Visit Banks, Lancashire Places

Welcome to Visit Banks, Lancashire Places
The Walkfo guide to things to do & explore in Banks, Lancashire

  

Banks, Lancashire Places Overview: History, Culture & Facts about Banks, Lancashire

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Banks, Lancashire history

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Etymology

Banks is believed to have been named for the many artificial embankments built in the north of the village to protect it from winter floods from the River Ribble and the tide. The old embankment can be seen when entering Banks at Marsh Road and at the end of George’s Lane.

Early history

The earliest recorded history relates to a Guide House for travellers who forded the River Ribble from the Fylde to North Meols. At this time the area was on the most northern fringe of the ancient division of West Derby. The area was isolated to the north and west by the Ribble estuary, to the south by a chain of barren sand hills and by a lake called Martin Mere.

North Meols

North Meols was originally known as Otegrimeles, from the Norse word melr, meaning sand dunes. Historically, it centred on St. Cuthbert’s Church in Churchtown. Parts of the parish were almost completely surrounded by water until the drainage of Martin Mere and other marshland was completed.

Banks railway station

Banks had a station on the West Lancashire Railway which opened on 19 February 1878. The station had a depot and goods yard for coal merchants. Low passenger numbers led to the railway’s decline and its closure was assured by the Beeching Axe in 1964.

Greaves Hall

Thomas Talbot Leyland Scarisbrick built Greaves Hall on a 124-acre (0.50 km) site in 1900. It had a porter’s lodge by the main entrance, a gardener’s lodge, engineer’s workshop, laundry and general workshop. The hall had approximately 55 rooms, open areas situated on the ground, first, second and attic floors and a vast basement.

Water tower

Water tower off Aveling Drive dominated the skyline from the 1960s. It could be seen from miles around and from Winter Hill, 20 miles (32 km) east from the village. The tower was built for Greaves Hall Hospital and decommissioned in 1992 when the hospital closed. It was demolished in 2018 under protest by local residents.

Banks, Lancashire culture & places

Banks Methodist Primary School holds a scarecrow competition to celebrate Halloween. The village has a brass band formed in 1875. The W.I. holds meetings in a small hall on Meols Court.

Outdoor life

Banks is well known for the marshland which lies on the coast of the Ribble estuary. It is highly regarded for bird watching and attracts many visitors. There are footpaths across the village including the old railway line from Southport New Road to Rydings Lane in Far Banks.

Banks, Lancashire geography / climate

Banks is situated on the West Lancashire Coastal Plain. The nearest town is Southport, 4 miles (6 km) south west of the village. The primary industry in the area is farming, especially of flowers and vegetables.

Areas

Banks Village is the central part of the village and where most of the shops, both the religious sites and primary schools are situated. Banks Enclosed Marsh is former marshland in the north which has been reclaimed for agriculture. The villages of Churchtown and Crossens are part of Southport.

Banks Marsh

Banks Marsh is one of the most important sites in the United Kingdom for wintering wildfowl. The reserve, established in 1979, occupies over half of the total area of the Ribble Estuary.

You can visit Banks, Lancashire places with Walkfo Banks, Lancashire to hear history at Banks, Lancashire’s places whilst walking around using the free digital tour app. Walkfo Banks, Lancashire has 9 places to visit in our interactive Banks, Lancashire map, with amazing history, culture & travel facts you can explore the same way you would at a museum or art gallery with information audio headset. With Walkfo, you can travel by foot, bike or bus throughout Banks, Lancashire, being in the moment, without digital distraction or limits to a specific walking route. Our historic audio walks, National Trust interactive audio experiences, digital tour guides for English Heritage locations are available at Banks, Lancashire places, with a AI tour guide to help you get the best from a visit to Banks, Lancashire & the surrounding areas.

“Curated content for millions of locations across the UK, with 9 audio facts unique to Banks, Lancashire places in an interactive Banks, Lancashire map you can explore.”

Walkfo: Visit Banks, Lancashire Places Map
9 tourist, history, culture & geography spots

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Banks, Lancashire historic spots	Banks, Lancashire tourist destinations	Banks, Lancashire plaques	Banks, Lancashire geographic features
Walkfo Banks, Lancashire tourism map key: places to see & visit like National Trust sites, Blue Plaques, English Heritage locations & top tourist destinations in Banks, Lancashire

  

Best Banks, Lancashire places to visit

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Banks, Lancashire has places to explore by foot, bike or bus. Below are a selection of the varied Banks, Lancashire’s destinations you can visit with additional content available at the Walkfo Banks, Lancashire’s information audio spots:

Visit Banks, Lancashire plaques