Wigan Hills and History

Cycle this great tour of just over thirty miles celebrating the history of Wigan. The route starts next to the DW Stadium (home of 2013 FA Cup Winners, Wigan Athletic) and low lying 'flashes' that have developed due to subsidence from Wigan's mining past.

The route begins to climb up to the village of Up Holland and continue to the top of Ashurst Beacon where you can stop for a few minutes to catch your breath and admire the view which extends to North Wales on a clear day. Joining the Lancashire Cycleway you descend through Appley Bridge and make your way along quiet country lanes through Charnock Richard and Coppull. After a climb up Red Rock you arrive at your well-earned cafe stop at Haigh Hall Country House and Gardens - the hall was completed in 1840 and built by the Lindsay family who made their fortune with the 'Wigan Coal and Iron Company' which became the largest such company in the Lancashire Coalfield; it was sold to Wigan Council in 1947 for £18,000.

The route then makes its way through Aspull and Hindley before joining up with National Route 55, an old colliery railway before re-joining the Leeds Liverpool canal to return through Wigan, seeing Wigan Pier, the Life Centre and the Leeds Liverpool Canal.

This lovely route really isn't one to be missed, with the views, historical important and a few hills thrown in for good measure you are guaranteed a great time!