Visitors have been coming to Warrington since around A.D. 100, when Romans established a settlement on a strategic bend of the River Mersey. Today the architectural landmarks and museums of Warrington showcase the town’s ancient roots and role in historic events, such as the English Civil War and Industrial Revolution, which changed the course of the nation’s history. It also has performing arts venues, shopping malls and a variety of dining options.
Find popular attractions, bars and restaurants in the Cultural Quarter, set on the streets that surround Palmyra Square. Warrington Museum and Art Gallery has some 200,000 artifacts, including dinosaur fossils and objects from the Wilderspool Roman settlement. Attend concerts, musicals and stand-up comedy shows at Parr Hall and browse exhibitions at Pyramid Arts Centre. The Museum of Policing in Cheshire displays exhibits related to police history inside Victoria-era prison cells.
Architecture fans will enjoy scrutinizing the elaborate golden gates and Palladian-style exterior of Warrington Town Hall, designed in 1750 by James Gibbs. Visit Warrington Parish Church, where Oliver Cromwell’s troops left cannonball marks in the walls during the English Civil War. Cromwell stayed at a nearby Tudor cottage, which is now an Indian restaurant.
If you are in the mood for shopping then head to Golden Square Shopping Centre where there are bookstores, brand name fashion and department stores. At Warrington Retail Market, shop for everything from cheese, baked goods and fresh produce to cosmetics and musical instruments. Stockton Heath is a suburb loved for its boutique fashion and eclectic restaurants.
For a fun day out with the family, head to Gulliver’s World amusement park and Apple Jacks Adventure Farm. See a slice of Cheshire’s famous gardens at Grappenhall Heys Walled Garden. Experience the passion of a rugby league match at Halliwell Jones Stadium, home to the Warrington Wolves.
Being a short train ride from Liverpool and Manchester, Warrington is a good base for exploring North West England. Hiking routes in the Peak District National Park and along the Trans-Pennine Trail crisscross a quintessential English landscape of picturesque dales, green hills and moorland.
