Crank Caverns - Izeria

Crank Caverns is the common name of the remains of the Rainford Delph Quarry near Crank in St. Helens, Merseyside, England. It is a vast network of old tunnels and caverns, with very little known about the owners or workers of the tunnels. It appears that the main portals are much newer than the deeper tunnels found behind the tight squeeze through the gated entrance. Information in the St. Helens local history archives states that sandstone quarrying began here as early as 1700. The 1840s Ordnance Survey refers to the quarry as Rainford Old Delph. The woodland surrounding the caverns was used as a game reserve by the Earl of Derby until 1939, when they became a storage facility for ammunition for the anti-aircraft position at Crank. Today, Crank Caverns are still physically accessible from a nearby public footpath, but is on privately owned land and is technically trespassing. It is still a draw for generations of curious locals who wish to explore, many having heard the numerous local myths and legends from an early age.

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Crank, Merseyside

Crank is a village near Rainford, Merseyside, England in the Metropolitan Borough of St Helens. It is in the civil parish of Rainford. Within the boundaries of the historic county of Lancashire, it is known locally for its ghost stories 'The White Rabbit of Crank' and 'Crank Caverns'. The village has one public house - The Red Cat.

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St Mary's Church, Billinge

St Mary's Church is an active Roman Catholic church along Birchley Road, Billinge, St Helens, Merseyside, England. Belonging to the archdiocese of Liverpool, the church was built in 1828, and extended later in that century. It is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade II listed building. In July 2020 its parish area was increased following the closure of St. Patrick's, Clinkham Wood and the merger of the two parishes under the one Parish Priest.

Church

Birchley Hall

Birchley Hall is a Grade II* listed Elizabethan house built in about 1594, in Billinge, Merseyside, England. Birchley Hall was bought by Christopher Anderton of Lostock, Bolton in about 1581. The present building was built by one son, James and extended by another son, Thurston in 1594. There is an inscription stone carved with 'TA 1594' on the front of the house, TA being attributed to Thurston. Thurston died in 1598 or 1599 and another brother, Christopher, lived at the hall with his wife Anne Scarisbrick until 1613, when James died, and he inherited Lostock Hall. Another brother, Roger, lived at Birchley Hall until his death in 1640.

Historic Site Landmark

1.5 km

Crank Halt railway station

Crank Halt was a railway station serving the village of Crank, Merseyside, England on the St Helens to Rainford Junction then Ormskirk line.

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