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 Wigan
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The Metropolitan Borough of Wigan
lies to the extreme west of Manchester.
Wigan has long been known as
a coal producing area. The first coal mine was established
here in 1450 and at its peak there were 1000 pit shafts within
5 miles of Wigan town centre.
During the Industrial Revolution
Wigan's excellent canal network resulted in a dramatic economic
expansion in the area and a rapid rise in the population.
Wigan Pier, a major trading stop
on the Leeds-Liverpool canal, was made famous by the writer
George Orwell. In his book, 'The Road to Wigan Pier',
Orwell highlighted the terrible working and living conditions
of the local coal miners during the 1930s.
Today all the coal mines
have gone and in the past few years the 2000 acres of dereliction
they created has been cleared and redeveloped.
The area's numerous slag heaps have been been replaced by
landscaping and green developments and the ancient town of
Wigan now has many attractions.
Wigan Pier's collection of warehouses
and wharfs has become a major tourist attraction.Highlights
of the Wigan Pier site include the Wigan Heritage Centre,
canal boat rides and displays of old trades such as clog making.
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Location
Map of Wigan |
What
To See -
Wigan Tourist Attractions
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 The
Wigan Pier Experience ,
Wallgate, Wigan WN3 4EU |
on A49 south
of Wigan town centre, immortalised in George Orwell's, 'The
Road to Wigan Pier', which described the awful living and
working conditions of coal miners in the 1930s. The 'The Way
We Were' exhibition features a re-creation of way of life for
the local population in the 1900s, including a school room with
actors in period costume. Displays of trades, such as clog-making
and textiles, and waterbus trips on the canal. The site also
has the Trencherfield Mill Engine, the world's largest original
working steam mill engine. Its 70 tonne flywheel powered 5 floors
of the Trencherfiled Mill. Now restored to its former glory
it can be seen in steam and running on a daily basis. Audio/visual
presentation on the life of the engine from 1907 to the present
day.
Open: Mon-Thur 10:00-17:00; Sun 11:00-17:00. (Closed
Fri and Sat plus 25/26 Dec and 1 Jan) Tel: 01942 323666.
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tickets include The Way We Were, Trencherfield Mill Engine and
Waterbus transportation). |
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Turnpike
Gallery,
Civic Square, Leigh, Wigan, WN7 1EB |
in the Turnpike
Centre next to Leigh town hall. Exhibitions are mounted here
and there are artists in residence who talk about their work.
Open: Mon, Thur and Fri: 9:30-18:30; Tue 10:00-17:30;
Wed 9:30-17:00, Sat10:00-15:00 Tel: 01942 404 469 |
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Astley
Green Colliery Museum, Higher Green Lane, Astley, near
Tyldesley, Wigan M29 7JB |
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a fully operational coal mine until
its closure in 1970, Astley Green Colliery has been restored
as a working museum.In the 1950s the colliery had 2 shafts and
14 underground levels worked by over 2100 employees. By 1970
the mine was forced to close. Today the pit has the only surviving
headgear and engine house in Lancashire. In the engine house
visitors can see the (reputedly) largest steam winding engine
in Europe. The museum has displays of industrial mining and
related artifacts. Open: Sun 12:00-17:00, Tue and Thur
13:00-17:00 (Closed 25/26 Dec) Tel: 01942 828121.
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Haydock
Park Racecourse,
Lodge Lane, Newton-le-Willows, WA12 0HQ |
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in a rural
location near Wigan, this famous National Hunt and flat racing
course is in easy travelling distance of the main cities of
the North West. Tel: 01942 725 963 for meeting details.
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Haigh
Hall Country Park,
Haigh, WN2 1PE |
just north
of Wigan, 250 acres with views to the Welsh Hills. The Hall
dates back to 1850 and is open to the public. Woodland walks,
nature trails, Butterfly Safari, narrow-gauge steam railway,
model village and playground. Golf ranges,Mini Golf and Crazy
Golf greens. Stables Art and Craft Gallery, where resident artists
help visitors discover their talents and Craft Fairs are held
here on Sunday.
Open: Mon-Fri: 10:00-16:00, Sat-Sun: 10:00-17:00 Tel:
01942 832895. Park Craft Gallery and playground free, entrance
fee to Hall, golf, mini zoo, nature trail and model village.
