Mawdesley supported willow farming and basket-making in the 19th century,[2] with the growing conditions notable for producing strong and durable rods.

The Wesleyan Methodist church on New Street was built in 1844[9] from religious societies founded by John Wesley and his preachers and was at OS grid reference SD493150.

The Syd, Reed and Bentley brooks and a number of sluices run through the village into the Douglas, and the moss contains a pumping station.

[12] The Rufford branch of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal runs alongside the river in this area, having superseded the Douglas Navigation as a trading route in the 18th century.

This low, rolling hill is visible in some areas of Mawdesley and, with the wind farm, serves as a landmark from the surrounding flat landscape.