Wigan - Gateway to the North of England

The town of Wigan in Greater Manchester is one of the most interesting and historic places in the Northwest of England. It was at the center of the Industrial Revolution in the nineteenth century, and to this day the skyline of the town is punctuated by the large mills that were operated in the town until comparatively recently.

The late twentieth century was not kind to Wigan, aside from the declining fortune of the cotton trade thanks to increased competition from overseas, the town was blighted with poor architecture that took away all of the red brick charm that it had once had, and turned it into a place with all the warmth of Colditz.

Luckily, Wigan has rebounded significantly in recent years, with a number of new buildings being completed, and the opening of the Grand Central Shopping Mall, which has brought a new lease of life to the town center, and encouraged shoppers to return. The revamped down town area has also led to many new bars and clubs opening, and these have given Wigan a reputation for being a good place to enjoy an evening out.

One of the main benefits that Wigan has is its location. The town is located within twenty minutes of Manchester by Train, and an hour to the north, visitors have access to the stunning Lake District.

The town has a rich sporting tradition, and is home to the most successful Rugby League team in the world -- Wigan Warriors, and also to Wigan Athletic, an English Premiership football team that is one of the longest established sides in the country, and enjoyed a fair amount of success until the 1950s.

Just outside Wigan, Haigh Hall Park is a lovely landscaped area that offers plenty of peace and quiet, and during the summer there are regular concerts in the grounds of this beautiful stately home that was once owned by a local industrialist. The park is home to a large number of animals and has an arts center that provides daytime activities for local children during the summer months. In winter, when the snow blankets the town, Haigh Hall Park is a popular place to go sledging and is very picturesque.