15/02/2026
Thank you to everyone who contributed so far to the ‘Lost Orchard Project’ of central Lancashire 👏👏
I’ve been overwhelmed by the response which, explains in part, in my tardy reply – sorry about that!!
I’ve only partly looked at the Leyland information so far but there’s been quite a few interesting revelations already.
We know, for example, that Leyland had over 200 acres of orchards in the first half of the 20th century. Of the 8,000 or so fruit trees within these orchards, no more than 100 survive today (although, this is just a guess for now).
In addition to the old local favourites like the Walton Weeper and Kings pears and Golden Spire and Proctors Seedling apples, some people have recalled old varieties (although not native) types of plums and damsons grown within these orchards, of which a handful survive today.
Cowling Orchard, Leyland
In 1844, the orchard covered 3.5 acres and contained around 125 fruit trees – mainly pear – and the same by 1893. By 2026, there was just one pear tree remaining. An unknown variety but grafted in February 2026.
Crook Hey Orchard, Moss Side
A moderately-sized orchard at 2.9 acres and 100 trees in the Victorian period, but at the turn of the 20th century, was reduced to around 30 trees. Just one unknown pear tree remaining, grafted in February 2026.
Paradise Lane Orchard, Moss Side
A ‘new’ orchard planted in the late Victorian period, but before 1893. By 1909, this was the largest orchard in Leyland covering 15.3 acres with over 500 trees. Just nine trees remaining; six pear trees (possibly Hessle) and three plum trees.
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Next Steps! Over the coming months, I will catalogue each of your responses and match them with old Ordinance Survey maps to identify the old orchards.
Once completed, I will publish the findings on the Cocker Bar Orchard website and then I plan to publish a book with a more in-depth analysis by the end of the year.
If you know of an old orchard or old fruit tree locally (and bonus points if you know the variety), please submit this information to the Lost Orchard Project page.
https://cockerbar.co.uk/lost-orchard-project/
Thank you all once again for your response!
