Heritage Walks
We hope you enjoy the walks – you will find many photos and oral histories on this website so please come back to this page and find out more.
Below you will find 12 selected walks across Halton which you can explore and enjoy.
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.
PHOENIX AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHERS Phoenix Amateur Photographers (PAP) are a small group of people who are either already fascinated by photography, or are keen to learn more and develop their photographic skills. Our membership includes a variety of skill levels from novice to experienced. We share our skills, we set ourselves projects, we show each other […]
Heritage Open Days are Coming! Heritage Open Days This year 2024, we will once again be joining heritage groups across the country for two weeks in September. Halton has a rich heritage to share and many of our local history and heritage groups will be posting a facebook titbit to share with you. A […]
31st August and 1st September 10:00-16:00hrs Unlock Runcorn invite you to this public event between the railway viaduct and Percival Lane – look out for the gazebos UNLOCK RUNCORN are happy to announce their first major public event since the pandemic. Earlier this year the charity successfully applied for an Area Forum grant from Halton […]
Halton u3a History Group u3a is a UK-wide organisation that provides the opportunity for those no longer in full-time work to come together to ‘live, learn and laugh’. Local branches, one of which is Halton, provide opportunities for this by offering a range of interest groups that pursue either an activity or an interest. Halton u3a […]
2018 HERITAGE OPEN DAYS ARCHIVAL NEWS………………. THE THEME OF EXTRAORDINARY WOMEN VOTED THIS LOVELY LADY OF HALTON Note : This extract is dated August 2018 not present day! Over the course of the first two weekends in September 2018 Halton Heritage Partnership held its Heritage Open Days events; many of Halton’s historic attractions opened their […]
HALTON HERITAGE PARTNERSHIP : A LOVE LETTER To celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Halton Borough, a very special performance is launching at Norton Priory Museum and Gardens on 6th September at 4:00pm . This performance, by renowned storyteller Gav Cross, will form a love letter of connections. Inspired by this year’s theme of ‘Routes – […]
HALTON HERITAGE OPEN DAYS 2024 A Love Letter to Halton We need your stories of Halton over the past 50 years! Halton Heritage Partnership (HHP) is commissioning a performance piece which will illustrate the connections between people that have shaped Halton over the past 50 years. Performances at a number of venues across the borough […]
Halton Borough Council are this year putting on a 2 day event to celebrate Halton’s Golden Jubilee year. The Halton 50 Festival will be in collaboration with The Great British Food Festival and will take place at Runcorn Hill Park on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th June, between 10am – 5pm both days. There will […]
The Sankey Canal A new KS1 & KS2 Education Learning Pack Sankey Canal Restoration Society have kindly allowed Halton Heritage Partnership to share the new education resources on our website. HHP would be delighted if you could make use of the learning pack and use it within schools and other interested groups in Halton Borough. […]
CELEBRATE HALTON’S GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY FROM taking selfies with giants to meeting a mad hatter, seeking out hidden beaches to patting and sitting on famous pigs, Visit Halton is marking the borough’s golden anniversary with 50 Quirky Things to do! This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the borough of Halton, officially formed on April 1, 1974, uniting the […]
Over the past few months, the Society has really been out there promoting the heritage of the area… from the hanging of new blue heritage plaques to unveiling timelines…
We are thrilled to share exciting news about the Borough of Halton turning 50, and we want you to be a part of the celebration! To mark this significant milestone is a one-of-a-kind list of ‘50 Quirky Things’ you can only do in Halton! ’50 Quirky Things You Can Only Do in Halton’ The curated […]
2016 News extract from Halton Heritage Partnership archives We can all agree this is a fine piece of restoration and well loved by all who attend events at St Lukes, Widnes and long may it continue. Read the extract from September 2016……. Work is well underway on the restoration of an historic church organ at […]
Can you help RLRS to Unlock Runcorn? Unlock Runcorn are looking for people to help us make a difference. During 2024 we are beginning the first exciting phase of our plan to Unlock Runcorn by relinking the Bridgewater and Manchester Ship Canals and want to expand our volunteer team to help us deliver it. […]
Runcorn and Widnes World 2 February report by Mark Smith Canal trips, bridge and play areas in Unlock Runcorn plans Boat trips along the canal, community orchard and a new footbridge are some of the highlights of a fresh planning application which marks the first phase of a long-standing ambition to breathe new life into Runcorn’s waterways. Halton […]
Make Mine Manga Exploring the marvellous world of manga A touring exhibition about the world of Manga comics and graphic novels is coming to Halton Libraries. Make mine Manga is a free exhibition for anyone curious about Manga as well as the avid fan. 5-16 February at Widnes Library this event is free to all.
The start of the new year brings an exciting event to Norton Priory Museum, Runcorn. Norton Priory Museum and Gardens is delighted to be hosting Luke Jerram’s Gaia during January 2024. A programme of special events has been planned to complement the artwork, whilst evening viewings are also available. Evening viewing of Gaia also provides […]
This January we start with a bit of archival news from the Catalyst SDC, Widnes………… from October 2021 What a great event at the Catalyst Science Discovery Centre and Museum in October 2021 – naming the Henry & John Brunner Room in the archives With the presentation of two artefacts for permanent display in the […]
RUNCORN COMMUNITY CHOIR CAROL CONCERT DATE: SATURDAY 16TH DECEMBER, 3.30PM Join us in Norton Priory’s atrium for this very special carol concert to celebrate the season through a range of well-known Christmas carols and festive favourites. A free glass of mulled wine or orange juice is included at the event. Book tickets here!
