This historic old Market Town has several reminders to its past and not least of these is the splendid St Wilfrid's Church. Built in a size and style that befitted the importance of the town in the late 16th century the building stands on the site of a church that was certainly here at the beginning of the 13th century. A look around the interior of the church will provide a potted history of the area; there are tombs and memorials to all the local families including the Wrightingtons, Shevingtons and the Standish family themselves.

The Standish family came from normandy and crossed the channel with William the Conqueror. One of the family members became the Warden of Scarborough Castle and another Ralph de Standish was knighted after his part in quelling the Peasants' REvolt. There was even a Standish at Agincourt. however, the most famous member of the family is Miles Standish who sailed to the New World onboard the Mayflower with the Pilgrim Fathers in 1620. This may seem strange as the Standish family were staunch Catholics. Though there is little left in the way of monuments to the family in this country their home (pout up for sale in 1920 after the last family member died) was demolished and parts transported to America, Miles Standish is remembered in the town of Duxbury in America.

The Boar's Head Inn is one of the oldest drinking premises in the country second only to the Trip to Jerusalem in Nottingham and it dates back to 1271. Though it is now in a relatively tucked away position, the pub stood at the junction where the road to York and Durham met the road to Kendal, Carlisle and Scotland. Though much over the years has been lost there are several original features still remaining including the old cells, where prisoners convicted at Chester assizes were held for the night on their way to be hanged at Lancaster Castle and the ancient ceiling beams.

The outstanding Charnley Arms dates back some 15o years and though it has had several names in the past, today, its name is a tribute to on of Standish's most prominent citizens the late professor Sir John Charnley. A pioneering surgeon it was Sir John who made nearby Wrightington Hospital an international centre of excellence in orthopaedic surgery.

Found just over a mile from the centre of Standish and opposite the original 13th century Seven Stars pub - now a private dwelling - is the New Seven Stars pub which is itself around 140 years old. A striking lack and white building that is hard to miss.