Take the road to Wigan and find an historic town packed with fascinating people and great things to do. We present our ultimate guide to Lancashire’s oldest town and meet some of the cast bringing panto fun this month. Oh yes, we do.
Best-selling travel writer Bill Bryson says he didn’t expect to find much of note in Wigan, but he was made to eat his words when he arrived in the town. He later admitted he was astounded by what Wigan had to offer – and what it has to offer really is wide and varied.
The town has a proud industrial past, which can be explored in the award-winning Lancashire Mining Museum. It gives a comprehensive oversight of an industry that was hugely important to Wigan: there is a headgear and winding engine, colliery cottages and interactive exhibits. It’s dog friendly and free.
Although coal mining has ceased, Wigan is home to over 12,000 businesses including manufacturing, engineering and creative sectors. As a result, the population continues to grow with families choosing to live here, attracted by a range of housing and by the fact that 90% of schools are rated as either outstanding or good.
Wigan is known nationally for its sporting prowess in many fields, Wigan Warriors are one of the most successful clubs in Super League Rugby, Wigan Athletic plays in League One and Wigan Cricket Club has won several trophies. And there are plenty of opportunities to take part in sport too, including golf, motor racing and swimming.
The town centre, with its attractive shopping arcades, has been awarded a different coloured flag – a highly coveted purple one, which celebrates it as a vibrant and safe nighttime destination. Maybe help it to celebrate by attending an event at the JJB Stadium-Jersey Boys appear on November 29 or sampling a spot of jazz-the Wigan Youth Jazz Orchestra will be performing on December 29 at Whalley Ex-Servicemen’s Club.
One unmissable event is Light Night on November 21-23 in Mesnes Park, the family focused event showing dazzling illuminated installations that turns the park into an enchanted wonderland. The event is free but you will need to book.
Going hungry or thirsty is not an option in Wigan – the town is famous for its pies, but you can also find good food from across the globe here. And no visit is complete without sampling Uncle Joe’s Mintballs which promise to keep you all aglow – just what we need in November!
Wigan is, as Bill Byson discovered, well worth a visit: you’ll discover, as one of Wigan’s most famous sons, George Formby, said: ‘It’s turned out nice again!’
It may not be too outlandish to imagine that one day, King Charles and his grandchildren may make a visit to the annual pantomime at Wigan Little Theatre. He was so impressed with its numerous awards garnered over 77 years, including The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, that he visited them in 2019.
‘He shared his reminiscences about seeing a pantomime with his grandmother, hoping he might have that experience with his own grandchildren says Chair Anne Wooley, who presented the future king with a pen and ink drawing of the theatre.
‘He was intrigued by our huge archive of panto scripts, all written by the recently deceased Bill Collins. We are performing his Cinderella this year with John Churnside, a Dame who has his very own fan club.’
Theatre royalty have also visited, including Sir Ian McKellen, who has a special place in his heart for Wigan Little Theatre – it's the place where he first saw a Shakespeare production, inspiring him to tread the boards.
‘He performed his one man show for two nights, giving us the ticket proceeds, in order to create a fund for training our members. We’ll use some of it for vocal coaching for our January production of The Revlon Girl, which is set in Wales.’
The Heritage Corridor displays its connections with other celebrities such as Ken Dodd, Joan Littlewood and Colin Bean; as well as programmes, posters and photographs.
Anne adds: ‘It’s not too much of a stretch to say almost every family in Wigan has had some connection with the theatre, even if it was just being part of the audience. We’re very proud of that.’
* Cinderella is at Wigan Little Theatre from November 28-December 14, wiganlittletheatre.co.uk.
Laura Quinn Harris has always loved art but decided to study mathematics at university because she was worried it might be difficult to make a living as an artist.
Several years later, Laura has proved herself wrong: she was runner up in Sky Portrait Artist of the Year, has paintings hanging in national, international and private collections and is one of the most sought-after portrait artists in England with a client waiting list of a year.
