Our campus is a stones throw away from the welcoming local town of Ormskirk. For more exploring, you can easily access the vibrant cities of Liverpool and Manchester, or the beautiful forests and coastlines of Crosby and Formby.
As a student at Edge Hill you’ll benefit from studying in a region with real personality. The green spaces, nightlife and cafés of Ormskirk are only a 10-minute walk from campus (or two-minutes if you take the free shuttle bus). Or hop on a train to explore the North West region. Learn how to find us.
Shopping in the North West
The North West of England is host to a range of diverse shopping options to suit all budgets and styles.
In Ormskirk
Ormskirk is home to a variety of chain retailers, unique local shops and family-owned businesses. It’s also a hub for bargain buys at just a 15-minute walk from campus. From food and homeware to study essentials and clothing, you can find great pieces to suit your budget. Take a look around our bargain supermarkets, charity shops, and vintage stores. There’s something for everyone at a reasonable price, whether it’s on-trend clothing or excellent food.
There’s a twice-weekly farmers’ market, too. Held in town for over 700 years, you’ll find local fresh produce, cakes and bread, cheese and fresh meat and fish as well as clothes and household goods, all on the traditional stalls lining the bustling town-centre streets. And then there’s gingerbread. Ormskirk is famous for it. Thought to be produced as early as 1732 in the town, you can grab a contemporary take on the historic recipe on most market days such as from Mr Thompson’s Bakery.
Across the North West
Each of the towns and cities situated near Ormskirk offer excellent opportunities for a spot of retail therapy. In Liverpool city centre you can find Liverpool One, the largest open air shopping centre in the UK, and in Manchester you can find both the Arndale centre and the Trafford Centre.
Both Liverpool and Manchester are home to a host of independent stores where you can find clothes, arts and crafts, books, records, and much more. In Liverpool you can find many of them along Bold Street in the city centre, and on the bohemian Lark Lane in the leafy Sefton Park area. In Manchester, the Northern Quarter is the place to go for independent shopping.
Food and drink
Brunch dates, farmers markets, or cheap nights out with friends. Whatever the occasion, there’s a place to eat and drink within easy distance of Edge Hill University.
In Ormskirk
Ormskirk has a range of pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes to choose from if you’re looking for places to drink and eat out within walking distance of campus. Whether you prefer traditional pubs, quaint cafés, quirky and contemporary bars, or the late-night club life, Ormskirk offers them all, right on our doorstep.
Across the North West
You can keep your food and drink curiosities flowing with a day out in Liverpool and Manchester, each just a short train ride away. Whether you’re keen to experience the food and drink of different cultures, or go to some big-name restaurants, there’s plenty to choose from. Be sure to check out the Baltic Market if you’re in Liverpool for a range of contemporary independent street-food and drink stalls housed in the old Cains brewery building. If you’re in Manchester you can find an eclectic array of independent takeaways and restaurants in the hip Northern Quarter. Make sure you take some time to try some of the area’s local dishes, like Lancashire Hotpot, or a bowl of Scouse.
Music and nights out in the North West
Dance the night away or sing along to some live music. Ormskirk and the North West have a lively and diverse music scene to be enjoyed by all.
In Ormskirk
There’s plenty going on campus at our Student Union (SU), but if you want to try something different, why not dance the night away in one of Ormskirk’s popular nightclubs, including the infamous Alpine? Or make a night of drinking cocktails or local ales in one of the pubs or wine bars, there’s plenty to choose from.
Across the North West
Liverpool and Manchester are famous for their music and their vibrant nightlife. Both cities are the go to for nights out for most people in the North West. Each city has literally hundreds of bars, pubs and nightclubs to choose from. There’s sleek cocktail bars, dive bars, cosy real ale pubs, and venues for all scenes and musical tastes.
Manchester’s clubs are clustered around the Canal Street area. Liverpool’s are mainly located around Concert Square and the surrounding streets. However, both are home to plenty more scattered around the city centre. You won’t find it hard to find clubs and venues with live music catering to alternative music scenes and those looking for underground local acts, as well as venues hosting gigs by the music world’s biggest names.
Both cities boast a proud musical heritage. Liverpool was famously the hometown of The Beatles and Merseybeat, whereas Manchester is rightly proud of bands like Oasis and The Stone Roses as well as the “Madchester” scene of the 80’s and 90’s. Both are home to venues ranging from arenas regularly hosting the world’s biggest acts, to small independent live music bars.
The North West is host to some of the biggest music festivals in the UK, Parklife in Manchester, Soundcity in Liverpool, and Rebellion in Blackpool.
