Dalton
The rural parish of Dalton lies to the north of Up Holland and
east of Ormskirk. The landscape is dominated by Ashurst Hill, 570
feet above sea level, which is crowned by a beacon tower re-erected
in 1768 by Lord Skelmersdale when a French invasion was regarded as
imminent. Watches were stationed at the beacon day and night to
light the fire if the enemy landed.
From the Beacon and the surrounding fields there are extensive
views across the West Lancashire plain and, on a clear day, the
mountains of Wales and the Lake District can be seen.
'Daltone' was listed in the Domesday Survey when Uctred held a
ploughland. Soon after the Norman Conquest, Dalton became part of
the Barony of Manchester and was still held to be part of the
Manchester fee as late as 1733.
Map:
Dalton Parish