Wigan, Market town in Greater Manchester, England
Wigan is a market town in Greater Manchester, England, spreading along the River Douglas and the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. Rows of 19th-century brick houses line many streets, and church spires mark different neighborhoods throughout the town.
King Henry III granted borough status in 1246, making the town one of four royal administrative centers in Lancashire. Textile production and later coal mining shaped the area for centuries, continuing well into the 20th century.
Market rights granted since the 13th century continue today, with regular markets held on the central square. Many residents still carry surnames derived from old trades or local families whose roots stretch back centuries in the area.
Both train stations sit near the center and offer several connections each hour to Manchester and Liverpool. Visitors can explore the market square area easily on foot, while the canal provides a quiet walking route along the water.
Some old cellars beneath shops and houses in the center still reveal the filled-in shafts of former pits below. These tunnels once ran directly under homes and were sealed after mining operations ended.
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