[1] The distinctive town name is derived from Celtic and Anglo Saxon origins, it is a hybrid of the Welsh pen, meaning hill and the Old English word worphamm, meaning enclosed homestead, with earlier names of Peneverdant and Pendrecham (1200); Penwrtham (1204); Penuertham (1212); Penwortham (1260) and Penewrthamn (1292).

[2] The town's history can be traced to pre-historic times with archaeological evidence showing that the ford at Middleforth was used to cross the River Ribble.

[2] In the 12th century Penwortham was the head of a barony held by Warine Bussel which included a large part of Leyland Hundred and manors in West Derby and Amounderness.

The barony was acquired by Roger de Lacy in 1205, and descended as part of the Honour of Clitheroe to the Earls and Dukes of Lancaster and the Crown.

Charles I sold the royal manor to Edward Ditchfield and others in 1628 and it later passed to the Faringtons of Worden in Leyland.

[citation needed] Penwortham Hall, formerly called "The Lodge", was built in 1801 by John Horrocks, founder of the Preston cotton-manufacturing industry.

The Lower Penwortham area developed during the Victorian period which is evidenced by the large number of terrace housing along Leyland Road and the surrounding streets.

Penwortham Priory was built for the Rawsthorne family and redesigned by the Cumbrian architect George Webster.

[7] The original attempt to build a bridge over the River Ribble to Preston was completed in 1755, only to collapse the following year.

It includes a 25-metre indoor swimming pool, gym and squash courts which are open to the general public.

[9] In July 2021 the distillery partnered with the Ribble Rivers Trust so that every 70cl bottle of gin buys a tree sapling that is to be planted in the Lancashire area.

The longest running event, Penwortham Gala, is held annually on Hurst Grange Park, starting with a procession of floats that are filled with children from local primary schools and community organisations.

Live entertainment was available over the weekend throughout many local businesses, predominantly on the main high street, Liverpool Road.