Garstang (GB)

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Garstang is an ancient market town and civil parish within the Wyre borough of Lancashire, England. It is 10 miles north of the city of Preston and the same distance south of Lancaster. The larger Garstang Built-up Area, which includes the adjoining settlements of Bonds and Cabus.

Garstang is mentioned in the Domesday Book as Cherestanc in 1086.

Later recordings of the name include Geresteng, Gairstang in 1195; Grestein, 1204; Gayrestan, 1236; Gayerstang, 1246; Gayrstang, 1274; Gayrestang, 1292.

The original spelling of Garstang has several interpretations: "'gore by the boundary pole", "spear post", "triangular piece of land", "common land" or "meadowland". Possibly signifying the site of a meeting-space. The Old Norse derivation being 'geiri', a gore, from 'geirr', with 'stang' or 'stong', meaning "pole" or "boundary marker". Or the Saxon derivation 'Gaerstung'. It is probable that the historic market cross is this same site.

A brief but comprehensive history of the parish, including the parish church of St Helen in Churchtown and Greenhalgh Castle, can be found in "The Parish of Garstang", A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 7. St. John Plessington was born at Dimples Hall, which is just outside the town.

Garstang was once served by Garstang and Catterall railway station which closed in 1969, and Garstang Town railway station which closed to passengers in 1930.

The town is overlooked by the ruined remains of Greenhalgh Castle, built in 1490 by Thomas Stanley, 1st Earl of Derby. Garstang Town Hall was completed in 1764.

Garstang was issued with the 308 Post Office numeral in c1874

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Garstang

Sub-Offices

Garstang Railway Sub-Office

Garstang R.S.O. Lanc. 1909

Garstang Town railway station served the market town of Garstang in Lancashire, England.

The station opened on 5 December 1870 by the Garstang and Knot-End Railway. It was situated on the what is now the west side of the B6430.

To the south was a goods shed and an engine shed and to the north was a carriage shed.

Like Cockerham Cross Halt and Cogie Hill, passenger services ceased on 11 March and 29 March 1872 due to a faulty locomotive but they resumed when it was fitted with a new engine.

The station was rebuilt in 1909 with two platforms: one on the left and an island platform, a station building on the island platform, a signal box to the west, a two road engine shed to the northwest and new carriage sheds to the northeast. 'Town' was added to its name on 2 July 1924.

The station closed to passengers on 31 March 1930 and closed to goods on 16 August 1965. The site was later developed into housing.


Cabus Office