Ormskirk

Town in Lancashire, England, 20 km/12 mi from Liverpool; population (2001) 23,400. Situated in a rich agricultural area, it is principally a market town and residential centre. Industries include bakeries, brass foundries, and confectionery. Ormskirk has a street market and a parish church, which has both tower and spire, and contains the tombs of the Earls of Derby.

The first settlers were probably Vikings or Norsemen from Ireland in the 9th and 10th centuries. The street market was created by the grant of royal market charter to the monks of Burscough Priory in 1286. The weekly Thursday market is thought to date back to this time. In 1876 a Saturday market was added, and both are still thriving. The clock tower at the centre of the market was built in 1875 to replace the earlier market cross. Ormskirk is known for its cobbled alleyways of tiny shops, and has a tradition of bakery. Martin Mere, a marshland reserve, is 10 km/6 mi away. Edge Hill College of Higher Education is located in Ormskirk.