Inner Heritage Trail
From Standish Wiki
The Inner Heritage Trail is a relatively short walk exploring the centre of Standish. It was produced in May 1999 by the Standish Community Forum for the benefit of residents and visitors alike. The Map of locations is shown below, along with the descriptions of the featured attractions.
Map of the Trail
Description of the Trail
St. Wilfrid's Church
The only Grade I listed building in the area. Re-built in 1584 on the site of the original medieval church.
The Market Place
This historic site, which features much of the heritage of Standish, is the centre of a conservation area and is currently used for an annual proclamation on Lancashire Day.
- The Cross - Erected in the late Middle Ages
- The Well - This ancient site was excavated in 1998 and the Well House restored.
- The Stocks - A form of punishment originating from the middle ages.
- Spite Row - This was the nickname given to a row of houses that stood in front of the church.
- Peace Gate - This was unveiled in 1926 to commemorate the dead of the First World War.
Further details may be found on an interpretation board in the Well House.
Former Eagle and Child
The white cottage in Market Place is a Grade II listed building and was a hostelry from 1703 until it lost its license in 1916. It was later converted for use as a butcher's shop, but reverted to a private residence in 1993.
Court House
This was behind the 3 terraced houses and former Eagle and Child Inn (opposite the church). Public meetings were held here before the erection of the Council Offices in 1836.
Church Street
This was still the main route through Standish before the completion of the new turnpike road in 1727.
Potters Bar
Originally the Ex-Serviceman's Club, but now a snooker hall.
Oddfellow's Hall
Earl of Surrey Lodge meeting place, also used for dancing classes.
Victoria Fountain & War Memorial
A focal point within the township. Built to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria (1897).
The War Memorial was erected in memory of the dead of the First World War. A ceremony is held here every year on Remembrance Day.
Wellington Place
Built in 1817 and named after the Iron Duke. It was two cottages up to 1950 when it was bought by Noel Chadwick and converted into a butcher's shop. It has since been extended at the rear to provide a cold store and an area for demonstrations.
Squire's Hey
This passage from High Street to Green Lane takes it's name from a field, part of which is now the recreation ground.
Vets Practice
This stone house started as Taylor's Drapers in 1732. Theophilus Taylor leased a "Burbage" including a shop with a small parcel of waste land from Ralph Standish. However, many people will remember it as Gregory's grocer's shop.
Library and District Office
Used for meetings, displays of local art work, coffee mornings, children's play area as well as the lending of books. Formerly the site of White Hall which housed the Customs & Excise office.
Methodist Church
The Wesleyan Chapel celebrated its centenary in July 1997.
Quakers' Place
From 1803 until the 1850's, the Quaker's had a dwelling house here in which a family lived upstairs and the lower area was the Meeting House. This land was part of the school croft and leased from the trustees of the grammar school.
Greenacre Care Centre
Site of the old Grammar school (founded in 1604) originally for the education of boys of the area. It later became a junior school for boys up to 11+ but was closed in 1964 and demolished 4 years later.
Stone Cross Base
Of uncertain origin, but not belonging to the same series as those mentioned in the Outer Heritage Trail. Possibly a mounting block for horse riders.
St. Marie's Church
Built in 1884 but worship took place in secret at Standish Hall after the Reformation of 1574.
The Beeches Hotel and Restaurant
Once the home of J. B. Almond, a local brewer and philanthropist. The house was used during World War I by the Red Cross.
Brewery Cottage/Somerfield
Former site of The Wheatsheaf Hotel and Almond's Brewery, both demolished in 1985.
Girls' and Infants School
This Grade II listed stone building, built in 1825, was originally the Standish Sunday School. The ground floor was later used as an infant's school and the upper floor as the girls school. From 1975 it was used as the St. Wilfrid's Social Club, which closed in 1999. It has now been rebuilt as part of a development of flats.
- See also: Outer Heritage Trail
The information on this page was last updated on 16th December 2002.
If it is incorrect or out of date, please help us to correct it.
