Besides great sights, an interesting history and many exciting destinations, Widnes has a lot more to offer. Here you will find many helpful tips to enjoy your vacation in Widnes.
Here you can find hotels in the area of Widnes
Just type in your destination and get many different suggestions.
Sights in Widnes
Widnes is a town in the borough of Halton in Cheshire, England. Historically part of Lancashire, it is on the northern bank of the River Mersey where the estuary narrows to form Runcorn Gap. Directly to the south across the River Mersey is the town of Runcorn. Up the river to the southwest is Warrington, and downriver to the northeast is Speke.
In 2011, Widnes had a population of 61,464.
The etymology of Widnes is uncertain. One theory is that it derives from the Danish vidal, meaning a ford, though an alternative explanation derives it from wudu, meaning a wood.
In the 12th century, Widnes was first noted as being inhabited by the Norsemen. However, there is no direct evidence for this, other than placename evidence, and its existence is therefore disputed by some historians. On William the Conquerors arrival in England in 1066, Widnes was already an ancient settlement connected to Runcorn by the River Mersey. The Normans renamed the settlement that they conquered Widenolle, which over time became Widnes. It is possible that the earlier name refers to a ford across the Mersey, but it could also have been applied to narrower points on either side of the waterway. Ahead of the Industrial Revolution, Widnes was a small rural farming community, predominantly NorsePowysian in character.
The main road through Widnes, the A557 – known as Liverpool Road, Ditton Road and Widnes Road – follows the route of an ancient trackway connecting Wessex with North Wales. Liverpool Road was the site of a number of battles between the English and the Welsh, fought when the latter invaded England in support of the rebellion led by Owain Glyndŵr. In 1468, one battle, known as the Battle of Red Bank, was particularly bloody.
The manufactures at Widnes were involved in producing chemicals and bleaching products. The town’s first gasworks opened in 1834, providing illumination for public spaces and streets. In 1847, John Hutchinson and Sons established a coalfired power station at Gadbrook, powering his factories and the streets of Widnes. A waterworks was completed in 1858 to supply clean water to the town, and in 1859 a sewage works was built to deal with the town’s waste.
With a growing population and industries, Widnes was incorporated as a municipal borough in 1874.
Widnes is dominated by the Runcorn Bridge, a towpath bridge crossing the River Mersey which was completed in 1961 and superseded the earlier transshipment point and floating bridge at Runcorn Gap. Until the opening of the Runcorn Bridge, Widnes was effectively an island, separated from the rest of England by the River Mersey. To the north of the town is Widnes railway station which provides regular services to Liverpool, Manchester and Warrington.
The Silver Jubilee Bridge, a tollfree road bridge carrying the A533 road over the River Mersey between Runcorn and Widnes, was completed in 1961. In 1965, the Britannia Bridge carrying the A533 road and the Manchester Ship Canal across the River Mersey between Runcorn and Widnes was opened. These two bridges, together with the Runcorn Bridge, provide the town with good road links with the cities of Liverpool and Manchester.
The town is situated close to the M56 and M6 motorways, giving it good road links with the rest of England.
Widnes is served by two railway stations. Widnes railway station is located on the Liverpool to Manchester Line and provides regular services to Liverpool, Manchester, Warrington and beyond. Hale Bank railway station is located on the premises of the chemical works of Tata Chemicals Europe and serves only employees of the company.
The town is home to the Super League rugby league team Widnes Vikings, who play their home games at the Select Security Stadium. The stadium is also home to Widnes Football Club, who play in the North West Counties Football League.
The town of Widnes is located on the northern bank of the River Mersey in the borough of Halton in Cheshire, England. Widnes is situated close to the M56 and M6 motorways, giving it good road links with the rest of England. The town is served by two railway stations. Widnes railway station is located on the Liverpool to Manchester Line and provides regular services to Liverpool, Manchester, Warrington and beyond. Hale Bank railway station is located on the premises of the chemical works of Tata Chemicals Europe and serves only employees of the company.
Widnes is dominated by the Runcorn Bridge, a towpath bridge crossing the River Mersey which was completed in 1961 and superseded the earlier
History of Widnes
Widnes is a town in the unitary authority of Halton in Cheshire, England. It lies on the northern bank of the River Mersey where the estuary widens to form the Widnes Waterfront. Directly to the south across the Mersey is the town of Runcorn. Upstream to the west is Warrington, downstream to the east is Speke. The town of Widnes is 7 miles (11 km) southeast of Liverpool, 10 miles (16 km) southwest of Prescot and 12 miles (19 km) northeast of Runcorn.
The earliest known settlements in the Widnes area were as early as the 7th century when the area was inhabited by the Saxons. In the 10th century, the land was conquered by the Danes and later became part of the Hundred of Warrington. Widnes was first mentioned in the Domesday Book in 1086, when it was called Wideness. The industrial revolution began in the 18th century when the first chemical works were established. Widnes was at the centre of the British chemical industry during this time. The town grew rapidly in the 19th century when the Sankey Canal and the Manchester and Birmingham Railway were built.
The expandable guano market led to a boom in the town in the late 19th century and early 20th century. The town was incorporated as a borough on 15 July 1874. The Borough of Widnes was created on 1 April 1974 by the merger of the Borough of Widnes with the Runcorn Rural District and parts of the Northwich Rural District. The town of Widnes is now governed by the Borough Council of Halton.
The town has a long association with the chemical industry and was until recently, home to the headquarters and main production site of ICI Chemicals and Polymers. The site has now been redeveloped as a science park. The town is also home to the Silver Blades Widnes ice rink, the Halo Leisure Centre, the Emirates Stadium (home to Widnes Vikings Rugby League Club), Widnes Library and Museum, Catalyst Science Discovery Centre and Victoria Park.
The name Widnes is derived from the Old English words wīd (wide) and næs (promontory or headland). The name originally referred to a promontory or headland near the southern tip of Runcorn Gap.
The earliest known settlements in the Widnes area were as early as the 7th century when the area was inhabited by the Saxons. In the 10th century, the land was conquered by the Danes and later became part of the Hundred of Warrington.
Widnes was first mentioned in the Domesday Book in 1086, when it was called Wideness. The name Widnes refers to a promontory or headland near the southern tip of Runcorn Gap.
The industrial revolution began in the 18th century when the first chemical works were established. Widnes was at the centre of the British chemical industry during this time. The town grew rapidly in the 19th century when the Sankey Canal and the Manchester and Birmingham Railway were built.
The expandable guano market led to a boom in the town in the late 19th century and early 20th century. The town was incorporated as a borough on 15 July 1874.
The Borough of Widnes was created on 1 April 1974 by the merger of the Borough of Widnes with the Runcorn Rural District and parts of the Northwich Rural District.
The town of Widnes is now governed by the Borough Council of Halton. The town has a long association with the chemical industry and was until recently, home to the headquarters and main production site of ICI Chemicals and Polymers. The site has now been redeveloped as a science park.
The town is also home to the Silver Blades Widnes ice rink, the Halo Leisure Centre, the Emirates Stadium (home to Widnes Vikings Rugby League Club), Widnes Library and Museum, Catalyst Science Discovery Centre and Victoria Park.
Vacation in Widnes
Widnes is an industrial town in the unitary authority of Halton and the ceremonial county of Cheshire in England. The town lies on the southern bank of the River Mersey, where the estuary narrows to form the Runcorn Gap. Directly to the north across the River Mersey is the town of Runcorn. Upstream, to the southwest, is the town of Warrington, while downstream, to the southeast, is the city of Liverpool. Its population at the 2011 Census was 61,464.
Other vacation destinations in England:
