Wigan, ENG - Postcode - WN8 9HE - Post Codes & Zip Codes List

Wigan, England

Located on the banks of the River Douglas, the large town of Wigan is part of Greater Manchester in England. Manchester is 16 miles (25.7 km) to the south-east, and Liverpool is 17 miles (27 km) to the south-west, making the town conveniently located between the two cities. Both Bolton and Warrington can be reached in under two hours by car from here. It is the most populous community in the Wigan Metropolitan Borough and the seat of local government. There are 107,732 people living in the town proper, with an additional 330,713 in the borough proper. As a town, Wigan was originally a part of Lancashire.

The Brigantes, an ancient Celtic tribe, controlled much of what is now northern England, including Wigan. Coccium, a Roman settlement, was established in the area now known as Wigan after the Brigantes were conquered during the Roman conquest of Britain.

It was in 1246 that King Henry III of England issued a charter establishing Wigan as a borough. It was one of four boroughs in Lancashire founded by royal charter at the end of the Middle Ages.

The population and economy both grew significantly as a result of the Industrial Revolution. At its height, Wigan was home to 1,000 pit shafts within five miles (eight kilometres) of the city centre, establishing itself as a major mill town and coal mining district. In the later part of the twentieth century, coal mining ended.

Wigan Pier, on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, gained notoriety thanks to George Orwell. The Road to Wigan Pier, written by Orwell in the 1930s, describes the dismal working and living conditions in the town. Warehouses and wharves at Wigan Pier became a local heritage centre and cultural quarter after the decline of heavy industry. Both Wigan Athletic and Wigan Warriors play their home games at the DW Stadium.

Geographical Description of Wigan

Wigan is located at 53°32′41′′N 2°37′54′′W (53.5448, 2.6318), roughly 12 miles (19 km) north of Warrington and 16 miles (26 km) west of Manchester's central business district.

The historic town of Wigan, along with the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan districts of Orrell and Ince-in-Makerfield, forms a tightly integrated conurbation, with ribbon development linking it to the nearby towns of Standish and Abram. The Office for National Statistics counts a total of 166,840 people in these locations and the nearby town of Skelmersdale in West Lancashire as part of the Wigan Urban Area. The city is included in the Greater Urban Area of Manchester.

Wigan Tourism

Wigan is a historic town located in Greater Manchester, England. It is known for its rich industrial heritage, cultural attractions, and sporting events.

Here's a guide to tourism in Wigan:

1. Cultural and Historical Attractions:

Trencherfield Mill Steam Engine: Visit Trencherfield Mill, home to one of the world's largest working steam engines. It offers a fascinating glimpse into Wigan's industrial history.

Wigan Pier: Although not an actual pier, Wigan Pier is a well-known landmark that has historical and cultural significance. It was made famous by writer George Orwell in his book "The Road to Wigan Pier."

Wigan War Memorial: Pay your respects at the Wigan War Memorial, a monument dedicated to the fallen soldiers of World War I and subsequent conflicts.

2. Wigan Town Center:

Shopping: Explore the town center for shopping, with a mix of high street stores, boutiques, and local shops.

Wigan Market: Wigan Market is one of the largest and busiest markets in the region, offering a wide range of goods, including fresh produce, clothing, and more.

Dining: Enjoy local and international cuisine at the town's restaurants, cafes, and pubs.

3. Nature and Outdoors:

Haigh Woodland Park: Haigh Woodland Park is a vast green space with woodlands, a mini golf course, a high ropes adventure course, and a miniature railway.

Mesnes Park: Relax in Mesnes Park, a Victorian park with a lake, ornamental gardens, and a playground.

Canal Walks: Wigan is known for its extensive canal network, providing opportunities for scenic walks and boat trips along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

4. Sporting and Entertainment Events:

DW Stadium: The DW Stadium is home to Wigan Athletic Football Club and Wigan Warriors Rugby League Club. Catch a match or event if you're a sports enthusiast.

Wigan Little Theatre: Enjoy a play or performance at the Wigan Little Theatre, a community venue hosting a variety of shows.

5. Wigan History Shop:

Visit the Wigan History Shop, where you can explore local history and access archives to learn more about the town's past.

6. Local Events:

Keep an eye on the local events calendar for cultural festivals, music concerts, and seasonal celebrations taking place in Wigan.

Wigan offers a blend of history, culture, shopping, and outdoor activities. Whether you're interested in exploring the town's industrial heritage, enjoying outdoor adventures, or experiencing its vibrant shopping and dining scene, Wigan provides a range of experiences for visitors in Greater Manchester, England.

Lancashire

Located in Northwest England, There are various county boundaries for ancient Lancashire, ceremonial Lancashire, and non-metropolitan Lancashire. Lancaster is the seat of county government there. The Lancashire County Council and its twelve sub-county councils are responsible for running the non-metropolitan county that was established by the Local Government Act of 1972. Preston serves as the city's administrative hub. The population of the ceremonial county is 1,449,300, and it covers an area of 1,189 square miles (3,080 km2).

