Runcorn

The earliest written reference to the town is in the medieval Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, where it is spelled "Rumcofan", literally meaning "a wide cove or bay". Queen Ethelfleda built a fortification at Runcorn to protect the northern frontier of her kingdom of Mercia against the Vikings in 915. The remains of the fort were discovered by the Victorians when building the railway bridge across the Mersey, so they styled the bridge to look like the towers of a castle.
Runcorn remained a small, poor village until the industrial revolution in the 18th century when it became a centre of quarrying sandstone, shipbuilding, engineering, tanning and manufacturing soap and chemicals.
It was designated a 'new town' in the 1960s and expanded eastwards, swallowing neighbouring settlements. The planners created a brand new town centre with 'Shopping City', an Amercian style mall, at its heart. So Runcorn effectively has two town centres; the old town and 'Halton Lea' where Shopping City is located.

By plane

The town is well placed between the North West's two main international airports; Liverpool John Lennon Airport and Manchester Airport. Both are easily accessible via the road and railway networks. Use Runcorn station for services to Liverpool John Lennon Airport and Runcorn East station for Manchester Airport.

By train

Runcorn has two railway stations:

• Runcorn Station

  address: Shaw Street
  Runcorn station is in the Old Town in the northwest. Use this station for services north to Liverpool, west to Chester and south to Birmingham and London. Services are operated alternately by Virgin Trains and London Midland. London Midland services stop at Liverpool South Parkway (for Liverpool John Lennon Airport), whereas Virgin services head straight for Liverpool Lime Street, a journey which takes around 20 minutes. Both services are hourly, so there are four trains an hour running through Runcorn. Use Platform 1 for Chester, Birmingham New Street and London Euston. Use Platform 2 for Liverpool South Parkway and Liverpool Lime Street. The station has a small shop, two waiting rooms, two lifts and a first class lounge.

• Runcorn East Station

  address: Barnfield Avenue
  Runcorn East station is in the New Town to the east. Use this station for services west to Chester and North Wales, and east to Manchester. It is a small, unmanned station and you will need to either get a taxi or a bus if travelling to the town centre from here. It also has two platforms. Use Platform 1 for Manchester Piccadilly and Platform 2 for Chester and Llandudno. Trains to Manchester Piccadilly take around 45 minutes, to Chester take 30 minutes, and to Llandudno take an hour and thirty minutes.

By car

Runcorn is well connected to the motorway network. To the south is the nearby M56 motorway to Manchester, Chester and North Wales. The M6 lies to the east and the M62 is to the north in the neighbouring town of Widnes.
Beware though; the two road bridges across the Mersey for Liverpool are both tolled. There are no toll booths but you must pay the toll to Merseyflow online by midnight the following day or face a £40 penalty.

By bus

There are good bus connections with neighbouring cities and towns, including Liverpool, Chester, Widnes, Frodsham and Warrington.
Two operators serve the town; Arriva and Halton Transport.
There are two main bus interchanges. One is in Runcorn Old Town near Runcorn railway station and the other at Runcorn Shopping City.

By boat

The town has two canals. The Manchester Ship Canal is not open to non-commercial traffic, but the Bridgewater Canal is open to public use and is popular with pleasure boaters. The Bridgewater Canal terminates in Runcorn Old Town but there are plans to reopen the flight of locks to connect the Bridgewater Canal with the Manchester Ship Canal and the River Weaver Navigation, creating a second Cheshire ring.
There are two canal boat docks in Runcorn. Waterloo Junction is the main dock in Runcorn Old Town. The second dock is privately owned and is located further west. It can be accessed from Halton Road. Bridgewater Motor Boat Club is based in Runcorn and can give advice on moorings in the town.

By bus

When Runcorn New Town was built, a system of dedicated busways was constructed, completely separate from the road network. This makes getting around by bus fast and easy.
Two operators serve the town; Arriva and Halton Transport.
There are two main bus interchanges. One is in Runcorn Old Town near Runcorn railway station and the other at Runcorn Shopping City.

By car

Getting around Runcorn by car is easy using the high-speed dual carriageway system which surrounds the town in a figure of 8. Each area of the town has its own junction. The network is so well designed that traffic congestion is unheard of.

