Wigan
Explore hidden histories, historic photos, and things you never knew about Wigan from the collections and archives of Historic England.
Discover your local listed buildings and places
Introducing some of Wigan's most historic sites, included in the National Heritage List for England. Some of these captions have been summarised by AI. Click through for the official List entry.
Deep Pit railway footbridge WBS/24, including brick piers…
Hindley
A railway pedestrian overbridge of 1887, probably designed by Augustus Topp for the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway, and made by Walker Brothers in wrought and cast iron, with...
Church of St Thomas
Leigh
A large Anglican church of 1902-10 by Richard Bassnett Preston of Preston and Vaughan, in Accrington brick with Runcorn red sandstone dressings, with later fittings designed by Sir Charles...
Former Gidlow Mill
Wigan
An integrated cotton spinning and weaving mill of 1866 to 1868, with late-C19 additions, comprising spinning and weaving blocks, a reservoir with an oversailing vaulted structure, a railway...
Swan Meadow works western mill number 3, Eckersley Mills
Wigan
A cotton spinning mill (part of an integrated complex) with attached boiler and dynamo house, chimney and engine house, of 1900 by AH Stott and Sons in an Italianate style of red brick with...
St Jude's Roman Catholic Church
Wigan
Roman Catholic Church. 1964-5 by L A G Prichard & Son. Reinforced concrete frame, pinkish bricks. Dalle de verre glass by Robin Riley. Mosaic crucifixion by Hans Unger and Eberhard Schulze.
Carnegie Library
Ashton-in-Makerfield
A former lecture hall and library, now a library, built in 1905-6 to a design by the architects J B & W Thornley and funded by the benefactor Andrew Carnegie.
Arcade Building on King Street (formerly listed as Grimes…
Wigan
An office building incorporating a bank and shopping arcade, of 1871 by Richardson Thomas Johnson for Richard Leigh, with some alterations. Read the official list entry to find out more.
Mesnes Park
Wigan
Mesnes Park, opened in 1878, features diverse landscapes, including a lake, bandstand, and pavilion, reflecting its historical development and cultural significance in Wigan.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Atherton
Catholic church, 1869, with near -contemporary extension and C20 alterations, by architect Edmund Kirby of Birkenhead.
Morley's Hall moated site
Wigan
Morley's Hall moated site exemplifies a medieval mansion house with preserved organic material in its moat, highlighting wealth distribution and status symbols in medieval England.
St Marie of the Annunciation War Memorial Cross
Standish
First World War memorial with later additions for the Second World War. Read the official list entry to find out more.
Standish Pillar War Memorial
Standish
First World War memorial, 1920, with later additions for the Second World War. Read the official list entry to find out more.
Hesketh Arms Public House and Adjacent Mounting Block
Shevington
Public House. C18 with early-C19 assembly room, later-C19 and early-C20 extensions. Millstone grit with ashlar dressings, stone slate roofs with partial slate roof to rear elevation.
Swan Meadow works western mill number 2, Eckersley Mills
Wigan
A cotton spinning mill (part of an integrated complex) of 1888 by AH Stott of Stott and Sons in an Italianate style of red brick with buff sandstone dressings, for ffarington Eckersley and...
Swan Meadow works welfare building, Eckersley Mills
Wigan
A workers' welfare building to a large integrated cotton manufacturing complex, of around 1918, of red brick with buff terracotta dressings in a neo-Classical style probably by Stott and...
Swan Meadow works office and winding block, Eckersley Mills
Wigan
A gatehouse and office block of 1904 and winding block of 1912, to an integrated cotton manufacturing complex, of red brick and terracotta in Edwardian Baroque style probably by Stott and...
Wigan through time
This timeline shows the first period of use for buildings and places on the National Heritage List for England, just one of the details recorded for every list entry. Click around to see how Wigan changes over time.
Roman AD 43 to AD 410
Britain was invaded by four legions of the Roman army in AD 43, who relatively rapidly conquered England from landing points in Kent. Parts of Wales and Scotland soon followed.
Roman culture brought urbanism, monumental buildings, wide-ranging religious beliefs, writing, and strong social hierarchy. The Roman administrative system was withdrawn in AD 410.
Early medieval AD 410 to AD 1066
This period, often associated in England with Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, saw a reduction in urban living from the Roman period and increased migration from northern Europe.
Traces of this period can be found in cemeteries, particularly in artefacts and in some of the very early churches, as this period also saw the growth of Christianity in Britain.
Medieval AD 1066 to AD 1540
This period, sometimes known as the Middle Ages, began with the Norman invasion in AD 1066. It saw a significant rise in military and defensive buildings such as castles and earthworks, as well as religious houses dominating a largely agricultural landscape.