The Furness and Cartmel peninsulas in the Lake District are part of the medieval County Palatine of Lancashire, which spans a territory of 1,909 square miles and contains the cities of Manchester and Liverpool (4,940 km2). Postal addresses in several of these areas still include "Lancashire," demonstrating a continued sense of place and pride in the county. The boundaries of the historic county were significantly redrawn in 1974 for administrative convenience. As a result, the metropolitan and ceremonial counties of Merseyside and Greater Manchester were established, and Liverpool and Manchester, along with most of its surrounding conurbations, were detached from the current ceremonial county. For the full citation, see: Along with Cumberland and Westmorland, Cumbria now includes the once separate northern part of Lancashire in the Lake District, which includes the Furness Peninsula and Cartmel. Although it gained territory from the West Riding of Yorkshire, administratively Lancashire lost 709 square miles of land, or approximately two fifths of its original area, to other counties. During the month of November, locals and visitors alike celebrate Lancashire Day to honor the county's rich history. 

Lancashire was first established in the 12th century, marking the beginning of the county's recorded history. In the 1086 Domesday Book, some of its territory was included with Yorkshire. Inter Ripam et Mersey, or the territory between the Ribble and the Mersey, was counted as part of Cheshire. During the early stages of the Industrial Revolution, Lancashire became an important economic and industrial hub. The docks and the cotton mills fueled the rapid expansion of Liverpool and Manchester, the country's two largest cities. These metropolises were the epicenters of early forms of industrial capitalism and global trade. The mill towns and collieries of the Lancashire Coalfield were located in this county. In the 1830s, Lancashire was responsible for processing roughly 85% of the world's cotton. During this time, a number of cities and towns rose to prominence as cotton mill hubs. During wakes week, Blackpool became a popular destination for those from Lancashire's mill towns.

The county is bounded on the north by Cumbria, the south by Greater Manchester and Merseyside, the east by North Yorkshire and the west by the Irish Sea. Lancaster continues to serve as the county town, and the Duke of Lancaster (the King) continues to have sovereignty rights including the appointment of lords lieutenant in Greater Manchester and Merseyside. The historic county's boundaries are identical to those of the county palatine

Geography

Burnley, Chorley, Fylde, Hyndburn, Lancaster, Pendle, Preston, Ribble Valley, Rossendale, South Ribble, West Lancashire, and Wyre are the local government districts that make up Lancashire, the shire county governed by the county council.

As unitary councils, Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen are autonomous from the county council.

Lancashire's shire county and its unitary authorities are both policed by the Lancashire Constabulary. The unitary authorities and ceremonial county share North West England boundaries with Cumbria, North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, and Merseyside.

Economy

In the nineteenth century, Lancashire was an important economic hub and, by extension, a wealthy region. Coal was mined, textiles were made, cotton in particular, and fish were caught. There is nothing going on at Preston Docks anymore, which used to be a busy industrial port. Barrow-in-Furness is well-known for its shipbuilding, and Lancashire is home to the historic port of Liverpool.

The defense industry, with BAE Systems' Military Air Solutions branch located in Warton on the Fylde coast, has been the largest private sector industry since 2013. A factory run by the division can be found in Samlesbury. Chorley's BAE Systems, Fulwood's Ultra Electronics, and Barnoldswick's Rolls-Royce plc are just a few of the local hotspots for the defense industry.

Springfields, Salwick, and Heysham are all nuclear power plants run by Westinghouse and British Energy, respectively. Leyland Trucks, a division of Paccar that manufactures the DAF truck line, is another important manufacturer.

England, UK Description

England is the UK's largest constituent unit, occupying more than half of the island. Despite its political, economic, and cultural legacy, England is no longer a governmental or political unit. 

With its rich soil and crisscrossing network of rivers and streams, England has been and remains a thriving agricultural economy. England became the epicenter of the global Industrial Revolution in the early 1800s, quickly rising to the top of the global industrialization rankings. Manufacturing industries in Manchester, Birmingham, and Liverpool turned raw materials into finished goods for export. London, the country's capital, became one of the world's most important cities, a hub for a global political economy. The London metropolitan area continues to be Europe's financial center and a hotbed of innovation, particularly in the fields of popular culture.

At the same time, the UK is a place with a very developed tourism industry. The culture and scenery of the UK attract a lot of tourists to come for vacation all year round. If you also want to travel to the UK or have been there and want to leave some traces of your visit, you can try to customize Custom Keyrings with a UK theme, such as the British flag, Buckingham Palace, etc.  Customized keychains can be carried with you and retain beautiful travel memories.

