Pilling | |
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The church of St John the Baptist, in Pilling |
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Pilling shown within Lancashire | |
Population | 2,020 (2011 Census) |
OS grid reference | SD405485 |
• London | 204 mi (329 km) SE |
Civil parish |
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District | |
Shire county | |
Region | |
Country | England |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | PRESTON |
Postcode district | PR3 |
Dialling code | 01253 |
Police | Lancashire |
Fire | Lancashire |
Ambulance | North West |
EU Parliament | North West England |
UK Parliament | |
Pilling is a village and civil parish within the Wyre borough of Lancashire, England. It is 6.5 miles (10.5 km) north-northeast of Poulton-le-Fylde, 9.4 miles (15.1 km) south-southwest of Lancaster and 14.5 miles (23.3 km) northwest of Preston, in a part of the Fylde known as Over Wyre.
The civil parish of Pilling, which includes the localities of Stake Pool, Scronkey and Eagland Hill, has a total resident population of 1,739, increasing to 2,020 at the 2011 Census.
Pilling is an ancient settlement, founded on what was essentially an "island" with the sea on one side and marsh on the others. From artefacts finds, there is evidence of spasmodic human activity within this territory dating back to the Neolithic period.
Some of the materials that went into the extension of the Garstang railway from Pilling to Knott End-on-Sea came from Richard Fleetwood’s first charity school at Preesall. The school had gradually become more and more dilapidated so the contractors knocked it down and used the stones for the railway.
In 1808 Pilling Windmill was built. Because Pilling is below sea level the mill itself is 73 feet (22 m) tall, the tallest on the Fylde. The mill converted to steam power 1886, and the sails were removed the year after. The mill continued to operate until the 1940s, after which it fell into disrepair. By 1975 the mill had been restored for use as a private residence. The top of the windmill was restored with a traditional wooden cap in 2007.
"Pilling in Bloom" was a competition held in 2004.
Pilling is an extensive mossland parish covering 3,387 hectares situated on the southern corner of Morecambe Bay. Bus routes link Pilling to Lancaster, Knott End and Fleetwood.