Wigan is a town in Greater Manchester that overlooks the River Douglas. It’s located roughly eight miles from Bolton and 10 miles from Warrington. The town has a population of more than 10,000 and is the main administrative centre for the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan.
Wigan was originally part of the territory of Brigantes: an early Celtic tribe that ruled Northern England. In the years that followed, the town was incorporated as a borough in Lancashire.
By the time of the Industrial Revolution, Wigan experienced vast economic growth and a rise in population. It became known as both a coal mining district and mill town, recognised for its manufacturing of textiles.
Today, Wigan is lively and well-connected. The town has long been known for its music, evident in the number of alternative pubs and clubs dotted about its centre. Each year Wigan plays host to various gigs and festivals including the North by North Western festival.
It has a large shopping centre in the form of The Grand Arcade, and is home to many company headquarters, including food manufacturer, H.J. Heinz. The town boasts a number of listed buildings, and also has its generous array of green spaces.
Popular attractions include The Old Courts, Haigh Woodland Park and the famous Face of Wigan statue. Other sites worth seeing are Trencherfield Mill and Wigan Pier. If you’re into sport, check out the DW Stadium, and, for live productions, head to Wigan Little Theatre.
Wigan is easily reached and connects to a number of main roads and motorways. The town has two main train stations – Wigan North Western and Wigan Wallgate. The former offers services to London Euston, Birmingham, Lancaster and Edinburgh, and the latter has trains running to Southport and Kirby. Wigan also has its fair share of buses. The nearest airport to Wigan is Liverpool John Lennon Airport, at 25 miles away. The second closest airport is Manchester Airport, which offers a number of international and domestic flights.
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