St Marks from Lymm Dam

Lymm Dam was built in 1824 - when a turnpike road was created from Warrington to Stockport. In the early 19th century, the Warrington and Stockport Turnpike Trust constructed the road which became the present day A56. There was concern over traffic congestion as local opposition prevented the road from coming through the centre of the village. The Trust then had to find a substitute and they chose to cross what was then 'a pool and stream' in the valley below St Mary's Church. In order to do this, an earth dam was constructed across the valley in 1824.

After its completion, the pool and stream below the church became the lake, which we now call Lymm Dam. A toll bar was situated on the church slope and for some locals this section of the road is still sometimes referred to as 'Penny Hill'. At the time of Lymm Dam's creation, the area was part of Lymm Hall Estate, which owned much of the village at that time.