By foot or bicycle

Runcorn is spread out but walking and cycling in Runcorn can be a real pleasure. Because Runcorn is a planned New Town, it was designed so that pedestrians and vehicles are kept totally separate.
The Bridgewater Canal forms a lovely walk from east to west. In fact, you can walk all the way from Runcorn railway station to Runcorn East station just following the canal towpath, though it is a fair distance. Town Park in the east forms a pedestrian link between all the communities in that area. It links to Runcorn Shopping City by raised walkways meaning you never have to cross a busy road.
Wigg Island is a popular cycle route. The route is not open to cars and you can cycle all the way to neighbouring Warrington following the Manchester Ship Canal. Many people cycle a loop starting from Wigg Island, to Warrington, across the River Mersey, follow the Mersey back along Spike Island in Widnes, cross the Silver Jubilee Bridge and back to Wigg Island.

• Norton Priory Museum & Gardens

  address: Tudor Road, Manor Park
  Norton Priory is the most excavated monastic site in Europe. Boasting the ruins of an abbey, 12th century undercroft and an 18th century walled garden, it is located within an oasis of tranquil woodland and wildflower meadows. The museum displays thousands of artefacts from Norton’s 900 year history, including the internationally significant 14th century statue of St Christopher. The museum is open year round but the Walled Garden closes for the winter from 1st November - 1st April.

• Halton Castle

  phone: +44 1928 569895
  address: Castle Rd, off Main St
  One of only two Norman castles in Cheshire, Halton Castle sits atop Halton Hill near the geographical centre of the town. Only ruins of the castle survive, but there are widespread views from the top of the hill. Incorporated into the castle walls is the Castle Hotel pub, which used to be a Georgian courthouse. The castle is only open to the public at special times of year but for the price of a pint the pub will let you in their beer garden and you'll have free reign of the castle.

• Runcorn Promenade

  address: Mersey Road
  A stroll along the promenade in Runcorn Old Town offers views across the River Mersey, the Manchester Ship Canal and the three bridges that cross it. There is also a cantilevered walkway on the Silver Jubilee Bridge which offers good views over the waterways and the town. The town plays host to the largest free fireworks show in the North West on Bonfire Night every 5th November which can be viewed from the promenade.

• Runcorn Town HallCompleted in 1856 as a mansion for Thomas Johnson, a local industrialist, Runcorn Town Hall is a Grade II listed building in the Italianate style set in a small parkland. It is modelled after Osborne House, Queen Victoria's residence on the Isle of White. As a working office, the building is only open to members of the public at certain times of year, usually at Christmas time, but the park is open year round.

• Norton Water TowerAnother landmark is Norton Water Tower, built of Runcorn sandstone, 112 feet (34 m) high, which holds 672,000 imperial gallons (3 million litres) of water and supplies it to Liverpool. It is a major feat of Victorian engineering and can be viewed from impressive vistas in Town Park in the east of the town.

• Runcorn Hill ParkRuncorn Hill Park and Local Nature Reserve is in the centre of the western part of the town, partly on a dis-used nineteenth-century quarry. It incorporates natural woodland and heathland with more formal landscaping, playing fields, a bandstand, model boating lake, sporting facilities and cafe. A Chirotherium dinosaur footprint discovered in the quarry can be viewed in the cafe.

• Wigg IslandWigg Island is a large park and nature reserve in the north of the town on the banks of the River Mersey and Manchester Ship Canal. It covers 23 hectares of a former industrial site and includes several bird watching hides. During the Second World War, this was the site of the top secret Wigg and Randle Works which manufactured mustard gas to be used in case of Nazi invasion.

• Town Park and Phoenix ParkTown Park forms the centre of the eastern part of the New Town and is accessible from all of the surrounding communities. It also forms the pedestrian link to Runcorn Shopping City. Runcorn Ski Centre and Halton Miniature Railway are located in the park along with a children's play area. Phoenix Park adjoins Town Park to the north and includes a cafe, rock climbing wall and skate park.

• War memorials and Todger Jones VC statueA war memorial to those who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars, as well as those killed in later conflicts, is located at the end of Moughland Lane along with a statue of Thomas 'Todger' Jones VC. There is a second memorial in Castle Road, Halton village, commemorating residents of the village who served in the Boer War.

