Ormskirk

Ormskirk is an historic Market Town in the heart of West Lancashire steeped in history and character. It offers excellent shopping and a wide range of restaurants, cafes and pubs all in walking distance within a compact town centre. There’s been a market here since 1286 when monks at Burscough Priory were granted a Royal Charter by Edward I, today the bustling Charter Market takes place every Thursday and Saturday.

Discover more about the town’s 800-year history with a visit to the 12th Century Ormskirk Parish Church. Named St Peter and St Paul, the church is one of the only three churches in the country to have both a steeple and a spire. Another historic landmark is Ormskirk’s grade-II listed Clock Tower, situated in the heart of the town centre it was built in 1876 in dramatic ‘gothic’ style.

Whilst visiting the town take an opportunity to visit Ormskirk’s Chapel Gallery, the first public art gallery in the area which opened in 2001 as a result of a successful lottery application. The Gallery has a large exhibition space and is host to a lively exhibition programme of high quality artwork. The gallery boasts excellent facilities and access, impressive bespoke lighting features, a welcoming cafe area and a popular contemporary craft shop.

Ormskirk is home to Edge Hill University. Named after the district in Liverpool where it was founded as a teacher training college in 1885, it relocated to a campus on the outskirts of the town in 1933 and gained university status in 2006. The University now offers over 200 different undergraduate courses, facilities open to the general public include the Rose Theatre and an award winning sports complex.

Round off your visit to Ormskirk with a stroll around Coronation Park, with its lush, landscaped gardens and ornate bandstand the Park also hosts various events throughout the year for all ages. Take advantage of other walking routes in the area for further details check out the Council’s website. www.westlancs.gov.uk/leisure