One of the most fundamental features of the English language is its diversity within a limited compass. Even England's most remote regions are accessible by car or train within a day's drive or train ride of London. Many English people identify with the regions or shires from which they are descended—for example, Yorkshire, the West Country, or the Midlands—and maintain strong ties to those regions even if they live in other parts of the country. Some differences exist, but many more, especially as England transitioned from a rural to an urban society, began to fade after 1945. The country's island location has shaped the English character, which values social harmony, social harmony, and good manners that ensure orderly relations in a densely populated landscape, among other characteristics.

During the dismantling of Britain's vast overseas empire in the mid-20th century, England suffered an identity crisis, and much attention has been paid to discussions of "Englishness"—that is, what it means to be English in a country that now has large immigrant populations from many former colonies and is far more cosmopolitan than insular. Although influenced by other cultures, English culture is distinct and difficult to define. The Lion and the Unicorn by George Orwell, a self-described "revolutionary patriot" who chronicled politics and society in the 1930s and 1940s, makes this observation. 

Geographical Description of England

Except for Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire in the east, England's topography is low-lying but rarely flat. The area has many rolling hillsides, with the highest elevations in the north, north-west, and southwest. Intricate underlying structures have resulted in intricate patterns in the landscape. The oldest sedimentary rocks and some igneous rocks (found in isolated granite hills) are found in Cornwall and Devon, while the most recent alluvial soils are found in the Fens of Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, and Norfolk. Both the sandstone and limestone bands that separate these two regions date from prehistoric times when large sections of central and southern England were submerged under warm seas. Geological forces lifted and folded some of these rocks, forming northern England's spine. Scafell Pike, England's highest point, stands at 3,210 feet (978 metres) and is part of the world's highest mountain range. The northern mountains are mostly slate, while the southern mountains are mostly lava flows. Mountain ranges have developed from the North Downs at 965 feet (294 meters) to the Cotswolds at 1,083 feet (330 meters).

The Chiltern Hills, North Yorkshire Moors, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire Wolds, and Yorkshire and Lincolnshire Wolds were rounded into distinctive plateaus with west-facing escarpments during the Pleistocene Epoch (about 2,600,000 to 11,700 years ago). A land bridge connecting Britain to the rest of Europe was engulfed as the last glacial sheet melted. The retreating glaciers left behind gravel, sand, and glacial mud, further altering the land surface. Rain, rivers, and tides, as well as subsidence, have shaped the hills and coastline of eastern England. Limestone, gritstone, and carboniferous strata plateaus are associated with major coalfields, some visible as surface outcrops.

A great example of England's geologic complexity is its cliff structure. The chalk cliffs of Dover are made up of a series of sedimentary rocks of varying ages that start at Land's End in the far southwest and end at the Isle of Wight. The English coastline is dotted with cliffs, bays, and river estuaries that add to the overall beauty of the landscape. 

England's weather is as varied as its topography. The average temperature in England, like other temperate maritime zones, is moderate, ranging from around 35 degrees Fahrenheit (2 degrees Celsius) in January to 72 degrees Fahrenheit (22 degrees Celsius) in July in the Thames river valley (32 degrees Celsius). Tacitus, the Roman historian, described it as "unpleasant" with "frequent rains and mists but no extreme cold." However, the higher elevations of England receive snow for roughly 50 days out of the year. In fact, the northwest and southwest of England are particularly "wet". These areas receive less than 30 inches (750 mm) of rain per year and are frequently subject to severe drought. Rainfall averages only 20 inches in parts of the southeast (500 mm). The weather has influenced English art and literature not only seasonally but also day-to-day and even hour-to-hour. The bumbershoot's moniker as the stereotypical English gentleman's walking stick is not accidental.

The Economy of England

In the 18th and 19th centuries, England's economy was primarily agricultural until the Industrial Revolution transformed it into a highly urbanized and industrialized region as a result of the Industrial Revolution. A result of the close proximity of coal and iron ore deposits, heavy industries (iron and steel, textiles, and shipbuilding) sprang up in the north-eastern counties, and they continue to thrive today. During the 1930s, the Great Depression and foreign competition both contributed to a decline in manufactured goods production and an increase in unemployment in the industrial north, which contributed to the Great Depression. Residents of these northern counties who were out of work were forced to relocate south to London and its environs. Because of urbanization and industrialization, the southeast has become dominated by industries such as automotive, chemical, electrical, and machine tool manufacturing. Despite the fact that population growth and urbanization significantly reduced farmland in England during the twentieth century, the geographical counties of Cornwall, Devon, Kent, Lincolnshire, Somerset, and North Yorkshire have retained a significant proportion of their agricultural land.

Another period of industrial decline occurred in the late twentieth century, during which coal mining was virtually phased out and job losses in industries such as iron and steel production, shipbuilding, and textile manufacturing were particularly severe. The decline of these industries had a disproportionately negative impact on the economies of the north and the Midlands, while the economies of the south remained relatively prosperous. By the turn of the twenty-first century, the service sector had taken over as the dominant sector of the English economy, with banking and other financial services, retail, distribution, media and entertainment, education, health care, and hotels and restaurants among the leading sectors.