Wigg Island, Local nature reserve on River Mersey banks in Runcorn, UK
Wigg Island is a local nature reserve on the Mersey banks near Runcorn, covering about 23 hectares of land. The reserve contains wetlands, woodlands, and grasslands with marked walking paths alongside the Manchester Ship Canal, offering habitat to many bird species.
The area took its name from Charles Wigg, who established an alkali works in the 1860s for copper extraction. During World War II, the factory operated as Wigg Works East and produced mustard gas before eventually becoming a nature reserve.
The site shows how communities transform industrial land into space for wildlife to thrive. Walking here, you see how nature has returned to areas that once hosted factories, and local efforts to bring back green spaces continue to shape the reserve.
The reserve has marked walking paths and informational signs about local wildlife, plus parking available on-site. Access is straightforward, and you can easily connect to the surrounding area via Old Quay Bridge.
The site played a hidden role in British military history by producing war chemicals, a past that starkly contrasts with its current peaceful purpose. Many visitors overlook this industrial warfare connection when walking through the green spaces today.
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