Ormskirk, Lancashire

Ormskirk is a historic Lancashire market town sitting at the junction of Merseyside and the West Lancashire plain — a genuinely attractive, well-served town that feels distinct from the surrounding conurbation and has a strong local identity. With a population of around 22,420, Ormskirk has a good range of independent shops, pubs and restaurants in its traditional market town centre, anchored by the distinctive parish church of St Peter and St Paul, which uniquely has both a tower and a steeple.

The town is home to Edge Hill University, one of England's oldest institutions of higher education, which gives Ormskirk a lively student population and a range of cultural events, while its traditional Thursday and Saturday markets have been running for over seven centuries. The famous Ormskirk gingerbread — a regional speciality quite distinct from the more famous Grasmere or Market Drayton varieties — is available from several local bakers and is a genuine piece of local culinary heritage.

Ormskirk has excellent rail links on two different lines — to Liverpool via the Merseyrail system and to Preston via the Northern network — giving unusually good connectivity for a town of its size. House prices average £242,000, making it an attractive option for families wanting good schools, a genuine community feel and reasonable commuting options into both Liverpool and Preston.