In the Borough of Wigan, 70 percent of the area is designated as green space. Greenheart includes parks, woodlands, wetlands and canals. This green side can be discovered in a variety of places: in nature reserves with lakes and birdlife, as well as on trails through woodlands and meadows. There is also a cultural history that ranges from the first public library to a restored steam mill engine.
Wetlands, woodlands and trails
The 160-hectare Amberswood Nature Reserve includes lakes, ponds, woodlands, wetlands, wildflower meadows and grassland. These habitats are home to birds, insects and mammals. More than six kilometres of trails run through the area, and a section of the Greenheart Jubilee Way also passes through it. Trail races are held there too, and a permanent orienteering course offers another way to engage with the landscape.
Three Sisters is a wetland nature reserve with access to the larger Wigan Flashes Nature Reserve. Birds found on the lake include goosanders, mute swans, grey herons and kingfishers. Walking, cycling and horse-riding trails are complemented by picnic and play areas, toilets and free parking. Pennington Flash is part of the Flashes of Wigan and Leigh National Nature Reserve, designated by Natural England in October 2022. Bird hides, walking and cycling trails, a visitor centre, a café and an adventure playground for families are also among the facilities listed there. Check the latest operating information for facilities before your visit.
At Orrell Water Park, nature conservation and fishing go hand in hand: the site is a nature reserve and a coarse-fishing venue that includes two disused reservoirs. More than 100 bird species have been recorded there, as well as numerous species of butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies. Haigh Woodland Park, by contrast, focuses on a range of park activities. Alongside miles of walking trails and a golf course, it has an adventure playground, high ropes course, adventure golf, crazy golf, FootGolf and a railway attraction. As facilities and operating arrangements can change, check the latest information before travelling.
Activities are also available on the water: stand-up paddleboarding, canoeing, kayaking and sailing are offered at Scotman's Flash for adults and children of all abilities. Check availability in advance. At Haigh Woodland Park, Foodie Friday is scheduled for 2026 on the last Friday of each month from March to October, with street-food vendors and musical entertainment. Craft markets featuring cakes, handmade goods and produce are planned for the third Sunday of each month from April to October. Check the specific dates before travelling.
Library history and industrial heritage
Wigan Museum is housed in Wigan’s first public library and first public building with electric lighting. Alfred Waterhouse designed the building, which opened in 1878. George Orwell researched his book “The Road to Wigan Pier” in its reference library in 1936; today, the space is used for family history and local studies. Wigan Museum’s collections comprise 30,000 objects relating to life in the Borough of Wigan. Access to the building may change during renovation; check current access arrangements before visiting.
Parks and mills also tell the story of the area’s past. A £6.1 million restoration of Mesnes Park, funded by Heritage Lottery money, brought the park closer to its Victorian character. The restored Trencherfield Mill Steam Engine is one of the largest and finest surviving working installations of its kind; it generated 2,500 horsepower for the mill. Public access depends on maintenance and current event arrangements, so check visiting options in advance.
The Wigan and Leigh Exhibition at Leigh Town Hall explores local-history stories from the Borough of Wigan, including diaries, historical figures and interactive exhibits. It is free and can be visited without booking during the published opening hours, Tuesday to Saturday. Check the latest hours before travelling.
Rail connections and travel planning
There are two railway stations for getting to the area, each with different connections. Wigan North Western is on the West Coast Main Line, with services towards London Euston, Birmingham, the Lake District region and Glasgow. Wigan Wallgate offers local rail services to Preston, Kirby, Southport, Manchester, Liverpool, Blackpool and Leeds. Timetables and connections can change, so check the latest information before travelling.
Discover more destinations: Atherton, Leigh, Warrington, Knowsley, Tameside, Wirral, Halton, Liverpool.
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