A day outdoors
Ormskirk and the surrounding area offer some great opportunities to blow away the cobwebs and embrace the great outdoors.
In Ormskirk
If you’re a bit of an explorer, or just like walking and finding local hidden gems, Ormskirk is ideal for this. See where it takes you. It could be the grounds of the parish church, or maybe to the public footpaths with panoramic views of the Liverpool skyline and as far as North Wales. If the beautiful campus grounds aren’t enough, we’re also surrounded by several nature reserves that would be ideal for taking a stroll to unwind after a busy day of lectures. On campus, we have introduced ecological features and wildlife habitats linking mixed-woodland areas and footpaths to Ruff Wood.
Across the North West
Fancy a trip to the seaside? You can also easily access the local coastal towns. The coastline in this area is a wide sandy beach that stretches for several miles from Crosby, through Formby to Southport. A walk along the beach would include a visit to the iconic “Another place” sculptures along Crosby beach, the rolling sand dunes and the red squirrel forest reserve at Formby, before finishing at Southport, with its pier and traditional seaside fish and chip shops.
Lancashire is a large county, which is mostly rural. Meaning there is no shortage of places to visit for walking, cycling, water sports and many other ways of enjoying the great outdoors. You could trek up Pendle hill, near the village of Pendle, famous for its witch trials, or admire the famous views of the Manchester skyline at Winter Hill.
Ormskirk also puts you within quick reach by car or train of The Lake District in Cumbria, and of the Yorkshire Dales, opening up even further opportunities for visiting world-heritage sites and beauty spots.
North West sport
It is easy to incorporate sport into days out in North West England. Whether you’re hitting the green, playing a game of pool with friends, or heading out to watch the match.
In Ormskirk
As well as our incredible sports facilities on-campus, there are plenty of local options to keep your sporting regime in check too. You could take part in the local Parkrun events or see what local sports clubs have to offer.
Across the North West
Across Lancashire you can find places to go cycling either outdoors in the countryside, or indoors, at venues like the National Cycling Centre. There’s even the chance to go snowboarding at the Chill Factore indoor snow slope, the largest of its kind in the UK.
You can’t discuss sport in the North West without talking about the areas footballing giants. Liverpool FC, Everton, Manchester United, and Manchester City. These are among the most famous and successful clubs in the history of the sport. They’re also some of its fiercest rivals. The Merseyside derby and the Liverpool-Manchester United clash are passionately contested fixtures. If you’re lucky enough to get tickets, you won’t experience an atmosphere like it.
Stadium tours will be available and the clubs museums open on most days. Go into most pubs on a matchday and you will likely find it packed to the rafters with supporters watching the game. Other clubs in the region include Preston North End, Blackpool FC, and Tranmere Rovers.
As well as football, the North West also is home to landmarks from other sports, such as Aintree racetrack in Merseyside, home of the Grand National, easily accessible by train from Ormskirk. The Royal Liverpool Golf Club, located in Hoylake, Wirral, is one of the most famous golf courses in the UK. It has hosted the Open tournament on numerous occasions, and is also due to host the upcoming 2023 tournament.
Arts and culture
A great option for days out when the family visit, explore one of the North West’s many museums, theatres or galleries.
In Ormskirk
As well as all the events and shows hosted at the Arts Centre on campus, Ormskirk boasts its own Arts House, The Chapel which hosts a range of events throughout the year from exhibitions and visual arts to comedy shows and music. If you’re keen to get your vocal cords moving, some of the local pubs also put on open mic nights and karaoke too.
Across the North West
The rich heritage and historical importance of the North West’s two great cities are on full display at their numerous museums and galleries. In Liverpool there is the Museum of Liverpool, The Maritime History Museum, The International Slavery Museum and the World Museum. Over in Manchester there’s The Museum Of Science and Industry, The People’s History Museum, The National Football Museum, and the Imperial War Museum. You can also get your fix of culture and history at The Atkinson Museum and art gallery in Southport
For a night out at the theatre there’s the Empire, The Playhouse, and The Everyman theatre in Liverpool, and in Manchester there’s the Opera House, The Lowry, and The Palace Theatre. Each of these venues are regular features on the tours of any major musical or stand-up comedy act. If you’re into cinema then you can watch alternative films that you may not find elsewhere, as well as screenings of old classics at Liverpool’s FACT cinema, and Manchester’s HOME cinema.
Art lovers will appreciate the chance to visit the Williamson Art Gallery and The Lady Lever art gallery on the Wirral, and the Walker and Tate Liverpool galleries in Liverpool, as well as The Manchester Art gallery and The Lowry in Manchester.
