Holmeswood
Encyclopedia
Holmeswood is a small agricultural village in West Lancashire
, in the north-west of England
. It lies just north of the Martin Mere Wetland Centre
and to the south of North Meols
about six miles east of the Irish Sea
coast at Southport
.
The village's position on the West Lancashire Coastal Plain
lends it very fertile soil; unsurprisingly, agriculture (primarily of vegetables, though also some grain) is the economic mainstay of the village. Some smaller-scale pastoral farming is also seen, too.
In contrast to the more northerly villages around Banks
, Holmeswood has remained largely undeveloped, although it is conveniently placed for commuting to the nearby towns of Southport
, Preston, Burscough
and Ormskirk
. For local matters, the village falls under Rufford
Parish Council.
The village lies almost wholly on the B5246, which runs from Mere Brow
to Rufford
.
As befits an agricultural village of its size, Holmeswood has a small village hall (now home to the village nursery school), methodist primary school and a bowling and tennis club.
Holmeswood is also home to the coach firm Holmeswood Coaches, and local tourist attraction Windmill Animal Farm.
The Hesketh Family being the owners of Rufford Old Hall
, re-built the present hall as a hunting lodge.
The rise or 'brow' in approaching the hall is the ancient bank of Martin Mere. It can be seen today as a wood between Mere Brow and the hall itself the road is the ridge of the bank.
West Lancashire
West Lancashire is a non-metropolitan district with the status of a borough in Lancashire, England. Its council is based in Ormskirk. The other town in the borough is Skelmersdale....
, in the north-west of England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It lies just north of the Martin Mere Wetland Centre
Martin Mere
Martin Mere is a mere near Burscough, Lancashire, England on the West Lancashire Coastal Plain. The mere is a vast marsh, around that, until it was drained, was the largest body of fresh water in England.-History:...
and to the south of North Meols
North Meols
North Meols is a civil parish in the West Lancashire district of Lancashire, England. The parish covers the village of Banks and the hamlet of Hundred End...
about six miles east of the Irish Sea
Irish Sea
The Irish Sea separates the islands of Ireland and Great Britain. It is connected to the Celtic Sea in the south by St George's Channel, and to the Atlantic Ocean in the north by the North Channel. Anglesey is the largest island within the Irish Sea, followed by the Isle of Man...
coast at Southport
Southport
Southport is a seaside town in the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton in Merseyside, England. During the 2001 census Southport was recorded as having a population of 90,336, making it the eleventh most populous settlement in North West England...
.
The village's position on the West Lancashire Coastal Plain
West Lancashire Coastal Plain
The West Lancashire Coastal Plain is a large area in the south west of Lancashire, England.The plain stretches from the Rimrose Valley in Seaforth, near Liverpool on the Mersey, to the south, to Preston on the Ribble, to the north. To the east, the plain is bounded by the foothills of the Pennines,...
lends it very fertile soil; unsurprisingly, agriculture (primarily of vegetables, though also some grain) is the economic mainstay of the village. Some smaller-scale pastoral farming is also seen, too.
In contrast to the more northerly villages around Banks
Banks, Lancashire
Banks is a large coastal village in Lancashire, England. It lies just south of the Ribble estuary and four miles north-east of the town of Southport. The village is administered by West Lancashire Borough Council, and by North Meols parish council for parochial matters. It falls in the South...
, Holmeswood has remained largely undeveloped, although it is conveniently placed for commuting to the nearby towns of Southport
Southport
Southport is a seaside town in the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton in Merseyside, England. During the 2001 census Southport was recorded as having a population of 90,336, making it the eleventh most populous settlement in North West England...
, Preston, Burscough
Burscough
Burscough is a village and civil parish within West Lancashire in North West England, to the north of both Ormskirk and Skelmersdale.-Growth:...
and Ormskirk
Ormskirk
Ormskirk is a market town in West Lancashire, England. It is situated north of Liverpool city centre, northwest of St Helens, southeast of Southport and southwest of Preston.-Geography and administration:...
. For local matters, the village falls under Rufford
Rufford, Lancashire
-Population :-Economy:The village is largely rural with little or no industry. The farmland is grade one agricultural land. In the early 20th century the village was described as "one of the prettiest in South Lancashire" and was a destination for day trips from neighbouring towns...
Parish Council.
The village lies almost wholly on the B5246, which runs from Mere Brow
Mere Brow
Mere Brow is a small village in Lancashire, England, situated between Tarleton and Banks, just off the A565 road. It is 6 miles east of Southport and 10 miles south west of Preston. It is administered by the West Lancashire District Council and the Tarleton parish council...
to Rufford
Rufford, Lancashire
-Population :-Economy:The village is largely rural with little or no industry. The farmland is grade one agricultural land. In the early 20th century the village was described as "one of the prettiest in South Lancashire" and was a destination for day trips from neighbouring towns...
.
As befits an agricultural village of its size, Holmeswood has a small village hall (now home to the village nursery school), methodist primary school and a bowling and tennis club.
Holmeswood is also home to the coach firm Holmeswood Coaches, and local tourist attraction Windmill Animal Farm.
Geography
Architecture
Holmeswood has limited architecture, however there are two main buildings of interest:Holmeswood Hall
Holmeswood Hall stands among the dark woods between the villages of Mere Brow and Holmeswood. Thomas Hesketh, son of Nicholas Hesketh, was born at Holmeswood Hall in 1406. The present Holmeswood Hall was built in 1568 which is the date given on the 1847 ordance survey map at Lancashire Records Office. This makes the building a grade II listed building.The Hesketh Family being the owners of Rufford Old Hall
Rufford Old Hall
Rufford Old Hall, a National Trust property and Grade I listed building, was built in the 15th century for Sir Thomas Hesketh in Rufford, Lancashire, England...
, re-built the present hall as a hunting lodge.
The rise or 'brow' in approaching the hall is the ancient bank of Martin Mere. It can be seen today as a wood between Mere Brow and the hall itself the road is the ridge of the bank.
Windmill
The Windmill is situated at what is today Windmill Animal Farm, the former windmill is now residence to the owners of the farm who converted the windmill to housing. The Windmill is of Grade II listed status.External links
- Parish of Rufford with Holmeswood community website
- http://www.holmeswood.freeuk.com/
- Windmill Animal Farm