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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The area's numerous slag heaps have been been replaced by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 can still be visited
but the tourist attraction itself is closed.
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Location
Map of Wigan |
What
To See -
Wigan Tourist Attractions
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 Trencherfield
Mill Engine |
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Every
Sunday 11-00-11:45 and 13:00-13:45
Tel: 01942 828128
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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 |
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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Chorley Road Standish Wigan WN1 2XN
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4 star Victorian Hotel set in 10 acres of landscaped gardens. 62 rooms, award winning laureate restaurant, bar, heated swimming pool, sauna, spa gym and meeting/conference rooms.
More... |
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River Way Wigan WN1 3SS
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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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Warrington Road Wigan WN3 4NJ
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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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Guest
Houses Bed & Breakfasts Inns and Other Hotels
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Prescott Road East Pimbo, Upholland near Wigan WN8 9PU
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Originally built in the 16th century and extended into an Elizabethan manor, this hotel with old timbered ceilings offers functional, budget accommodation.
More Information...
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Days Out in and around Wigan
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Towns near Wigan To Visit - straight line distance:
St Helens Tourist Information (7.72 miles) Bolton Tourist Information (8.46 miles) Ormskirk Tourist Information (10.60 miles) Prescot Tourist Information (10.79 miles) |
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