History

[Site Map][News][Council][Committee][Diary][History]

A brief history of Freckleton

Location

Freckleton is a village in Lancashire not far from the coast, between Preston and Lythham St Annes. It is known throughout Lancashire as the Village of music and flowers. Lytham St. Annes, a fashionable place to shop, is approx. 9 miles away, the Lake District National Park is an hours drive away, and Southport with its famous Lord St. shops is 45 minutes drive. We are around a 15 minutes drive away from the City of Preston.

If you enjoy, walking Freckleton is part of the Lancashire Coastal walking route. This walk extends from Silverdale to Freckleton via Knott End and Fleetwood and uses the Ferry to cross the river Wyre. It is a popular walk with bird watchers.

There is also a new walk which was opened on 25th June 1999 The Lund Way, it is a short walk of 2.5 miles. It is accessed from the A584 road going towards Preston, on the left hand side were there is a Lancashire County Council route map showing places of historical interest on the walk. The walk takes its name from the Parish of Lund which comprises the villages of Newton with Scales, Clifton and Salwick.

Travelling out of Freckleton on the A584 road towards Preston on the right hand side is Freckleton Marsh These are communally managed marsh lands with a system of shared rights for grazing animals. The marsh is also a breeding site for birds. In April it is not uncommon to see bird watchers with telescopes or binoculars observing the Black Tailed Godwits returning to the marshes to breed.

Brief History

Freckleton is one of the oldest and largest Villages of the Fylde. In 1066 records show land owned by a family assuming the name of Freckleton. In the Doomsday book of 1086 it is listed but spelt as Frechelton and is written as Frechelton Manors, other spellings recorded are Frequelton, Frekleton and Frekilton.

In 1615 a new mill and house was built, this stood at the edge of the Freckleton Marsh. A mill remained on this site until 1968. In winter when there had been heavy frosts the millpond would freeze over and the local residents would skate on the frozen millpond and music would be played.

Up until the 1920's Freckleton had a tollgate and travellers to Lytham and Preston had to pay a toll. The toll was collected at toll house bridge which then allowed the traveller to use the turnpike road. To avoid paying the toll, travellers would cross the Dow brook and walk along this bridle way along Thames Street to Clifton and Lea.

In 1644 the toll house area was a site of conflict between Royalists and Parliamentarians.Sir John Meldron marched his Parliamentarians to attack the Kings Army who were stationed on the Fylde.

In 1835 Freckleton was a township in the parish of Kirkham.

Freckleton Today.

There are three places of worship in Freckleton, The Anglican Holy Trinity Parish Church, which is in the diocese of Blackburn and the Kirkham deanery. Although not strictly in Freckleton, the Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Family is to be found on Lytham Road on the Warton/Feckleton boundary at Pool Stream, and is in the diocese of Lancaster. The Methodist Chapel is on Kirkham Road. Freckleton also had a Quaker Community and there is still a burial site in Quaker Wood along Lower Lane, although this has not been used for many years. The Quakers moved their meeting place from Freckleton to Highgate Hall which is now the Bell and Bottle pub at Newton with Scales.

At one time Freckleton could boast eight pubs serving a resident population of 900. This was more connected with the Maritme nature of the area than the villagers drinking habits! Today Freckleton has three Pubs. The Coach and Horses, The Plough and The Ship. Meals and bar snacks are served at all three. Freckleton has two licenced clubs - the Freckleton Sports and Social Club, Preston Old Road and the Rawstorne Sports Centre, on the Bush Lane playing fields. There are restaurants, and several local shops.

The public Library is in the centre of Freckleton on Preston Old Road. It is a well stocked Library and also provides the community with Internet Access.

Freckleton boasts it's own Prize winning Brass Band, and also is host to the Freckleton Music festival.

The annual Club Day which is held in June is a popular event in the Village year, decorated floats, brass bands and local organisations Parade through the village and end at the park for a full day of fun and enjoyment.

Freckleton is an ideal place to live, to bring up a family or to retire.

Coach and Horses The Plough The Ship