Grestein

Garstang
Market cross in Market Place
Garstang
Garstang shown within Lancashire
Population	4,268 (2011 Census)
OS grid reference	SD495455
• London	199 miles (322 km) SE
Civil parish	Garstang
District	Wyre
Shire county	Lancashire
Region	North West
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	PRESTON
Postcode district	PR3
Dialling code	01995
Police	Lancashire
Fire	Lancashire
Ambulance	North West
EU Parliament	North West England
UK Parliament	Wyre and Preston North
List of places UK England Lancashire 53°54′11″N 2°46′01″W / 53.903°N 2.767°W / 53.903; -2.767Coordinates: 53°54′11″N 2°46′01″W / 53.903°N 2.767°W / 53.903; -2.767

Garstang is an old market town and civil parish within the Wyre borough of Lancashire, England. It is 10 miles (16 km) north of the city of Preston and the same distance south of Lancaster.

In 2011, the parish had a total resident population of 4,268; the larger Garstang Built-up Area, which includes the adjoining settlements of Bonds and Cabus, had population of 6,779. Garstang is famous for being the world's first ever Fairtrade Town.

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 is mentioned in the Domesday Book as Cherestanc. Later recordings of the name include Geresteng, Grestein, 1204; Gayrestan, 1236; Gayerstang, 1246; Gayrstang, 1274; Gayrestang, 1292.

The town celebrates an arts festival and an agricultural show (which has been continued for 200 years) every year in August.

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Wikipedia