Wigan, Greater Manchester – Quick Guide

With around 300,000 residents the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan has the second largest population of all of the Metropolitan areas of Greater Manchester.

Only the City of Manchester has a larger population. Wigan is located north west of Manchester and has good road and rail links with the city.

Wigan is one of only two Boroughs that do not share a border with the City of Manchester, the other being the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton.

The town of Wigan is the largest town in the area and is home to just over 80,000 people. The other towns in the area include Abram, Ashton, Aspull, Astley, Atherton, Billinge, Bryn, Golborne, Hindley, Ince-in-Makerfield, Leigh, Lowton, Orrell, Shevington, Skelmersdale, Standish, Tyldesley and Winstanley.

Wigan is redeveloping some of its most important historical tourist attractions. As part of this work the world famous Wigan Pier heritage attraction has closed.

Plans are underway for the development of a new arts and heritage learning centre in the Wigan Pier Quarter.

Other Wigan attractions include Haigh Hall and country park, and The History Shop, in Wigan. The History Shop, in Library Street, Wigan is located in a building designed by Alfred Waterhouse in 1878 as a public library. It is now home to Wigan Heritage Services, with exhibitions, local history research facilities and a fine art collection.

Other places of interest include Uncle Joe’s Mint Balls Factory, manufacturer of traditional English confectionery, at The Toffee Works, Dorning Street, Wigan, Wigan’s War Memorial, Mab’s Cross and Mesnes Park.

Wigan’s 25,000-seat JJB Stadium is located in the Robin Park Complex in Newtown, Wigan. It was opened in 1999. It is home to two teams – Wigan Warriors Rugby League Football Club and Wigan Athletic Football Club.