[1] Within the boundaries of the historic county of Lancashire, the early history of Eccleston is marked by its status as a township, an area much larger than the modern civil parish, extending into what is now St.

Eccleston appears to derive its name from either the Latin ecclesia or the Welsh eglwys, both meaning "church", suggesting a common link to a place of worship (although none is known in that township until the 19th century) and a possible Celtic origin.

[4] Eccleston composed, with Sutton and Rainhill, part of a single Widnes "fee" (a hereditary entitlement of ownership) under a Knight or Earl.

[5][3][6] In 1907 the area was described as being between "two extremes, the green woods of Knowsley Park on the west, and the smoke-laden environs of St. Helens on the east" and referring to the parish more widely as turned to agriculture with the village resting "in a hollow".

Although mainly rural, Eccleston is built upon green fertile rolling hills with countryside to the north and west together with urban sprawl to the south and east.

There are several open public spaces including many woods and a small nature reserve at Mill Brow, which has benefitted from improvements in conjunction with Eccleston Parish Council and the Lancashire Wildlife Trust.

The A580 (Liverpool to Manchester) locally known as the 'East Lancs' is a 1930s trunk road running north of the borough linking the M58 and M6, traffic problems are often reported at the notorious Windle Island.

Eccleston is a suburban area with a limited number of shops at Walmesley Road, Mill Brook Lane, Millfields and Gillars Green Drive.

A number of Mother and Toddler groups take place at St Julie's Parish Hall, the library and the Lester Drive Centre.

Eccleston has several pubs including The Seven Stars, The Griffin, The Stanley, The Game Bird (previously The Royal Oak), The Wellington and The Grapes.

The main attraction is The Smithy Heritage Centre,[14] a museum about the works of a local blacksmith's business and dedicated to the history of Eccleston.

The mere was originally constructed to hold water to feed through to Pilkington's Watson Street works, but is now used solely for recreational purposes.

Erected in 1922, the striking war memorial at Eccleston Lane Ends was designed by Walter Gilbert and Louis Weingartner of Martyns and is Grade II* listed.

"[16] The front face is inscribed: "To the glorious memory of all those from the West Derby Hundred of the County Palatine of Lancaster who fought and gave their lives for their King and Country in the Great War 1914-1918.

Richard Seddon (1845–1906), 15th Prime Minister of New Zealand, was born in Eccleston and attended the local grammar school.