Garstang History

Garstang is one of many small market towns and villages with a well-documented history

Its location on the River Wyre and with the River Lune to the North at Lancaster, and the River Ribble to the south at Preston were certainly Viking settlements, and there was evidence that “Hackensall Hall” at Knott end name comes from “Haakon” a Viking chief.

A large find of Roman coins, of considerable value was found in the Knott End area.

Long before the Norman Conquest, Garstang was a part of the Saxon manor of CHERISTANC which covered an area which took in such villages and towns as Lytham, Pilling, Knott end, Cockersand and “Greenhalgh Castle” and a spa with reputed medicinal properties.

Garstang is likely to have come from the Saxon word which means meadow land.

The right to hold a market on each Thursday was granted by Edward ll, but the privilege was allowed to lapse and in 1597 Queen Elizabeth l granted the right to a weekly market and two annual fairs.

In the Doomsday survey it is shown to be names as CHERESTANC.

William de Lancastre was the lord of the manor in 1226’ and he has shown to have given a parcel of land to the Abbot of Cockersand to hold for the Church of st Helen.

The heyday of road and mail coaches brought prosperity and trade to the town, spawning a brisk trade in inns and the horse trade generally with black smiths, coach builders, wheelwrights, and harness makers all in demand.

It became one of the most important agricultural centres in the county, and its status was recognised by the creation as a borough in 1879.

Cattle which were driven down from Scotland Northern counties often broke their journey at Garstang.

Records show that as many as 3,000 cattle were once driven through the town in 1805. Doors and windows were boarded up for the protection of people and property.

Visitors from all parts of the world were accommodated in the local inns; some famous faces have been seen in Garstang. Bonnie Prince Charlie passed through on his way south and Sir Walter Scott lost 2 gold breast pins in the area.

There is a rich community life and strong religious presence with its beautiful Church of England Church, a stately Roman Catholic Church and several fine Chapels, covering the needs of the local populace.

Garstang can boast of more public buildings then there majority of comparable towns of its size.

One of the outstanding features of Garstang is its annual Agricultural Show, which has been in existence from early nineteenth century.

The “Whitsuntide Walk” is probably one of the biggest in the North of England; it is one of the highlights for the children of every denomination.