Warrington Tourist Information

The industrial town of Warrington stands on the River Mersey between Liverpool and Manchester, and is an interesting place to visit, a mix of new and industrial heritage.

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 opened 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.

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.

A short distance south-west of Walton Hall lies the village of Daresbury, birthplace of Lewis Carroll.

Warrington has a Tourist Information Centre