Prescot tourist information - Merseyside

Most of Prescot town centre is a conservation area, with many buildings dating from the 18th and 19th century.

The town was an important watch and clockmaking centre in the 18th century. This industry came to an end at the beginning of the 20th century and the Prescot Museum, now at the new Prescot Centre, illustrates the history of clock and watchmaking in the area as well as other aspects of local history.

Prescot was well-known to Lord Nelson, who often came to the town to visit Lady Hamilton. Her house still stands in the High Street.

On the outskirts of the Prescot is the estate of the Earls of Derby, also the home of Knowsley Safari Park. This popular tourist attraction, opened in 1971, began life in the 19th century as the 13th Earl of Derby's vast private zoo. The Earl was a patron of Edward Lear, the artist and writer of 'nonsense verse', who was a regular visitor to Knowsley Hall. Lear wrote the Owl and the Pussycat whilst staying here in 1867.

Nearby, Whiston was known historically for its coal mining and pottery, and Stadt Moers Parkhas been created on the derelict ground in former coal mining and brickmaking area.

Out and about the attractive rural settlement of Cronton, just south of Prescot, is an ancient village renowned in the 16th century for the production of watches and watch parts.