• ArchitectureFor those interested in town planning and modernist architecture, Runcorn is a treasure trove of buildings constructed in the late 1960s and 1970s. Runcorn Shopping City, at the heart of the New Town, was designed by Fred Roche CBE and at the time of its construction was the largest covered shopping centre in Europe. There are also several listed buildings in Runcorn of some importance, including All Saints Parish Church and Holy Trinity Church in the centre of the older part of the town, St Mary's in Halton village, St John's in Weston, and Christ Church in Weston Point. All Saints' Church, a Grade II

* listed building, dates from 1849 and was built by Anthony Salvin in red sandstone. The oldest surviving houses are the Seneschal's House in Halton village (1598), Weston Old Hall (1607), Brookfield Farmhouse (1691) and Halton Old Hall (1693). Other outstanding houses include Runcorn Town Hall (formerly Halton Grange), Camden House and Cottage in High Street and Bridgewater House near the Ship Canal.
Runcorn is often used as a filming location for TV programmes so you may recognise some settings such as the old Waterloo Pub - now a Buddhist temple - from Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps.

• The Brindley Theatre

  phone: +44 151 907 8360
  address: High Street
  The Brindley is an award winning theatre, arts centre, bar and cafe in Runcorn Old Town aside the Bridgewater Canal. It hosts everything from stand up comedy to musicals and film showings.

• Halton Miniature Railway

  phone: +44 1928 701965
  address: Town Park, Stockham Lane, Palacefields
  A 7 1/4" gauge miniature railway runs through Town Park in the east of the town for almost a mile. First opened in 1979, Halton Miniature Railway is staffed entirely by volunteers and operates services most weekends.

• Runcorn Ski Centre

  phone: +44 1928 701965
  address: Town Park, Stockham Lane, Palacefields
  There is a privately operated outdoor dry ski slope, also in Town Park. It consists of three dry ski slopes: an 85-metre main slope, a 45-metre extended nursery slope and a 25-metre nursery slope. The centre offers skiing and snowboarding lessons as well as children's 'tubing' parties.

• Cineworld Cinema Runcorn

  phone: +44 871 200 2000 (high cost)
  address: Trident Retail Park
  Located at Trident Retail Park next to Runcorn Shopping City, this multiplex cinema chain shows the latest international blockbusters in 2D and 3D formats.

• Sporting eventsThe main sport played in Runcorn is football, with the town having two senior football teams – Runcorn Linnets FC and Runcorn Town FC – both playing in the North West Counties League. Rowing is also a common sight on the River Weaver and the annual Heads in March and October and the Junior Regatta in March often draw a crowd.

The town has five secondary schools: The Grange Academy, The Heath School, Sandymoor School, Ormiston Bolingbroke Academy, and St Chad's Catholic and Church of England High School.
The nearest universities are in Liverpool, Chester and Manchester.
There are two public libraries; one at the Shopping City and one in the Old Town.

• Runcorn Shopping City

  phone: +44 1928 716363
  address: WA7 2EU
  Runcorn Shopping City is the main shopping location in the town. It comprises over 60 stores, including banks, eateries, clothing shops, hardware, electronics and department stores, supermarkets and more. In addition to big name stores like Argos, The Range, Specsavers, Wilko and Boots, the centre hosts many smaller retailers and has introduced an incubator for local start up outlets in 'The Box'. The centre is complemented by surrounding developments, including large supermarkets, drive through fast food restaurants, and the adjacent Trident Retail Park and its multiplex cinema. Local amenities like the main library and Council 'Direct Link' centres are also attached to the Shopping City in the civic quarter. However, it is not a major shopping destination regionally and its main purpose is as a local shopping mall. Parking here is free and it is well served by local buses.

• Runcorn Old Town

  address: High Street
  The Old Town area of Runcorn hosts smaller independent retailers such as a butcher, book shop, bakery and picture framers. The main areas are High Street, Regent Street and Church Street.

Cafes, bakeries and lunchtime meals

These eateries are not open in the evenings but are ideal for a quick bite at lunchtime.

• Devonshire Bakery

  phone: +44 1928 568210
  address: 43a Church Street
  Popular independent bakery making fresh sandwiches, pies, cakes and bread baked fresh everyday using traditional methods. Quite expensive but good for a treat!

• Quigley's Bakery

  phone: +44 1928 898564
  address: 9 Grangeway
  Busy with locals from breakfast to lunchtime, this small, cheap bakery serves up a range of pies, warm baps and even takeaway Sunday lunch.

• Bridge Deli

  phone: +44 1928 455001
  address: High Street
  Family run coffee shop serving excellent fresh sandwiches, baked potatos and cakes.

• Monks Delicatessen

  phone: +44 1928 580086
  address: 2 Granville Street
  A family run delicatessen that has been selling fine food since 1884. Bacon, sausage, pies, cheese, cooked meats, sandwiches, biscuits, jam, chutney.

