The Parish of Bispham in the County of -- Lancashire --

	An early picture of the village, c1900

	An early picture of the village, c1907

BISPHAM, a parish in the hundred of Amounderness, the division of Garstang, the polling district of Poulton-le-Fylde, and the poor law union of the Fylde, or Kirkham. The number of statute acres is 4144. The parish contains two divisions, Bispham with Norbreck, and Layton with Warbreck - in the former is the village and church of Bispham , 2 miles W. of Poulton-le-Fylde – and in the latter the much frequented sea-bathing place of Blackpool, 18 miles N. W. of Preston. There are slight traces of a Roman way north of Bispham village. Courts leet and baron are held for Great Bispham and Layton-cum-Warbreck. Vauxhall was a place for concealment for Catholic priests in time of trouble. The church was existing about 1193, the doorway is Norman, body rebuilt in the 17th or 18th century – the living is a curacy – estimated value per annum, £275 – patron Sir P. H. Fleetwood, Bart. There are two episcopal chapels at Blackpool, the first built in 1821, value of curacy £130 per annum, patrons Trustees; and the second at South Shore, Poulton parish. The other chapels are one Catholic, two Independents, and one Wesleyan Methodist – three of them at Blackpool, the other one of the Independents at Great Bispham. Layton received a grant of a market and fair in 1252, but it is doubtful whether either were ever held. There is little calico weaving. Population 1801, 727; 1811, 877; 1821, 1072; 1831, 1256. Estimated value of property per annum 1815, £7637; 1829, £7665. Two schools: one free at Bispham, the other national at Blackpool. The district is flat and unmarked. The average rental is £2. 10s. customary acre.

“A Statistical Sketch of the County Palatine of Lancaster (1841)”, by Edwin Butterworth, facsimile reprint 1968, by the ‘Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society’. With grateful thanks to the Society.

And some more up to date views of Bispham

	Queen's Promenade, Bispham Photograph supplied by and © of Brian Young

	Sea Defences at Bispham Photograph supplied by and © of Brian Young