Fylde

Fylde is a local government district with borough status in Lancashire, England, and a region within the county of Lancashire, North West England. It borders the City of Preston to the east, Blackpool to the west, and Wyre to the north, and is approximately 13 miles west of the Forest of Bowland. The district is named after the Fylde peninsula, which also includes the Blackpool unitary authority, and is home to several notable towns, including Lytham St Annes, Kirkham, and Wrea Green.

Geography

The Fylde district is situated in the north-west of England, and is part of the larger Lancashire county. The area is bounded by the Irish Sea to the west, the River Wyre to the north, and the River Ribble to the east, and is near to the Lake District National Park and the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The district includes several notable landmarks, such as the Lytham Hall estate, which is owned by the Heritage Trust for the North West, and the Fairhaven Lake and Gardens, which are managed by the Fylde Borough Council. The area is also close to the Morecambe Bay and the Arnside and Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and is near to the M6 motorway and the West Coast Main Line.

History

The Fylde area has a long and varied history, dating back to the Mesolithic era, with evidence of human habitation found at sites such as Warton and Freckleton. The area was later settled by the Romans, who built a road through the district, now known as the A585 road, and established a settlement at Kirkham. The district is also home to several notable historic buildings, including the Lytham Hall and the Kirkham Grammar School, which was founded in 1549 by Edward VI of England. The area has also been influenced by its proximity to the Port of Liverpool and the Lancashire Coalfield, and has a strong connection to the Industrial Revolution and the development of the textile industry in Lancashire.

Demographics

The Fylde district has a population of around 76,500, according to the 2011 United Kingdom census, and is home to several notable towns, including Lytham St Annes, which has a population of around 42,000, and Kirkham, which has a population of around 7,200. The district is also home to several smaller villages, such as Wrea Green and Freckleton, and has a diverse range of communities, including the Fylde Coast and the Ribble Valley. The area is also close to the University of Central Lancashire and the Lancaster University, and has a strong connection to the Royal Air Force and the BAE Systems.

Economy

The Fylde district has a diverse economy, with a strong focus on the tourism industry, particularly in the Lytham St Annes and Blackpool areas, which attract millions of visitors each year, including those visiting the Blackpool Pleasure Beach and the Lytham Festival. The area is also home to several major employers, including the BAE Systems and the Rolls-Royce plc, and has a strong connection to the aerospace industry and the defence industry. The district is also close to the Heysham nuclear power station and the Sellafield nuclear facility, and has a strong focus on the energy industry and the nuclear industry.

Transport

The Fylde district has a well-developed transport network, with several major roads, including the M55 motorway and the A585 road, and a railway line, the Blackpool Branch Lines, which connects the area to Preston railway station and Manchester Piccadilly station. The area is also close to the Blackpool International Airport and the Liverpool John Lennon Airport, and has a strong connection to the National Express and the Stagecoach Group. The district is also home to several major bus operators, including the Blackpool Transport and the Stagecoach Merseyside & South Lancashire.

Education

The Fylde district is home to several notable educational institutions, including the Kirkham Grammar School, which was founded in 1549 by Edward VI of England, and the Lytham St Annes High School, which is a comprehensive school with around 1,500 students. The area is also close to the University of Central Lancashire and the Lancaster University, and has a strong connection to the Edge Hill University and the University of Liverpool. The district is also home to several smaller schools, including the Wrea Green Primary School and the Freckleton Primary School, and has a diverse range of educational opportunities, including the Fylde Coast and the Ribble Valley.