This fabulous image from 1957 shows that some things never change. Here we see a traffic queue on the old Penwortham roundabout. If it weren't for the snaking line of cars and buses you would be able to see just how picturesque this area isThis fabulous image from 1957 shows that some things never change. Here we see a traffic queue on the old Penwortham roundabout. If it weren't for the snaking line of cars and buses you would be able to see just how picturesque this area is
This fabulous image from 1957 shows that some things never change. Here we see a traffic queue on the old Penwortham roundabout. If it weren't for the snaking line of cars and buses you would be able to see just how picturesque this area is

Penwortham's past in pictures: Here's 22 photos giving a snapshot of South Ribble's Penwortham through the ages - from the 30s to the 70s

Just up the road and across the River Ribble sits proud Penwortham.
By Naomi Moon
Published 23rd Aug 2022, 15:45 BST

The now sprawling township of Penwortham has a long history, its existence being first recorded in the Domesday Book. And at one time the village developed in two separate parts, Lower Penwortham, by the 18th century bridge, and Higher Penwortham, round the parish church of St Mary and the priory. Nowadays, however, the whole area simply falls under the blanket name of Penwortham, though some of the older generation among us still refer to it as Lower and Higher Penwortham. Here you can see the changing face of the town from the 30s right the way up to the 70s. We will also be delving into Penwortham’s more recent past – the 80s and 90s – in another story. READ MORE: Look back at Leyland in the 60s and 70s. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: More pictures of Leyland in the 80s and 90s. MORE MEMORIES: Changing face of Leyland’s Worden Hall and Park

All neatly stacked up at the side of the road is a huge transport of wood which was left strewn over Leyland Road in Penwortham. Traffic was held up by police road blocks during the incident in 1962

1. Penwortham past

All neatly stacked up at the side of the road is a huge transport of wood which was left strewn over Leyland Road in Penwortham. Traffic was held up by police road blocks during the incident in 1962 Photo: Archive

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A fantastic picture of the old railway bridge across Leyland Road in Penwortham. The bridge was dubbed the 'killer bridge' by local residents and was later dismantled in 1970 following a campaign by the Lancashire Evening Post and those concerned with the safety of the structure

2. Penwortham past

A fantastic picture of the old railway bridge across Leyland Road in Penwortham. The bridge was dubbed the 'killer bridge' by local residents and was later dismantled in 1970 following a campaign by the Lancashire Evening Post and those concerned with the safety of the structure Photo: Archive

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The Oaks was a large Grecian style villa built in 1837 for John Cooper, a Preston cotton magnate. The house stood on a site off Hill Road, but was accessed by a long drive which joined Valley Road almost at the point where it opened into what is now Leyland Road. The Oaks was demolished in the 1920s and the land used for rebuilding but there is one survivor – an old red brick kitchen garden wall. You will find this in Hill Road, almost opposite Greyfriars Drive

3. Penwortam past

The Oaks was a large Grecian style villa built in 1837 for John Cooper, a Preston cotton magnate. The house stood on a site off Hill Road, but was accessed by a long drive which joined Valley Road almost at the point where it opened into what is now Leyland Road. The Oaks was demolished in the 1920s and the land used for rebuilding but there is one survivor – an old red brick kitchen garden wall. You will find this in Hill Road, almost opposite Greyfriars Drive Photo: Archive

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Penwortham Priory, which was demolished in 1925 when the phenomenal housing development took place in Penwortham, and where over 16,000 people live. The old building lives on by street names at Penwortham - such as Priory Lane and Monks Walk, near where the Priory once stood, and even a Bishopsway, off the more distant Pope Lanen

4. Penwortham past

Penwortham Priory, which was demolished in 1925 when the phenomenal housing development took place in Penwortham, and where over 16,000 people live. The old building lives on by street names at Penwortham - such as Priory Lane and Monks Walk, near where the Priory once stood, and even a Bishopsway, off the more distant Pope Lanen Photo: Archive

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