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Hope Island in Skelmersdale, Lancashire.
Skelmersdale Library, Lancashire, England.
Nisha Katona with a selection of Mowgli Street Food Street Chat and Curries
Photo by Small-town hero
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Skelmersdale

England, United Kingdom · Europe

About Skelmersdale

Skelmersdale is worth a stop: 10 minutes from Parbold, 48km from Trough of Bowland.

Skelmersdale is a town located in England, United Kingdom. With a population of 38,813, it is an important destination in Europe.

On a road trip, Skelmersdale sits in United Kingdom, where you drive on the left. It's in the Europe/London time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Skelmersdale to your route.

About Skelmersdale

Skelmersdale is a town in the West Lancashire district of Lancashire, England. It sits on the River Tawd, 6 miles (10 km) west of Wigan, 13 miles (21 km) north-east of Liverpool and 15 miles (24 km) south-west of Preston. In 2006, it had a population of 38,813. The town is known locally as Skem . While the first

Read more record of the town is in the Domesday Book of 1086, much of the town, including the current town centre, was developed as a second wave new town in the 1960s. The town's initial development as a coal town coincided with the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century; the town lies on the Lancashire Coalfield.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Skelmersdale

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Skelmersdale?

Skelmersdale offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Skelmersdale?

Plan your road trip to Skelmersdale with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Skelmersdale as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Skelmersdale located?

Skelmersdale is located in England, United Kingdom, Europe. The coordinates are 53.5502 latitude, -2.7735 longitude.

What is the population of Skelmersdale?

Skelmersdale has a population of approximately 38,813 people, making it a town in United Kingdom.

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Quick Information

Population
38,813
Continent
Europe
Country
United Kingdom
Region
England
Timezone
Europe/London
Coordinates
53.5502, -2.7735

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in United Kingdom

Police
999
Ambulance
999
Fire
999
Non-emergency police
101
Driving side
left

112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.

Full driving guide for United Kingdom

Tags

EuropeUnited KingdomEnglandTown

Worth the detour from Skelmersdale

8 notable places within an hour's drive.

racetrack

Aintree Motor Racing Circuit

Historic circuit inside Aintree Racecourse that hosted five British Grands Prix in the 1950s-60s, where Stirling Moss took his first home GP win. Club sprints still run on the old track.

14 km · about 25 min drive

landmark

Blackpool Pleasure Beach

Iconic seaside amusement park on England's northwest coast operating since 1896 with historic and modern coasters.

33 km · about 40 min drive

cafe

Rapha Clubhouse Manchester

Manchester's cycling culture hub offering specialty coffee, kit, and a community space for riding enthusiasts.

36 km · about 40 min drive

landmark

Chester Zoo

The UK's most-visited zoo housing over 35,000 animals across 128 acres with award-winning conservation programs.

37 km · about 40 min drive

racetrack

Oulton Park

A picturesque Cheshire circuit winding through parkland with dramatic elevation changes, a favourite of British club and national racing.

43 km · about 50 min drive

famous road

Trough of Bowland

Remote moorland pass through the Forest of Bowland linking Lancaster and Dunsop Bridge, following the route the Pendle witches were marched to trial in 1612. Sweeping single-carriageway bends with barely a building in sight.

48 km · about 55 min drive

landmark

Bentley Factory Tour

Exclusive guided tours of Bentley's Crewe factory where master craftspeople build the world's finest luxury cars.

53 km · about 60 min drive

film location

Lyme Park (Pemberley, 1995 Pride and Prejudice)

The lake at Lyme Park is where Colin Firth's Mr Darcy emerges from the water in the BBC serial.

53 km · about 60 min drive

Driving roads near Skelmersdale

21 named roads, passes and coastal drives within 100km.

  • 48 kmTrough of BowlandRemote moorland pass through the Forest of Bowland linking Lancaster and Dunsop Bridge, following the route the Pendle witches were marched to trial in 1612. Sweeping single-carriageway bends with barely a building in sight.
  • 61 kmSnake PassA twisting road through the Peak District connecting Sheffield and Manchester, beloved by motorcyclists and driving enthusiasts.
  • 61 kmSnake Pass (A57)The Woodhead-era Telford road over the Pennines between Glossop and the Ladybower reservoirs, with fast curves and frequent winter closures.
  • 61 kmWoodhead PassThe A628 trans-Pennine route over bleak moorland past the Woodhead reservoirs, frequently closed by snow and high winds.
  • 61 kmHolme MossA 524 m Pennine pass on the A6024 topped by a landmark transmitter mast, a celebrated cycling climb used in the 2014 Tour de France.
  • 62 kmCat and Fiddle RoadA thrilling moorland road between Macclesfield and Buxton in the Peak District, one of the UK's most famous driving roads.

Driving in United Kingdom

Drives on
the left
Petrol
~€1.73/litre
Motorway tolls
None

When to drive here

April to October

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Skelmersdale.

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence