The village was once a detached settlement lying on the western edge of Martin Mere, but after the drainage of the Mere and the expansion of Southport, it had become absorbed into the town’s conurbation.

Sited as it was on the shore of Martin Mere and at the seaward end of Crossens Sluice, Crossens formed the basis of a substantial fishing industry.

After Martin Mere was largely reclaimed for farmland, the focus increasingly turned to agriculture, and to this day the high- quality soil supports several flower and vegetable farms. It was once home to famous local factories including Vulcan, Brockhouses and Philips, but the land has since given way to new housing.