Besides great sights, an interesting history and many exciting destinations, Leigh has a lot more to offer. Here you will find many helpful tips to enjoy your vacation in Leigh.
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Sights in Leigh
Leigh is a town in the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan in Greater Manchester, England. The town is 7 miles (11 km) southeast of Wigan and 12 miles (19 km) west of Manchester. Leigh is part of Greater Manchester’s urban conurbation and has a population of 31,673.
Leigh grew from a small farmstead in the 13th century to a mill town by the end of the 18th century. Leigh’s position on the LondontoLiverpool route brought improvement in transport which accelerated the town’s growth in the 19th century. Leigh was originally a small agricultural township, with a few streets of cottages and workers’ houses. Leigh is notable for its Victorian clock tower, Leigh Town Hall, completed in 1873.
The town’s economic history is tied to the industries of textiles, lace making and coal mining. Leigh also had a large fishing industry, specializing in Lancashire hotpot, although this declined dramatically after the Cod Wars of the 1970s. Leigh’s central location made it suitable as a distribution hub for goods and commodities, and the town developed into a major commercial centre in the late 19th century.
Today, Leigh is a thriving commercial town with a diverse range of shops, businesses and services. The town’s thriving market, held three days a week, is a key feature. Leigh also has a wide range of leisure activities and facilities, including a multiscreen cinema, museums, art galleries, golf courses, football and rugby clubs.
The town’s name derives from Old English leah, meaning a meadow or clearing in a forest. It was spelled Lyghe in 1254, and recorded as Leye in 1360. Other spellings include Ligge in 1417 and Lyght in 1454.
History of Leigh
The town of Leigh is in the county of Lancashire in England. It is situated 7 miles southwest of Wigan, 12 miles west of Bolton and 20 miles northwest of Manchester. Leigh’s first church was Leigh Minster, which was founded in Saxon times. In Norman times the town of Leigh was a borough and it had a market charter. The first recorded fair in the town was in 1257.
In medieval times Leigh was part of the hundred of West Derby in Lancashire. It was also included in the Domesday Book in 1086, where it was recorded as Lega. The name of the town is derived from the Old English leah, meaning a meadow or clearing in a forest.
Leigh’s prosperity during the Middle Ages was due to its position on the main London to Liverpool road. Leigh was also a staging post for coaches and it became a popular overnight stop for travellers. The building of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal in 1765 also contributed to the town’s growth.
During the Industrial Revolution Leigh became a major centre for the cotton industry. There were numerous mills in the town, some of which are now derelict. The town’s population grew rapidly during the 19th century and by 1901 it had reached 35,000.
Today Leigh is a thriving town with a mixture of traditional and modern shops. It has a market, which is held three days a week, and a variety of pubs and restaurants. Leigh is also home to Leigh Sports Village, which includes a stadium that is used by Leigh Centurions rugby league team and Leigh Genesis football team.
Vacation in Leigh
Leigh is a town in the borough of SouthendonSea in Essex, England. The town is situated on the Thames Estuary, about 40 miles east of London. LeighonSea is a seaside resort town and was once a fishing village. It is now a commuter town for London.
The town has a beach with two piers, both of which are popular with fishermen. The Old Town area of Leigh has many restaurants, pubs and cafes. There are also a number of art galleries in Leigh.
There are many opportunities for water sports in Leigh such as sailing, windsurfing, canoeing and kayaking. There are also a number of fishing lakes in Leigh.
There are a number of golf courses in Leigh including the worldfamous Royal Corft Golf Club.
Leigh is a great place to visit for a seaside holiday or a country break. There are many accommodation options available in Leigh including hotels, bed and breakfast establishments and selfcatering apartments.
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