The monarchy and Church dominated the period, which also saw the break with the Roman Catholic Church and the English reformation.
Post medieval AD 1540 to AD 1901
The Post-Medieval period brought seismic changes to life in England, with religious reformation leading to the democratization of worship and the destruction of hundreds of religious houses.
In parallel, there was a huge expansion of scientific study and enlightenment that permanently altered the nation's social structure and landscape. Industrialization and mass production lead to wider global trade, emigration, and immigration.
20th century AD 1901 to AD 2000
The 20th century saw an incredible expansion of England's transport networks, with suburban growth shadowing rapid infrastructural expansion. The establishment of state schools, hospitals, and modern technical colleges, with new architectural styles, radically changed the appearance of towns and cities.
Two catastrophic world wars and the 1918 pandemic also brought unprecedented change, altering England's built environment and social structures forever.
Roman AD 43 to AD 410
Britain was invaded by four legions of the Roman army in AD 43, who relatively rapidly conquered England from landing points in Kent. Parts of Wales and Scotland soon followed.
Roman culture brought urbanism, monumental buildings, wide-ranging religious beliefs, writing, and strong social hierarchy. The Roman administrative system was withdrawn in AD 410.
Early medieval AD 410 to AD 1066
This period, often associated in England with Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, saw a reduction in urban living from the Roman period and increased migration from northern Europe.
Traces of this period can be found in cemeteries, particularly in artefacts and in some of the very early churches, as this period also saw the growth of Christianity in Britain.
Medieval AD 1066 to AD 1540
This period, sometimes known as the Middle Ages, began with the Norman invasion in AD 1066. It saw a significant rise in military and defensive buildings such as castles and earthworks, as well as religious houses dominating a largely agricultural landscape.
The monarchy and Church dominated the period, which also saw the break with the Roman Catholic Church and the English reformation.
Post medieval AD 1540 to AD 1901
The Post-Medieval period brought seismic changes to life in England, with religious reformation leading to the democratization of worship and the destruction of hundreds of religious houses.
In parallel, there was a huge expansion of scientific study and enlightenment that permanently altered the nation's social structure and landscape. Industrialization and mass production lead to wider global trade, emigration, and immigration.
20th century AD 1901 to AD 2000
The 20th century saw an incredible expansion of England's transport networks, with suburban growth shadowing rapid infrastructural expansion. The establishment of state schools, hospitals, and modern technical colleges, with new architectural styles, radically changed the appearance of towns and cities.
Two catastrophic world wars and the 1918 pandemic also brought unprecedented change, altering England's built environment and social structures forever.
Aerial photos of Wigan
Aerial photography helps reveal secrets of England's changing landscapes that are impossible to see from the ground.
Leigh
The King Street Methodist Church and surroundings, Leigh, 1929
Leigh
King Street, Bradshawgate and the town centre, Leigh, 1937
Wigan
Trencherfield Mills, Wigan, 1920
Wigan
The Western, Trencherfield and the Swan Meadow Cotton Mills, Wigan, 1949
Lowton
The Sovereign Confectionery Mills, Lowton, 1934
Lowton
The Sovereign Confectionery Mills, Lowton, 1934
Marsland Green
Morley Bridge under construction, Marsland Green, 1931
Town Lane
The East Lancashire Road (A580) and Morley's Bridge under construction crossing the Bridgewater Canal, Town Lane, 1932
Ashton-In-Makerfield
The Makerfield Cotton Weaving Mill and the town, Ashton-in-Makerfield, 1946
Ashton-In-Makerfield
The Makerfield Cotton Weaving Mill, Ashton-in-Makerfield, 1946
Wigan in the Historic England Archive
The Historic England Archive cares for over 15 million images, dating from the 1850s to the present day. Discover stunning images of Wigan's past.
London, Midland and Scottish Railway Company
Wigan
Date created: 1925
A photograph of the painting 'Early Morning - Wigan Pier' by Thomas Ramsden
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Wigan
Date created: 1910 - 1917
GENERAL VIEW ACROSS LAKE
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Wigan
Date created: 1900 - 1930
GENERAL VIEW WITH LAKE IN THE FOREGROUND
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Wigan
Date created: 1900 - 1903
GENERAL VIEW ACROSS LAKE
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Wigan
Date created: 1900 - 1908
GENERAL VIEW
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Wigan
Date created: 01 Jan 1923 - 30 Aug 1928
GENERAL VIEW LOOKING TOWARDS THE FOUNTAIN
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Wigan
Date created: 1927 - 1932
GENERAL VIEW LOOKING TOWARDS THE PARK PAVILION WITH GIDLOW MILL PARTIALLY VISIBLE TO THE RIGHT
Stories about heritage in your local area
Historic England publishes news, blogs, research, videos, and podcasts celebrating England's rich heritage. Discover the stories we have about Wigan.
