Conveniently situated close to the M6, Ashton-in-Makerfield has plenty of free parking allowing visitors to explore the town at their leisure. This attractive centre provides a unique shopping experience with small arcades, side streets and indoor shopping centres nestled amongst the main shopping area.
Traditionally a market centre, Ashton-in-Makerfield is increasingly attracting well known high street multiples which compliment the existing range of large, quality independent retailers.
The refurbished outdoor market is a busy focal point in the town centre every Tuesday and Saturday.
History
Ashton means 'ash town' and Makerfield, formerly a district that stretched from Orrell to the River Mersey, means 'the ruin in the clearing'. For hundreds of years the area's fortunes were linked with the Roman Catholic Gerard family. The Gerards were Royalists during the Civil War, and in 1651 Charles II lodged at their seat, Bryn Hall, on his way to defeat at the Battle of Worcester. Coal mining in the 19th century brought the family immense wealth but they moved away to Hertfordshire after the First World War.
