The village of Churchtown was formerly known as North Meols. North Meols was mentioned in the Doomsday book. The name ‘Meols’ appears to have derived from an early word for sand, the term ‘meals’ or ‘males’ being a Norwegian term for sandbanks, which could suggest a Viking settlement.
The Parish of North Meols (which included Churchtown, Crossens, Marshside and Banks) has had its history dated back to pre-conquest days. Known then as Otegrimeles, it was held by Saxon Lords until the Norman Conquest. It is nestled in between the sea and Martin Mere, this narrow strip of arable land that constituted North Meols passed onto William De Coudrey. His son Robert built the first manor house-Meols Hall. The inhabitants of the area worked the land and sea earning a meagre existence, living in clamshaft and daub cottages scattered around the Church (St Cuthberts), this small cluster of cottages became known as Churchtown.
Meols Hall has since passed down through marriage and inheritance and in the 16th century became the property of the Heskeths of Rufford. Much of the old house was demolished in the mid 18th century, leaving just its 17th century core and one wing. Meols Hall was used as a farmhouse until the family of Charles Hesketh took residence in 1919. Between 1960-64 Roger Fleetwood-Hesketh carried out reconstruction work much to his own design.
Meols Hall has been acclaimed as one of the most convincing country houses constructed since World War II and is a grade II listed building. It is open to the public only a handful of days per year.
Of course with houses of a certain age and history there is the invisible inhabitants (Ghosts) which have rumoured to haunt the hall. From the Hesketh families own recent writings, the Hesketh children were so familiar from an early age with unruly poltergeists and saw ghosts so frequently they referred to them as ‘the television people’ when television was still black and white. The poltergeists were eventually exorcised and since then the house has, despite its spooky priest-hole, been turned into one of the areas brightest of houses. Meols Hall and the Tithe Barn are popular today far beyond Southport for weddings and Ceremonials.
Meols Hall remains the family home of the Heskeths.
This area is really busy especially during the summer months so great care and stealth is required. Please bring your own pen and tweezers. Also as an extra hint the cache is not visible to the eye finger-tip search required. The difficulty rating has been adjusted. Good luck!