‘Eventually, I realised I had to be true to myself so, after graduating from University College London, I enrolled at Blackpool College to take a course in Scientific and Natural Illustration – it’s the only such course in the UK and it had the extra bonus of being within commuting distance from my Wigan home, ‘says Laura.
It was Laura’s father-in law-a fan of, Sky Portrait Artist of the Year, who suggested she enter.
‘It was a wonderful experience but I was a nervous wreck from the moment I entered until the moment it finished: imposter syndrome! It’s strange to have limited time and a camera crew filming as you work.
‘I was a bit disappointed that Sir Alex Ferguson wasn’t one of the guests on the show. As an avid Manchester United fan, he is the man I would most like to paint,’ says Laura, whose portraits of celebrities such as Dame Kiri Te Kiwana and Sir Ian McKellan have won her acclaim.
Although Laura has appeared on other television programmes including, Extraordinary Portraits, she prefers to paint in her studio. ‘I’m happy painting animals or people. Deers visit our garden and one day, when time permits, I’m determined to paint them,’ she says.
Suzie Brown of Miss Lola Couture never wanted to be anything else other than a fashion designer.
‘I studied Fashion and Technology Pattern Cutting at Manchester before becoming Head of Design for Arcadia, which was brilliant but not quite my dream come true,’ says Suzie whose dream was to own her own design studio in her hometown.
It came true when she opened premises in Standish selling hand-picked pieces on the ground floor, with a dress making studio upstairs.
‘I named it after my daughter and plunged in. I had a boost when ITV selected one of my clients as an example of a stylish lady at Ascot. She explained that I had designed and made it and I gained many new clients from all over the North West and Yorkshire.
Suzie is known for her precise bespoke patterns and exquisite sewing and she adds: ‘I love chatting with clients about the type of outfit they require. Some know exactly, others prefer to be guided. The main thing is to choose exactly the right fabric for the design – they must complement each other; no-one wants a flowing gown in a material which doesn’t move.
‘Many ladies like some sequins at Christmas but as soon as I begin to cut the cloth sequins go everywhere: vacuums can’t catch them! They follow me home and once I’m there, they settle on everyone and everything, including my partner. We don’t need an advent calendar to know Christmas is approaching.’
The Museum of Wigan Life
Housed where George Orwell researched his book ‘The Road to Wigan Pier’ there is plenty to see. A highlight you can still catch is the interactive, What’s in Store Exhibition, showcasing over 400 pieces, it runs until December. Don’t miss Christmas at the Museum, on December 21 with lots of family-themed festive activities.
The Old Courts, Wigan
A not-for-profit multi-disciplinary arts centre. The ornate Victorian building once operated as a court: you can enjoy a drink in the Bailiff Bar. It offers a varied programme including, family shows and theatre and on the fourth Thursday of the month, hosts a selection of musicians.
Three Sisters Racing Circuit
Known as one of the UK’s most challenging circuits, it makes a perfect day out for petrol heads of all ages. It offers go karting and motor sports and younger visitors can enjoy junior karting sessions and AIM Laser Combat. There is a café on site.
The Flashes
The Flashes – the series of eight shallow ponds created by subsidence caused by Wigan’s extensive mining industry – are now part of a nature reserve owned by the Lancashire Wildlife Trust. The mines here closed in the 1950s and in the years that followed, native trees were planted as part of an innovative land reclamation scheme. There are about 10km of paths around the reserve, which lies just a mile-or-so from Wigan town centre and is a favourite with walkers, birdwatchers, school groups and families.
THREE PLACES TO STAY
An award-winning luxury hotel, surrounded by gorgeous gardens and idyllic views. with a selection of accommodation from classic rooms to luxury suites. There is a restaurant and a café bar on site, as well as an opulent spa.
A Victorian country house set within 11 acres, overlooking Worthington Lakes, it was built by a Wigan brewer as a wedding present for his bride. It has retained many original features, including stained glass, a decorated ceiling and panelling.
Haigh Hall is currently undergoing a transformation to turn it into a cultural and event space. It will include eight second floor bedrooms for event such as weddings. The opening date is not yet confirmed so watch this space.
