Wigan formerly Wygayn is a large historical town within the metropolitan county of Greater Manchester, North West Region, England, United Kingdom. It lies on the west of the centre of the city of Manchester and north of Warrington. Its earliest known history dates back the pre-Roman times and used to serve as home to the Celtic tribe called The Brigantes. The town is immensely popular for its cultural heritage, leisure facilities as well as for being home to both the Wigan Athletic Football Club and the Wigan Warriors Rugby League Football Club. The area also gained so much popularity for being featured on several works of art e.g. George Orwell's "The Road to Wigan Pier" book.
Visitors with private vehicles may take the prime roads A49, A577, M6, M58 and M61 to reach the town. Bolton, Hindley, Liverpool, Manchester, Saint Helens and Warrington are the nearest places from the area. Click here to get information on Wigan's available parking spaces.
Grand Arcade was the world's first carbon-neutral shopping centre. With over 40 shops, a cafe and plenty of parking the Grand Arcade is a popular retail location.
Haigh Hall and Country Park is located within Haigh Country Park, Wigan, England, United Kingdom. The mansion and its beautiful grounds dates back the mid of 19th century and was the ancestral home of the Earl of Crawford and Balcarres before it was sold to the Wigan Council sometime in 1947. The venue today is open for visitors and serves as one of the wonderful examples of England's stately homes.
Hindley Museum boasts large number of artifacts, antiques, documents and photographs that tell about the long and colorful history of the town and region that it is located. The museum lies along the Market Street in Hindley, Wigan, England, United Kingdom. Its displays are arranged in a wonderful manner that makes it visitors have an easy and fun time exploring and or learning the past.
Mab's Cross refers to the stone cross within the town of Wigan with history that goes way back the 13th century. The meaning of the cross to Wigan visitors is connected to a legend that has been proved and dismissed several times through a number of documents. The most famous legend related to it states that Sir William Bradshaw was sent on a crusade and failed to return for a long period of time making his wife thought that he was already dead and remarried a knight. Upon his arrival, Sir William Bradshaw murdered his wife's new husband and punished her via walking around the town on bare foot from his stately home up until the Mab's Cross.
