Wigan offers several distinct ways to enjoy a stay: industrial and literary history, music and theatre, and activities by the water. You can choose which side interests you most by exploring the places and activities on offer. From a more than 100-year-old steam engine to Orwell’s research in a library and surfaced canal paths, there are a range of cultural and active highlights.

Industrial and Literary History

The steam engine at Trencherfield Mill was built more than 100 years ago and has been fully restored. It is one of the largest and best-functioning examples of its kind. For travellers interested in industrial heritage, it is a distinctive highlight, combining age with restored working condition.

Wigan Museum is housed in Wigan’s first public library, a building designed by Alfred Waterhouse. Here, the history of a public institution meets the architecture of the building. George Orwell carried out research in Wigan Museum’s reference library in 1936 for his book “The Road to Wigan Pier”. This research gives the museum a specific literary connection to Wigan.

These experiences are distinct: the steam engine represents technical industrial history, while the museum brings together library history, architecture and a literary connection. You can choose between a technical object and an architectural and literary highlight.

Park, Market and Stage

Mesnes Park opened in 1878, and music events are held at its bandstand throughout the year. The park’s history and a recurring programme of music go hand in hand. For specific event dates, it is worth checking the current calendar.

Wigan has had a market since 1246. Wigan Little Theatre stages dramas, comedies, musicals and pantomimes. The market and the stage offer different cultural highlights: one foregrounds a long market tradition, the other a theatre programme spanning several genres. If you would like to plan a performance into your visit, check the theatre’s current schedule.

By the Leeds and Liverpool Canal

The towpath of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal runs through Wigan and Greenheart. This surfaced route is suitable for walking, jogging, cycling and horse riding. It offers an active option alongside the cultural highlights and is not limited to a single type of activity.

A branch of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal runs from Wigan Town Centre through Haigh Plantations. The waterway offers a varied mix of popular natural and industrial heritage sites in Wigan. The towpath is notable above all as a route for several types of use; the branch canal is defined by its route from Wigan Town Centre through Haigh Plantations. This gives you a choice between a variety of activities and a specific connection to place. The waterway also offers a thematic way to explore natural and industrial heritage.

Discover more destinations: Hyde, Cheadle Hulme, Cheadle, Shevington, Farnworth, Bolton, Stretford, Bramhall

For the wider travel overview: Greater Manchester.