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The industrial
town of Warrington stands on the River Mersey between
Liverpool and Manchester.
Once
in Lancashire, Warrington became part of Cheshire in 1974
following local goverment reorganisation.
Warrington
was founded by the Romans at an important crossing place on
the River Mersey. A new settlement was established by the
Saxons and by medieval times the small market town was a vital
bridging point.
Warrington's
industrial tradition dates from the medieval period, when
the town was known for the production of textiles and tools.
Industryial expansion took place after the Mersey was made
navigable in the 18th century and the Manchester Ship Canal
opened in 1894.
The town
developed as an important centre for steel (, textiles, brewing,
engineering, tanning and chemicals.
During
World War II Warrington was well-known as the location of
RAF Burtonwood, probably the largest military base in Europe.
In 1967 the base, to the north west of the town, was taken
over by the US army but finally closed in 1993.
Warrington
was created a New Town in 1968 and, although heavy industry
declined it developed light industry, distribution and technology.
In 1993
the IRA exploded two bombs in Warrington town centre killing
two children In 2000, on the 7th anniversary of the bombing,
the Peace Centre opoened in Warrington as part of campaign
to reconcile communities in conflict.
Warrington
is now the largest town in Cheshire and has a new cultural
centre, known as Palmyra Square, in the town.
Warrington's
facilities include a concert hall (the Parr Hall), a new arts
centre (the Pyramid), a museum and art gallery. The town
also has a 10-screen multiplex cinema.
The centre
of Warrington has been modernised and has one the most popular
shopping areas in the North-West, with several shopping malls
and a large indoor market.
At the
junction of the town's four main shopping streets stands a
large fountain and sculptures, created by the American artist
and sculptor, Howard Ben Tré,, known locally as 'the skittles'.
Gemini
Retail Park, a large out-of-town shopping centre, was chosen
by IKEA as the site of its first UK store.
Warrington's
splendid town hall, acquired in the 1870's, was originally
a private residence. Built in 1750, by the Scottish architect,
James Gibbs, the house has magnificent golden gates. The
parkland surrounding the Town Hall was Warrington's first
public park.
Another
feature of the town is the Warrington Transporter Bridge. This
Grade II listed building was constructed in 1916 to connect
two parts of the large factory of Messers Joseph Crosfield
& Son Ltd.
Three
miles south-west of Warrington town centre lie the Walton
Hall Gardens. Originally part of a much larger estate owned
by the Greenall family, who made their mark in the brewing
industry, the house and grounds were purchased by Warrington
Council in 1941. The major part became the Walton Golf Club
and the rest was opened as a public park in 1945.
Walton
Hall is an Elizabethan-style house, built in the 1830s by
Edmund Sharpe of Lancaster. Today the house is used for civil
ceremonies and conferences and is not open to the public.
Highlights
of Walton Hall Gardens include parkland, lawns and ornamental
gardens. The site has lots of wildlife and there are waymarked
paths leading to beauty spots, such as the Bridgewater Canal,
Appleton Reservoir and High Cliffe.
A short
distance south-west of Walton Hall lies the village of Daresbury,
birthplace of Lewis Carroll.
The popular
attraction Gulliver's World theme park is situated at Old
Hall, two miles north of Warrington town centre, set in attractive
parkland surrounding a beautiful lake.
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Warrington
Walton Hall Gardens Walton Lea Road, Higher Walton, Warrington WA4 6SN