UNVEILING OF THE FLEMISH COLLECTOR’S CABINET & GEORGE II SIDE TABLE In early 2021, the museum was contacted by a local auction house: a cabinet from the house that once stood at Norton Priory was coming up for auction. When the Senior Keeper and the museum’s Chief Executive visited the auction house to view the […]
DATE: 26TH NOVEMBER, 11AM-4PM A “Discover Sundays” Event Enjoy the festive atmosphere in the medieval undercroft and get started on your Christmas gifts with a variety of food, craft and gift stalls set up throughout the museum building. Tickets are £5 for adults, £4 for children, and free for members! Book tickets here !
Here at Halton Heritage Partnership we have compiled a large number of local walks which you can easily self guide yourself or group on a leisurely and informative stroll around Halton. This is the link to view the many walks we have compiled for you to enjoy: issuu.com/haltonheritagepartnership We hope you enjoy finding new places […]
Starting on Fridays 11am-3pm, Widnes Library Family History Helpdesk 1st Tuesday of the month, 1-4pm, Halton Lea Library 1st Friday of the month, 11am-3pm, Widnes Library Free drop in session, free access to Ancestry and help provided by library staff and local enthusiasts. Interested in researching your family history but don’t know where to start? […]
In Halton we have a website signposting places of interest to the visitor and the website is “Visit Halton” www.visithalton.co.uk. On there is a map of places of interest which the website points you with a handy key to what they are. As well as upcoming events within Halton. Please take time to enjoy some […]
WITH HALTON HERITAGE PARTNERSHIP Displays from Halton Heritage partners will be seen on the gallery of Norton Priory’s atrium, with a changing theme every month or more. Discovering Sundays is also an opportunity to speak with one of the groups when a heritage event is scheduled into NP’s busy calendar. Here is one which took […]
7th and 8th OCTOBER 10a.m. to 5pm It is that time of year again when Norton Priory Museum hold their annual Quince and Apple Days. Celebrate Autumn at Norton Priory Museum & Garden with a fun event for all the family. Celebrate Autumn at Norton Priory Museum & Gardens with a fun event for all […]
NORTON PRIORY ROSE WALK On one of the hottest and most humid days of the year, the replanted Rose Walk was opened by Sir Richard Christopher Brooke, the 12th Baronet of Norton, on the afternoon of Sunday 10th September 2023. Our Head Gardener, John Budworth, designed and created the Rose Walk in 2020 – 2021, introducing […]
8th September – 17th September This year’s theme is Creativity Unwrapped: For the two weeks in September there will be free activities and events happening in Halton as part of the Heritage Open Days national celebration. From guided tours to pop-up museums, there are lots of heritage activities for people of all ages and interests […]
Frank Lawless has produced an edited version of his publication of “Chimney Stacks and Penny Blacks” v5. Which can be requested free on a pdf file at present if you email direct to haltonheritage@gmail.com. Frank’s book is also available at Halton Libraries to any library member to request or Borrowbox if you are an e-book […]
This September sees the Heritage Open Days of Halton’s heritage sites, venues, churches and more including museums. All free to visitors to explore. Further details of the programme of events and opening dates and times will be published in the near future ready for you to enjoy over the two week period 9th-18th September.
Code a drone. 12 August at 11am – 1pm A free event at Halton Lea Library. MakoCreate we deliver creative digital art and technology workshops and projects. We also deliver workshops to help teachers, youth workers and trainers to gain a better understanding of the changing world of digital media
DATE: WED 21ST JUNE, 7.00-9.00PM The Wheel of the Year turns once more and we find ourselves at Summer Solstice. Come and join us as we give gratitude to the Sun for all that they give us on this, the longest day. With meditation and reflective moments with Mima Cornish of HedgeRose Healing, and the […]
This is the Official Souvenir Programme: Celebrating the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III and Her Majesty Queen Camilla for Saturday 6th May 2023. Definitely a date for the history books and heritage records for generations to come. Let us know how you celebrate the event by our multiple ways to get in touch […]
Celebrating the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III and Her Majesty Queen Camilla History in the making this weekend with coronation celebrations and pagentry for us all to enjoy. Share with us your memories of this weekend and how you celebrate this momentous occasion. Send your pictures and stories to our HHP facebook page […]
Wednesday 29th March sees the relaunch of the HHP website at Norton Priory. Commencing at 4:30p.m. the partners, guests and VIPs will be entertained and treated to a light buffet. There will be a variety of partners exhibiting materials from their organisations and a handling session of a small sample of Norton Priory’s collection.
Here is another new Partner of HHP. The History branch of the Halton u3a is a relatively new group who meet first Tuesday on the month at 1.00 pm – at St Paul’s Church Hall, Widnes, WA8 7QU. halton u3a events . The u3a events link will give you all the details and dates when […]
Festive events through December and January at Catalyst Science Museum for all the family
Unlock Runcorn Festive Market on Saturday 3rd December at The Bridge View, 78 High Street Runcorn WA7 1JH from 2-5.30pm.
