Lancashire Museums to reopen At last some good news about our beleaguered museums
Lancaster’s Lost Roman Fort A history of the fort and a walk around where it once stood
Worden Hall and Park, Leyland Georgian and Victorian parkland and buildings
St George’s Hall, Liverpool A huge grade I Neo-Classical Victorian civic building
St Michaels on Wyre, a Medieval church with large contrasts to its sister church of St Helens
St Helens Church, Churchtown near Garstang, Medieval building with many interesting artefacts to see, both inside and out
Smithills Hall, Bolton originally a Medieval hall with impressive Tudor and Victorian extensions
Claughton Viking Burial A rare burial mound and grave goods
Furness Viking Hoard A chance find from a turbulent historical time
Dalton Castle, Dalton in Furness A fine Pele tower, once owned by the Abbot of Furness Abbey
Platt Hall, Platt Fields Park, Rusholme A superb Georgian House that doubles as Manchester’s Museum of Costume
Lancashire Links Page– at last a page that links to all your favourite Lancashire history societies, museums and websites !
St Walburge’s Church, Preston An impressive building with tallest church spire in the country
Nico Ditch, Platt Fields Park, Manchester This Dark Age defensive structure is a rare remnant from Saxon times
Radcliffe Tower, Radcliffe near Bury A huge ruined Pele Tower at the heart of old Radcliffe
Jubilee Tower, Quernmore, near Lancaster A folly view tower on the road to the Trough of Bowland
Quernmore Dark Age Burial, near Lancaster The discovery of two mysterious boat shaped objects
The Lost Leper Hospital of St Mary Magdalene, Preston A medieval hospital with an intriguing history
Five Lancashire Museums will now close, but there’s still hope The latest update on the plight of our museums
Lytham Hall, Lytham the finest Georgian Hall in Lancashire ?
Lancashire Museums have a short stay of execution There still time to act to help save our museums
Lydiate Abbey, the ruined church of St Catherine, West Lancashire The church that never was an abbey….
Lydiate Hall ruins, Lydiate, West Lancashire Picturesque ruins dating from the Tudor times
Heritage Lottery Fund May Want £1.6 Million back from Lancashire over the decision to close two of its leading museums Plans to save money by closing museums just doesn’t add up
Five Lancashire Museums to Close and Six More Could Follow Read the terrible news about our flagship museums and see what you can do to help save them
Manchester Roman Fort and Vicus Impressive reconstructions and archaeology on show in Castlefield
Godley Lane Cross and Shorey Well, Burnley An imposing blackened wayside cross and a rescued well head
Leyland’s Tudor Grammar School, South Ribble Museum Education for all comers
Tocca’s Stone, St Stephen’s Churchayrd, Tockholes A strangely shaped stone, with mysterious origins
Parbold Bottle Monument, Parbold An unusual structure, with stunning views
Steam Tram Turning Triangle and Twin Waiting Rooms, Darwen At the cutting edge of steam powered transport
Samlesbury Hall, near Preston Grade 1 listed Tudor manor house
Brindle Churchyard, near Chorley Medieval grave covers and wayside cross bases lie tucked away in the graveyard
Witton House, Witton Park, Blackburn The site of a vanished grand hall still has lots to explore
Bury Castle The remains of a fortified manor house in the centre of modern day Bury
Bank Hall, Bretherton, West Lancashire A ruined hall, saved by the local community
India Mill Chimney and Darwen’s Victorian Machinery Italian inspired architecture and Victorian mill machinery, all to see for free
Penwortham Castle, near Preston A classic Norman motte and bailey, with commanding views over the Ribble
Holden Cross Base, Haslingden A huge square stone socket that once held a wayside cross
Pilgrims Cross, Holcombe Moor, Bury This post has been updated with a historical picture of the destroyed cross base
Doffcocker or Halliwell Cross An impressive cross with an unusually carved head piece
Wycoller Hall The ruined hall in the picturesque Wycoller Country Park
Foulridge Wharf and Lime Kiln A restored late Georgian canal warehouse and preserved lime kiln
Tailor’s Cross and Low Well, Foulridge An intriguing Norman cross and restored well
St Helen’s Well and Cross, Whittle le Woods A holy well site, commemorated with a modern cross in a woodland setting
Astley Hall, Coach House and Walled Garden All free to visit, a spectacular site displaying Tudor, Stuart and Georgian architecture
Burscough Wharf, West Lancashire A purpose built Victorian facility housing for maintaining the ‘horse power’ to pull canal boats
Ribchester’s Roman Bath House Another great Lancashire Roman Bath House site, by the idyllic River Ribble
Walton-le-Dale’s Lost Roman Military Site, near Preston A hidden site that still contains many questions about its true purpose
Cartmel Priory and Gatehouse A fantastic Monastery Church, once in Lancashire, now in Cumbria
Lancaster Roman Baths and Wery Wall Alongside the Roman Bath House is the mysterious Wery Wall, part of a late Roman fort built to repel overseas invaders
Lancashire Past 