Skelmersdale
| Skelmersdale | |
|---|---|
| Town | |
The Concourse shopping centre, Skelmersdale | |
Location within Lancashire | |
| Population | 38,813 |
| OS grid reference | SD487062 |
| • London | 180 mi (290 km) SE |
| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | SKELMERSDALE |
| Postcode district | WN8 |
| Dialling code | 01695 |
| Police | Lancashire |
| Fire | Lancashire |
| Ambulance | North West |
| UK Parliament | |
Skelmersdale /ˈskɛlmərzdeɪl/ is a town in the West Lancashire district of England. It sits on the River Tawd, 6 miles (10 km) west of Wigan, 13 miles (21 km) north-east of Liverpool and 15 miles (24 km) south-west of Preston. In 2006, it had a population of 38,813. The town is known locally as Skem /ˈskɛm/.
While the first record of the town is in the Domesday Book of 1086, much of the town, including the current town centre, was developed as a second wave new town in the 1960s. The town's initial development as a coal town coincided with the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century; the town lies on the Lancashire Coalfield.