In search of Wigan Pier
20 people attending
10 places left
Join us for a walk across Wigan Flashes and along part of the Leeds & Liverpool canal, to the probable site of Wigan's famous pier! The Flashes are lakes created by mining subsidence and now a nature reserve. The canal cuts through the centre of Wigan and provides an interesting walking route through the town, as we look for Wigan's elusive pier. This is a leisurely circular walk of 10 miles / 16.5 kilometres, along canal towpaths and urban trails. Ascent is around 60 metres, so the walk is fairly flat!
The word “pier” perhaps creates an image of seaside resorts like Blackpool and other resorts along England’s south coast that have, or had, a pier. References to “Wigan Pier” are a long-standing joke, as Wigan is nowhere near the coast and has nothing resembling a typical seaside pier. The original “pier” at Wigan is thought to have been a wooden jetty, where coal wagons from a nearby colliery were unloaded into waiting barges on the canal. It disappeared long ago, but the joke lives on! It is thought to have been located at some old warehouses that do survive, near the town centre.
You may also recognise the phrase because of a book named The Road to Wigan Pier, written in 1937 by George Orwell, a journalist and novelist. It’s not an easy read, however, being about poverty in early 20th century northern England. George Orwell is probably more famous for having written the novels Animal Farm and Nineteen Eighty-Four.
Dogs: well-behaved dogs are welcome on the walk, but must be under control at all times and on a lead when walking through fields with livestock or where wildlife might be disturbed. We are likely to encounter a lot of other dogs on this walk - parts of it are popular dog-walking territory!
Waitlist: if this event is fully booked and you want to participate, just add yourself to the wait list because places usually become available closer to the date.
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Photo credits: photos by the event leader with permission given to OutdoorLads for their use.
What to bring
The right kit makes a good day out more likely, despite the weather:
Boots: your most important piece of kit: comfortable, waterproof, breathable and designed for hiking. Walking shoes or outdoor trainers will be ok for this walk. Socks: proper walking socks will keep your feet dry and help prevent blisters.
Layered clothing: lets you quickly adapt to changes in the weather and to body temperature. Go for a base layer (vest or t-shirt), a mid layer (micro-fleece or shirt) and in cooler weather add an outer layer (windproof jacket or thick fleece). Trousers: avoid jeans as they become heavy and cold in the rain, and take ages to dry out. Breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry more quickly. On warm days shorts may be ok.
Waterproof jacket: carry one in your rucksack when walking in all but the calmest of weather. Breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry.
Hat or cap: useful for staying warm in winter and shaded in summer. Gloves: essential in winter and ideally waterproof.
Day rucksack: typically 20-30 litres, this should be comfortable to wear and allow you to use your arms freely.
Sunglasses: for any sunny day, even in winter. Sun cream: can be useful even on cloudy and winter days.
Lunch: bring a packed lunch unless otherwise stated. Snacks: a range of biscuits, energy bars, bananas, chocolate or dried fruit (for example) are always good to have. Put them in your rucksack where they are easy to grab.
Water and other fluid: bring between one and two litres, depending on season of the year and temperature. A combination of water, fruit juice, energy drinks and a hot drink (in cooler weather) is recommended.
Medicines: essential if you have hay fever, diabetes, minor ailments, etc. A personal first aid kit with hand sanitiser, bandages and paracetamol or ibuprofen (for personal use only) is a good idea.
Food & drink
Bring a packed lunch, snacks for along the way and sufficient fluids (hot or cold) to drink during the walk. A hot drink is recommended in cooler weather.
Towards the end of the walk we will visit an impressive Victorian town pub called the Swan & Railway Hotel. Built in 1898 this beautiful Victorian pub on Wigan’s Wallgate, and close to the two railway stations, retains many of its original features including a splendid tiled drinking corridor.