River Douglas at Wigan by munki-boy

Wigan

Wigan, a significant town situated in Greater Manchester, England, stands as a testament to a rich industrial past and a heritage that dates back to the Roman times. Historically part of Lancashire, the town expanded drastically during the Industrial Revolution, particularly due to its coal mining and textile manufacturing industries. The remnants of this era, including the impressive Wigan Pier, a wharf on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, serve as stark reminders of the town’s vibrant history. Today, Wigan Pier has evolved, no longer bustling with industrial activity, but an emblematic site featuring a mixture of residential, cultural, and leisure spaces.

The town of Wigan is not only known for its industrial endeavours but also for its significant contributions to music and sports. It is home to the World Pie Eating Championship, which whimsically nods to the local affection for pies, and the town’s inhabitants are colloquially known as “pie-eaters”, a nickname that historically stems from a miners’ strike in the 1920s. In music, Wigan’s Northern Soul scene, particularly at the famous Wigan Casino, was a significant cultural phenomenon in the 1970s. The Casino, an iconic nightclub, attracted scores of enthusiasts to its regular all-nighters, putting Wigan on the map of Britain’s music scene.

Sports also play a considerable role in Wigan’s cultural identity. The town is home to the Wigan Warriors, one of the most successful Rugby League clubs in the UK, and Wigan Athletic, a professional football club. The devotion to these teams is palpable, with local support permeating everyday life and contributing to the town’s unique character.

Moreover, Wigan offers a blend of urban and natural spaces. The town centre is a bustling hub with an array of shops, traditional pubs, and eateries, while on the outskirts, you’ll find beautiful green spaces and country parks, such as Haigh Woodland Park, offering residents and visitors a respite from urban life. The town continues to evolve, balancing its industrial past with modern developments, all while maintaining a strong sense of local identity and community spirit.

Created: 5 January 2019 Edited: 5 January 2024

Wigan

Atherton

Atherton is a town located in the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan, in Greater Manchester,.

Bamfurlong

Bamfurlong is a small village located in the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan in Greater Manchester, England.

Croshaw Wood

A small woodland area around the River Douglas near Adlington.

Fairy Glen

A small stretch of woodland along the Sprodley Brook as it passes through a rocky ravine of old, disused quarries.

Haigh Country Park

A mostly woodland country park based around the old estate of Haigh Hall in Wigan

Haigh Hall

A former family home of the Lindsay family now a hotel surrounded by public gardens and parkland

Haigh Windmill

A mid-nineteenth Century wind-pump that looks like a miniature windmill near Haigh in Wigan

Hindley Green

Kirkless Wood

A post-industrial woodland area dominated by a huge spoil heap now appearing as a wooded hill.

Lady Mabel's Wood

A fairly recent woodland area close to the Haigh plantations and part of the Red Rose forest.

Parbold

Pennington Flash

A nature reserve in Wigan based around the lake of Pennington Flash and surrounding woodland.

Red Rock

A rural area of Wigan popular for it's canalside walks, interesting, disused railway lines and woodland.

Shevington

A village in and parish of Wigan in Greater Manchester.

Standish

Standish is a charming town situated in the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan, in Greater Manchester, England.

The Old Whelley Line

A disused railway line passing through the Whelley area of Wigan that is now used as a recreational footpath and in places cycle route.

Top Lock at Wigan

Tyldesley

Tyldesley, a town nestled in the metropolitan borough of Wigan, Greater Manchester, England.

Whelley

An area of Wigan, once site of one of the shortest-lived railway stations in Britain

Wigan Flashes Local Nature Reserve

The Wigan Flashes Local Nature Reserve is managed by a partnership between Wigan Council and The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside as part of a wider initiative called Greenheart.

Wigan Golf Club

Golf club with an interesting, moated club house formerly Arley Hall.