Mentions Wigan
In the summer of 2023, more than 60,000 people came together for Hi! Street Fest: a series of community-led street parties and carnivals celebrating...
How a Giant Puppet Brought England’s High Streets to Life
In the summer of 2023, more than 60,000 people came together for Hi! Street Fest: a series of community-led street parties and carnivals celebrating England’s high streets.
Mentions Wigan
A community-led scheme is transforming the heart of Tyldesley by reviving shop fronts, encouraging start-ups to take up spaces and inspiring continued...
Tyldesley High Street: A Community Led Regeneration Project
A community-led scheme is transforming the heart of Tyldesley by reviving shop fronts, encouraging start-ups to take up spaces and inspiring continued sensitive development in the area.
16 Remarkable Historic Places Listed in 2023
Mentions Deep Pit railway footbridge WBS/24,
Take a closer look at the historic gems that were examined, protected and added to the National Heritage List for England in 2023.
Seven giant puppets visit Woolwich for Hi! Street Fest finale celebration
Mentions Wigan
Hi! Street Fest has been taking high streets across England by storm this summer. Now, it returns to Woolwich.
Heritage Could Help Add £2.7 Billion to Northern Economy
Mentions Wigan
Heritage working together with the arts, culture, nature and environment sectors could help tackle the cost-of-living crisis and regenerate the North.
Heritage and Craft Workers Across England Given a Helping Hand
Mentions Wigan
142 historic sites across England are receiving grants worth £35 million through the government’s Culture Recovery Fund.
High Streets Heritage Action Zones’ Cultural Programme Awards £6 Million Grants
Mentions Wigan
Over 60 High Streets Heritage Action Zones will receive grants totalling £6 million going to local arts organisations for community-led activities.
High Streets Heritage Action Zones’ Cultural Programme Launches with 'High Street Tales'
Mentions Wigan
Today Historic England launches a podcast and ebook called 'High Street Tales'. These are the first events of a four-year-long cultural programme.
Four Buildings Re-listed to Celebrate Their Role in the History of the Women’s Institute
Mentions Wigan
The re-listings of four buildings celebrate the story of the WI and mark the centenary of the first WI meeting in England.
Wigan's social history through photos
Over 10,000 images from the Historic England Archive have been specially selected and re-captioned for teachers, students, and anyone who wants to learn more about their local area.
The Villas, Green Lane, Bedford, Leigh, Greater Manchester
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
A family group beside the garden house in the grounds of 'The Villas'.
The Villas, Green Lane, Bedford, Leigh, Greater Manchester
The Old Workhouse, King Street, Leigh, Greater Manchester
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
A young girl standing on the pavement in front of the former workhouse at the corner of King Street and Spinning Jenny Court.
The Old Workhouse, King Street, Leigh, Greater Manchester
Nos 94-118 Leigh Road, Atherton, Greater Manchester
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
This row of miners cottages, incorporating shops and an attached institute were built in 1875. They were built for Fletcher Burrows Ltd.
Nos 94-118 Leigh Road, Atherton, Greater Manchester
Leigh Mill, Park Lane, Leigh, Greater Manchester
Period: Edwardian (1902 - 1913)
This cotton spinning mill was built between 1913-29 for the Horrocks Company.
Leigh Mill, Park Lane, Leigh, Greater Manchester
Lakeside Cottages, Red Rock Lane, Haigh, Greater Manchester
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
This terrace of 3 houses was built in c1862. They were built for the towns dye works company.
Lakeside Cottages, Red Rock Lane, Haigh, Greater Manchester
Junction of Market Street and Bradshawgate, Leigh, Greater Manchester
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
This photograph was taken the day before the Old Smithy was demolished. A crowd seems to have gathered in solidarity.
Junction of Market Street and Bradshawgate, Leigh, Greater Manchester
Junction of Market Street and Bradshawgate, Leigh, Greater Manchester
Period: 1980s (1980 - 1989)
A row of modern shops with office space above occupy the junction of these roads.
Junction of Market Street and Bradshawgate, Leigh, Greater Manchester
Junction of Market Street and Bradshawgate, Leigh, Greater Manchester
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
A group of people pose outside an off-licence on the corner.
Junction of Market Street and Bradshawgate, Leigh, Greater Manchester
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