Besides great sights, an interesting history and many exciting destinations, Whitworth has a lot more to offer. Here you will find many helpful tips to enjoy your vacation in Whitworth.
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Sights in Whitworth
Whitworth is a town in Lancashire, England, on the River Irwell. It is 3.4 miles (5.5 km) north of Manchester city centre and about 10 miles (16 km) east of Bury. The 2011 Census recorded Whitworth’s population as 14,463.
The name “Whitworth” is derived from Old English hwit, meaning “white”, and Old English worth, a circular or enclosing farm or settlement. In the 13th century, William de Whithorn held the manor.
The Church of St James was rebuilt in 1848 and the spire added in 1874.
Whitworth Park, formerly part of the Whitworth estate, was bequeathed to the people of Whitworth by Sir Joseph Whitworth in 1889 and opened in 1893.
The second largest employer in Whitworth is GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), which has a factory on the south side of the town. GSK’s site, which has become known as “the Valley”, was originally the works of British Cellophane. On 8 June 1961, British Cellophane announced that it would build a new factory on the 125acre (0.51 km2) site. Construction of the factory began in 1962. It was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II on 28 March 1963. The factory cost £30 million to build. At the time it was the largest cellophane factory in the world.
In October 2005, GlaxoSmithKline announced that it planned to close the factory by the end of 2006 with the loss of 400 jobs. There was a public campaign to keep the factory open, but it was unsuccessful. The last shift at the factory left on 19 December 2006. The factory site is now occupied by a distribution centre for Travis Perkins.
The Whitworth thread was invented by Joseph Whitworth in 1841. It is a form of screw thread that is widely used in engineering.
Whitworth Gallery is an art gallery in the town. It is part of the University of Manchester and houses the university’s collection of modern art, as well as a collection of British watercolours.
The gallery was opened in October 1971 and was named after Sir Joseph Whitworth, who was a benefactor of the university. The gallery was designed by the architect John McAslan.
The gallery has a café and a shop. It is open from Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm, and Sunday, 1pm to 5pm. Admission is free.
History of Whitworth
Whitworth is a town and civil parish in the Rossendale borough of Lancashire, England. It lies on the River Irwell, 4.5 miles (7.2 km) northeast of Haslingden and 6.5 miles (10.5 km) northwest of Rossendale, within the Forest of Rossendale. The town had a population of 14,000 at the 2011 census.
Whitworth was first recorded in 1182 as Witewrde, meaning “White Worth or Fold”, from Old English hwīt and worð. This referred to the white limestone ground on which the original settlement was built. In 1296 it was recorded as Whiteworth.
The town’s early history is marked by its association with the Buxtons, a local family who owned much of the land on which Whitworth was built. The family took their name from the nearby village of Buxton, Derbyshire. They were wealthy yeoman farmers who later became landed gentry.
In the early 14th century, Robert Buxton acquired the manor of Whitworth from his fatherinlaw. The Buxtons were supporters of the Royalist cause during the English Civil War and the town was sacked by Parliamentary troops in 1643.
Following the war, the Buxtons’ fortunes declined and they sold their estate in 1740. The new owners, the Towneleys, began a programme of investment in the town, building a new church, a grammar school and a number of mills.
The Towneleys were also prominent landowners in the area and their support for the Lancashire cotton industry helped Whitworth to prosper in the 19th century. The coming of the railways in the 1840s made Whitworth easily accessible from Manchester and other cities and the town’s population grew rapidly.
By the end of the 19th century, Whitworth was a thriving market town with a population of over 10,000. It had a large number of mills, many of which have since been converted into warehouses and industrial units.
The 20th century saw further decline in the traditional industries of Lancashire and Whitworth was no exception. However, the town has successfully reinvented itself in recent years and is now a popular commuter town for Manchester and Leeds.
Whitworth’s history is inextricably linked to the Buxton family, who were the town’s most prominent landowners for centuries. The family’s fortunes declined in the 18th century, but they left a lasting legacy on the town in the form of grand buildings such as St George’s Church and the Whitworth Institute.
The Towneleys, another powerful local family, also left their mark on Whitworth. They were responsible for much of the town’s growth in the 19th century, investing in new mills and other businesses.
The coming of the railways in the 1840s transformed Whitworth from a small market town into a thriving industrial community. The town’s population grew rapidly and new buildings sprang up to house the workers in the town’s many mills.
The decline of the Lancashire cotton industry in the late 19th century hit Whitworth hard, but the town began to recover in the early 20th century. The opening of the LeedsLiverpool Canal in 1816 made Whitworth an important transport hub and the town’s population began to grow once again.
In recent years, Whitworth has successfully reinvented itself as a commuter town for Manchester and Leeds. Many of the town’s old mills have been converted into modern apartments and office space, and there is a thriving community of small businesses in the town centre.
Whitworth’s history is a story of decline and regeneration. The town has faced many challenges over the centuries, but its ability to adapt and change has ensured its survival.
Vacation in Whitworth
Whitworth is a town in Rossendale, Lancashire, England. Historically part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, it is 8 miles (13 km) east of Manchester city centre and 6 miles (9.7 km) north of Bury. The town had a population of 14,294 at the 2011 Census.
Whitworth may be best known for its connections with the writer Elizabeth Gaskell, who lived in the town for a number of years and used it as a setting for some of her stories. The town is also home to a heritage centre and museum devoted to her life and work.
There are a number of other attractions in Whitworth, including the Whitworth Art Gallery, which houses a collection of modern and contemporary art, and the British National Steam Car Record attempt, which was held in the town in August 2009.
For those interested in exploring the great outdoors, the Peak District National Park is only a short drive away, and the towns of Hebden Bridge and Todmorden are also close by. Whitworth also has its own golf club, and a number of walking and cycling routes can be found in the area.
With so much to see and do, Whitworth is the perfect destination for a short break or a longer holiday. Whether you’re interested in history, art, or simply getting away from it all, you’ll find everything you need in this charming Lancashire town.
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