• The Bake House

  address: The Old Post Office, 2 Highlands Road
  Serving breakfast, lunch, gin, coffee and amazing cakes. Dog friendly and near to Runcorn Hill Park.

• Esposito's Deli

  phone: +44 1928 572659
  address: Highlands Road
  Cafe set in Runcorn Hill Park so very popular on a sunny day - especially for iced cream!

• Prepped 2 Go

  phone: +44 1928 717991
  address: 114 River Walk
  Healthy, freshly cooked food to eat in or take out using locally sourced ingredients.

• Tropicana Cafe

  phone: +44 7450 080193
  address: 130 Bridge Walk
  Popular cafe in Runcorn Shopping City. The scouse is recommended!

• FJ's Restaurant

  phone: +44 1928 710920
  address: 61 Town Walk
  Basic greasy spoon cafe.

Restaurants and gastropubs

Most evening meal restaurants are in the Old Town but there are good pub restaurants isolated in various parts of the town which are worth seeking out.

• Melenio

  phone: +44 1928 575552
  address: 60 Devonshire Place
  Cosy family run restaurant serving fresh authentic Italian food. Popular with diners before heading to the Brindley Theatre.

• The Ferry Boat Wetherspoons

  phone: +44 1928 583380
  address: 10 Church Street
  Located in the Old Town, this is the busiest pub in Runcorn and offers a range of cheap eats. It is named after the old ferry boat which brought passengers across the River Mersey from Widnes.

• The Barley Mow

  phone: +44 1928 500255
  address: 56 Church Street
  Serves carvery - ideal for a Sunday lunch.

• Ten Lock Flight

  phone: +44 1928 352094
  address: 1 Crossville Way
  Familiar pub classic dishes plus steak and pizza.

• Tandoori Night

  phone: +44 1928 577440
  address: 19 High Street
  Indian restaurant with cool, modern decor offering Indian classics, tandoori specials and takeaway.

• Pizza Hut

  phone: +44 1928 759759
  address: Southway
  Family-friendly chain known for its made-to-order pizzas. Perfect for a bite after catching a movie at the neighbouring cinema.

• The Prospect Inn

  phone: +44 1928 561280
  address: 70 Weston Road
  Family run pub serving quality beers, ales and home cooked food.

• The Royal Oak

  phone: +44 1928 577781
  address: 187 Heath Road South
  Small family run village pub at the heart of Weston since 1865. Serves real cask ales, speciality craft gins and homemade traditional food.

• Norton Arms

  phone: +44 1928 567642
  address: Main Street
  Traditional, friendly and lively little pub in Halton Village, Runcorn. Serves a good range of beers and home cooked food.

• Evenwood Farm, Dining & Carvery

  phone: +44 1928 571328
  address: Evenwood Close
  Large pub/restaurant serving British dishes and a carvery, with children's indoor play area.

• Beefeater

  phone: +44 1928 716829
  address: Chester Road
  Large steak restaurant next to the Premier Inn hotel.

• Ring O Bells

  phone: +44 1925 740256
  address: Chester Road
  Rustic-chic pub, with contemporary fittings and a tiled floor, serving steaks and global dishes.

Fast Food

Big name fast food outlets are concentrated around Runcorn Shopping City, many of which are drive throughs. Smaller independent take aways, burger joints and fish & chip shops can be found in the Old Town.

• McDonald's

  phone: +44 1928 714028
  address: West Lane

• Burger King

  phone: +44 1928 716011
  address: Edwards Road

• KFC

  phone: +44 1928 718672
  address: Hospital Way

• Dominos Pizza

  phone: +44 1928 715777
  address: Southway

• Subway

  phone: +44 1928 790405
  address: Trident Retail Park

• K.Lee Supper Bar

  phone: +44 1928 561239
  address: 42 Church Street
  Chinese and fish & chip take away.

The main area for nightlife is in the Old Town where the bars and pubs are busiest on Friday and Saturday evenings, but there are pubs dotted across Runcorn where you can get a quiet drink. If you like historic surroundings then be sure to check out the pubs in Halton Village.

Old Town

• Society Ltd

  phone: +44 1928 775628
  address: 33 Ashridge Street
  Contemporary bar with beer garden underneath the railway arches in Runcorn Old Town. Serves a wide range of keg and cask lines, ciders, wines, cocktails and street food.

