West Lancashire Coastal Plain facts for kids
The West Lancashire Coastal Plain is a large, flat area in the southwest of Lancashire, England. It stretches from Seaforth near Liverpool in the south, all the way to Preston in the north. The plain is bordered by the Pennines hills to the east and sand dunes near the sea to the west. Much of this area is very low, only a few metres above sea level.
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What is the West Lancashire Coastal Plain?
This flat land was mostly formed by glaciers long ago. People have lived here since the Neolithic period, which was a very long time ago. Back then, large parts of the plain were wet and marshy, including a huge lake called Martin Mere.
Martin Mere: A Glimpse into the Past
Today, you can visit the WWT Martin Mere wetland centre. It helps us imagine what this area looked like before people drained the land. The original Martin Mere was once the second largest freshwater lake in England, after Windermere. Rivers like the Mersey, Alt, and Ribble flow into this plain. Their flood plains also help make the land so flat.
Farming and Life on the Plain
Over time, large parts of the plain have been drained and turned into farmland. You'll see fields that are very rectangular, with dark, peaty soil and deep ditches to carry away water. Many local place names end with "Moss", which means a boggy or peaty area.
Because the land is so flat and can be wet, towns and villages often grew on any small hills or higher ground. These higher spots are sometimes made of sandstone. The soil here is very good for growing crops, making the area very productive for agriculture. Farmers grow many different vegetables, including potatoes, carrots, cabbages, brussels sprouts, and onions.
Important Towns and Waterways
The main market town for this region is Ormskirk. The Leeds and Liverpool Canal also crosses the plain. In summer, this canal is used to bring water from the Pennines for irrigation (watering crops).
The Trans Pennine Trail, a long-distance path, starts in Southport and crosses the plain. It follows the route of an old railway line towards Manchester and Hull. A historic building called Lathom House was also built on this plain.
