Heritage Walks
We hope you enjoy the walks – you will find many photos and oral histories on this website so please come back to find out more.
Heritage Walks
We hope you enjoy the walks – you will find many photos and oral histories on this website so please come back to find out more.
The area we know today as Town Park was conceived as part of the design and planning of Runcorn New Town development. The New Town was developed during the 1960’s and was largely completed by the early 1970’s. Before this the area had been largely agricultural farm land divided by areas of ancient woodland.
The site has a network of paths allowing you to stroll through wildflower meadows or alongside the river where you are also able to link up with Trans Pennine Trail which takes you to Hale Village or Spike Island and beyond. Pickerings Pasture is also very popular with birdwatchers and the starting point for guided tours to Hale Duck Decoy.
Runcorn Town Hall Park is set within formal gardens, meadow and woodland. Regularly used by local residents for dog walking and informal sporting activities. There is a children's playground and the large open grass area for a variety of events and activities. Look for the Parks and Countryside Service Events programme for more details.
The Sankey Canal was England’s first canal of the industrial age. It opened in 1757. It was the high-tech internet of its day, revolutionising transport and industry. It led to the growth of our villages and towns and it shaped our modern world. Businesses used the canal to bring in raw materials and to transport goods. It was much more efficient than using a horse and cart on a bumpy, winding road.
A network of footpaths has replaced the railway lines on the Island, allowing you to explore the park and enjoy expansive views across the River Mersey. The Trans Pennine Trail and Mersey Way footpaths run through Spike Island and you can follow them up the Sankey Canal to Warrington and beyond.
Victoria Park is situated one mile to the north west of Widnes Town Centre. Residential buildings border the Park and the site is easily accessible from the local housing estates. Local bus routes serve the park at its boundary on Birchfield Road and Fairfield Road. Widnes Railway Station is in close proximity to the parks northern boundary being only 2 minutes walk from the park gates, which is the main commuting line between Liverpool and Manchester.