• The Ferry Boat Wetherspoons

  phone: +44 1928 583380
  address: 10 Church Street
  Located in the Old Town, this is the busiest pub in Runcorn and offers a range of real ales and craft beers. It is named after the old ferry boat which brought passengers across the River Mersey from Widnes.

• The Barley Mow

  phone: +44 1928 500255
  address: 56 Church St
  Popular with locals of a weekend, this listed building hosts open mic karaoke. One to avoid if you're looking for a quiet night!

• The Royal

  address: 1 High St
  Busy sports bar, popular for watching Premier League football.

• Chambers

  phone: +44 1928 770188
  address: 77 High St
  Runcorn's only nightclub, Chambers is open on Fridays and Saturdays till late.

Halton Village

• The Castle Hotel

  phone: +44 1928 564969
  address: Castle Rd
  Although not offering a great range of beers (and not actually being a hotel), the big draw here is the spectacular views across Cheshire from atop Halton Hill and the cosy fireplaces in winter. The pub is teeming with history - the beer garden is within the grounds of Halton Castle and the pub itself is a former Georgian courthouse. Don't drink too many though or you may struggle to get back down the hill!

• Norton Arms

  phone: +44 1928 567642
  address: Main Street, Halton Village
  Situated at the base of Halton Castle, the Norton Arms is ideal if you don't fancy a trek up Halton Hill. It serves a good range of drinks, pub food and often hosts live music.

Budget

• Hotel Campanile Runcorn

  phone: +44 1928 581771
  address: Lowlands Road
  Campanile Runcorn Bed and Breakfast hotel is a 53 bedroom hotel situated next to Runcorn Railway Station. Access to rooms is via motel style open air walkways.

• Fountain's Hotel

  phone: +44 1928 569799
  address: 10 High Street
  Basic accommodation catering mainly for contractors.

• The Wilsons Hotel

  phone: +44 1928 561065
  address: 24-30 Bridge Street
  Comfortable rooms above a classic pub with a beer garden.

• The Wellington Hotel

  phone: +44 1928 898006
  address: 40 Wellington Street
  Rooms above a lively pub.

• Bridge View B&B

  phone: +44 1928 572652
  address: 78 High Street
  Bed and breakfast with a bar for guests and the general public. Has a large function/conference room that can be used for business seminars, christenings, weddings, funerals, birthday and anniversary celebrations.

• Runcorn Jubilee B&B

  address: 15-16 Stanley Villas, Greenway Road
  Warm, clean and friendly bed and breakfast. Prices start from £36.00 per night B&B for a single room with shared bathroom and up to £64.00 per night B&B for a double en-suite room.

Mid-range

These are mostly situated on the outskirts of Runcorn so best only if you're driving or happy to get a bus or taxi into the town.

• Holiday Inn

  phone: +44 871 942 9070 (high cost)
  address: Wood Lane
  3 star redbrick hotel with an indoor pool and bar, located on the outskirts of Runcorn in Beechwood.

• Premier Inn

  phone: +44 871 527 8954 (high cost)
  address: Chester Road
  3 star hotel offering en suite rooms, an on-site pub/restaurant and free parking. Close to the M56 motorway to the south of the town.

• Daresbury Park Hotel and Spa

  phone: +44 871 221 0202 (high cost)
  address: Red Brow Lane
  Contemporary rooms with free WiFi, plus an airy restaurant, coffee shop and indoor pool. Situated to the east of the town in Daresbury.

Runcorn is generally safe during the day. As in most town centres, the Old Town can attract drunken behaviour at night, particularly at weekends which sometimes leads to violence. Some areas have high levels of poverty and bad reputations for crime, including parts of Halton Lodge, Halton Brook, Palace Fields, Castlefields and Murdishaw. More affluent and safer areas include the Heath, Weston, Beechwood, Sandymoor and Norton.
The local police force is Cheshire Constabulary and Runcorn Police Station is adjacent to the Shopping City. Call 101 for non-emergencies and 999 for emergencies.

Daresbury is a small village on the outskirts of Runcorn to the east and is well worth a visit if you're in the area. It is the birthplace of Lewis Carroll, author of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. All Saints' Church hosts a visitor centre dedicated to his life and works.
Liverpool - This port city is home to a thriving shopping, night life and cultural scene. Home to the Beatles and two famous football clubs. Easily accessible by bus or by train from Runcorn station.
Chester - A beautiful historical city on the River Dee, which is famous for its Roman ruins and city walls. It is also the gateway to North Wales and the delights of Llandudno and Snowdonia National Park. It is a short journey by train from Runcorn East.