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WiganWigan

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   The area's numerous slag heaps have been been replaced by landscaping and green developments and the ancient town of Wigan now has many attractions.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.      

       Location Map of Wigan
What To See -

Wigan Tourist Attractions

 
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.
Admission Charge(Site tickets include The Way We Were, Trencherfield Mill Engine and Waterbus transportation).
 
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
 
Astley Green Colliery Museum,  Higher Green Lane, Astley, near Tyldesley, Wigan M29 7JB 
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. 
 
Haydock Park Racecourse,  Lodge Lane, Newton-le-Willows, WA12 0HQ
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. Admission Charge
 
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. 
 
Pennington Flash Country Park,  St Helens Road, Leigh
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
 
Three Sisters Recreation Area, Three Sisters Road, off Lockett Road, Bryn, Ashton-in-Makerfield, WN4 8DD
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
 
Worthington Lakes, Chorley Road, Standish, WN1 2XN
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
 

Where To Stay in Wigan

Call our Hotel Telephone Reservations Line: 0870 4786316

Hotels


? 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
Macdonald Kilhey Court 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 ...

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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
Britannia Hotel Wigan Almond Brook Road Standish Wigan WN6 0SR MAP
This attractive modern hotel is located just off Junction 27 of the M6.

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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
Coaching Inn Hotel 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.

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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
Quality Hotel Wigan 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.

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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
Holland Hall Hotel 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.

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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
Wigan/Standish Moat House 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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The Crown at Worthington 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.

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Around The Wigan Area


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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What To See

Around The Area
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