Many of you may not know that Kirkham once had its very own racecourse, opened in 1934 by Mr. Edward Sergeant, who earlier had purchased Carr Hill House and the Manorial Rights of Kirkham.

Mr. Sergeant turned the house into a hotel and constructed Carr Hill Racecourse on its grounds, running parallel to the Kirkham Bypass, which was constructed in the same year. Despite some early opposition, the racecourse was a success until in 1938 land was acquired by Lancashire County Council for future road expansion which prevented further racing from taking place.

During WW2, the hotel was used as an officer’s mess and the land was requisitioned for use in growing food. Whilst the hotel did re-open without its racecourse, it only enjoyed limited success and after its closure in 1963, houses were built on the site.