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Pennington
Flash Country Park,
St Helens Road, Leigh |
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1100 acre
country park centred around the 'Flash', a lake created at the
turn of the 20th century by mining subsidence and flooding.
The park is one of the premier birdspotting areas, including
nightingales, marsh harriers and spoonbills. Bird-hides around
smaller ponds and paths for walking, cycling and horseriding.
It is also a watersports facility, offering sailing, rowing
and windsurfing (through the Leigh and Lowton Sailing Club)
and fishing throughout the season. Facilities include a nine-hole
golf course, play areas and picnic areas. Open: all year
Tel: 01942 605253 |
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Three
Sisters Recreation Area, Three
Sisters Road, off Lockett Road, Bryn, Ashton-in-Makerfield,
WN4 8DD |
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created
from three colliery spoil heaps. Ideal for long walks with
woodlands, ponds and fields down to the Wigan Flashes, a nature
reserve. Day tickets for sailing model boats and for canoeing.
Coarse fishing is permitted by day ticket. Paths for walking,
cycling and horseriding. A woodland feeding station gives visitors
a view of birds. Popular motor sports arena run by the Aintree
Racing Drivers School (Tel: 01942 270230 for details). Open:
all year Tel: 01942 720453 |
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Worthington
Lakes,
Chorley Road, Standish, WN1 2XN |
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woodlands
surround three reservoirs with paths and picnic sites and access
to the Red Rock cycle and bridleway. Small nature reserve and
Visitor Centre. Fishing. No dogs. Open: all year.
Tel: 01257 425550 |
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Where
To Stay in Wigan
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Price Guide shown for a room for 2 people per night is based on the lowest price per person per night available in the future
Price Guide: from £100 per room
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Chorley Road Standish Wigan WN1 2XN MAP
A striking Victorian style hotel, the Kilhey Court stands in beautiful surroundings, ideally located for all North West attractions. Kilhey's Health and Leisure Club now offers the best high - technology gym and aerobics studio in the area with ...
More... |
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Price based on cheapest room for 2 people per night available in next few days
Prices from: £39 a room a LivePriceTM
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Almond Brook Road Standish Wigan WN6 0SR MAP
This attractive modern hotel is located just off Junction 27 of the M6.
More... |
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Price based on cheapest room for 2 people per night available in next few days
Prices from: £85 a room a LivePriceTM
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Warrington Road Wigan WN3 4NJ MAP
A family run hotel. Approximately one mile from town centre on good regular bus route. Within easy reach of Haydock Racecourse, Three Sisters, JJB Stadium and Robin Park Sports complex.
More... |
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Price based on cheapest room for 2 people per night available in next few days
Prices from: £55 a room a LivePriceTM
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River Way Wigan WN1 3SS MAP
Ideally situated in the town centre yet set in its own landscaped gardens. Modern friendly hotel with quality double bedded rooms.
More... |
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Price based on cheapest room for 2 people per night available in next few days
Prices from: £75 a room a LivePriceTM
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Lafford Lane Upholland near Wigan WN8 0QZ MAP
Holland Hall Country House Hotel is a stunning grade 2 17th century listed building. The hotel is privately owned and has recently undergone a massive 750,000 GBP redevelopment.
More... |
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Price Guide shown for a room for 2 people per night is based on the lowest price per person per night available in the future
Price Guide: from £49 per room
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Almond Brook Road Standish Wigan WN6 0SR MAP
Situated in the heart of Lancashire, this charming hotel puts you within easy reach of some great local attractions such as Wigan Pier, Blackpool Illuminations, Camelot Theme Park, Martin Mere, Southport and the Lake District. The Britannia ...
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Platt Lane Standish Wigan WN1 2XF MAP
A traditional English country inn.A pleasant rural location but only minutes from major motorways.All rooms recently refurbished with stunning counrtyside views. We have an extensive menu of freshly prepared dishes.
More... |
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Around
The Wigan Area
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Tourist Information on Nearby Towns To Visit - straight line distance:
St Helens (7.72 miles) Bolton (8.46 miles) Ormskirk (10.60 miles) Prescot (10.79 miles) Warrington (11.06 miles) Kirby (11.60 miles) Huyton (12.83 miles) Widnes (13.01 miles) Maghull (13.21 miles) Bury (13.98 miles) Daresbury (14.23 miles) |
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Our
Hotel Booking Line
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Call
0870 4786316
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