Dalton, Lancashire

Not to be confused with Dalton-in-Furness, which is in the historical Lancashire.

Dalton is a village and civil parish in West Lancashire, England, near Skelmersdale and south of the River Douglas. Dalton was listed in the Domesday Book, and soon after the Norman conquest became part of the Barony of Manchester. It remained part of the Manchester fee as late as 1733. Dalton had a population of 348 (2001 Census),^[1] increasing to 383 at the 2011 Census.^[2]

Dalton
Ashurst's Beacon, on the summit of Ashurst Hill
Dalton Location in West Lancashire Show map of the Borough of West Lancashire Dalton Location within Lancashire Show map of Lancashire
Population	383 (2011)
OS grid reference	SD494081
Civil parish	Dalton
District	West Lancashire
Shire county	Lancashire
Region	North West
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	WIGAN
Postcode district	WN8
Dialling code	01695
Police	Lancashire
Fire	Lancashire
Ambulance	North West
UK Parliament	West Lancashire
List of places UK England Lancashire 53.567°N 2.763°W / 53.567; -2.763

The local landscape is dominated by Ashurst Hill, which rises 570 feet (170 m) above sea level and is crowned by Ashurst's Beacon. The beacon once formed part of a relay league stretching from Everton Brow above Liverpool to Lancaster Castle, which was in place (though unused) during the Anglo–Spanish War of 1585. The current structure dates from around 1800, when local landowner Sir William Ashurst decided that a more permanent beacon was needed for the oncoming Napoleonic Wars.^[3][4]

See also

• Listed buildings in Dalton, Lancashire
• Lancashire portal