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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   The area's numerous slag heaps have been been replaced by landscaping and green developments and the ancient town of Wigan now has many attractions.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 can still be visited but the tourist attraction itself is closed.

       Location Map of Wigan
What To See -

Wigan Tourist Attractions

 
Trencherfield Mill Engine

Every Sunday 11-00-11:45 and 13:00-13:45 Tel: 01942 828128

 
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


Macdonald Kilhey Court Hotel Chorley Road Standish Wigan WN1 2XN  MAP
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.

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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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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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Guest Houses Bed & Breakfasts Inns and Other Hotels


Lancashire Manor Hotel Prescott Road East Pimbo, Upholland near Wigan WN8 9PU  MAP
Originally built in the 16th century and extended into an Elizabethan manor, this hotel with old timbered ceilings offers functional, budget accommodation.

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Days Out in and around Wigan


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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Where To Stay

What To See

Around The Area
Featured Hotel
Premier Inn Haydock Park
Premier Inn Haydock Park
53 Warrington Road Ashton-in-Makerfield Wigan
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