Penketh

Coordinates: 53°23′15″N 2°39′22″W / 53.3874°N 2.6561°W / 53.3874; -2.6561

Penketh is a civil parish and suburb of Warrington, Cheshire, England. It is located about 3 miles (4.8 km) west of Warrington town centre. It has a population of 8,699.

The name is derived from two Brythonic words: *penno- (head) and *kēto- (trees) (Welsh pen coed); suggesting that the parish, at one time was on the outskirts of a forest. The emblem/badge of Penketh is three kingfishers.

History

Penketh was originally part of Prescot parish but became a chapelry and then a separate parish. It grew due to the crossing over the Mersey at Fiddlers Ferry and the building of the Sankey Canal. The area was mainly rural and agricultural until well into the 20th century, though a tannery and boatyard were established in the 19th century.

The last 50 years has seen the area transformed into a large residential suburb.

Government

Historically within Lancashire, the parish has a Parish Council and is a ward of Warrington Borough. It is in Warrington South constituency of the United Kingdom Parliament. Until the major local government reorganisation of 1974, Penketh was part of Warrington Rural District.