Visit Runcorn Places

Welcome to Visit Runcorn Places
The Walkfo guide to things to do & explore in Runcorn

  

Runcorn Places Overview: History, Culture & Facts about Runcorn

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Runcorn history

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Early history

The earliest written reference to the town is in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, where it is spelled “Rumcofan”, literally meaning “a wide cove or bay” The first recorded event in its history is the building by Ethelfleda of a fortification at Runcorn in 915.

Medieval

Runcorn was not mentioned in the 1086 Domesday survey, although surrounding settlements were. William the Conqueror granted the earldom of Chester to Hugh d’Avranches who granted the barony of Halton to Nigel. It is likely that Nigel erected a motte and bailey castle on Halton Hill in the 1070s.

English Civil War

During the Civil War, Halton Castle was held for the Royalists by John Savage, 2nd Earl Rivers, the Steward of Halton. It fell twice to Parliamentarian Roundheads in 1643 and 1646. Runcorn was described as “nothing but a fair parish church, a parsonage and a few scattered tenements”

Industrialisation

Town of Runcorn was a health resort in the late 18th and early 19th century. In 1822 the town’s first Saltwater Baths opened followed by new visitor accommodation in Belvedere Terrace in 1831. Industries began to develop within and around the town, in particular shipbuilding, engineering, chemical manufacturing, tanning, and sandstone quarrying. The town became increasingly dominated by the chemical and tanning industries.

New Town development

Runcorn New Town (Designation) Order allocated 7,750 acres (3,140 ha) in and around Runcorn for development of a new town under the New Towns Act 1946. Runcorn was chosen because of its strong road, rail and canal connections, ample water supply, convenient location on the Mersey Estuary for the disposal of effluent, established industry and availability of land for more. The new town masterplan published in 1966 more than doubled the population as it encompassed neighbouring settlements and created new housing estates.

Runcorn culture & places

Theatre and cinema

The Brindley is a theatre and arts centre which opened in 2004. It contains a proscenium theatre seating 420 and a multi-purpose theatre seating 108. The centre is owned and administered by Halton Borough Council.

Media

Halton Community Radio broadcasts over the Runcorn and Widnes area on the frequency 92.3FM. Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps was set in Runcorn. Norton Priory has been used as a location in historical dramas, sitcoms and children’s programmes.

Literature

The Runcorn Ferry is a monologue written by Marriott Edgar and popularised by Stanley Holloway celebrating the ancient river crossing which existed from the 12th century until the construction of the Transporter Bridge in 1905.

Runcorn economy & business

Manufacturing and chemicals

Inovyn (a wholly owned subsidiary of Ineos) has operated the extensive chemical works in the west of the town. Invoyn manufactures chlorine, caustic soda and chlorinated derivatives. It also produces salt, made from brine transported by pipeline from central Cheshire, and sulphuric acid.

Logistics

Runcorn’s position between Liverpool and Manchester airports has made it a centre for logistics. There are two ports in the west of the town on the Manchester Ship Canal. Weston Point Docks is operated by FLX Logistics.

Services

There has been a shift in employment from manufacturing to service industries. In 1991, 34% worked in the manufacturing sector and 61% in the service sector. By 2004, 17% were in manufacturing jobs and 78% in service jobs. This trend in the local region is demonstrated in this chart.

Runcorn landmarks

Halton Castle is one of two remaining Norman castles in Cheshire, built in 1071 and reconstructed in 13th century. Norton Priory is the most excavated monastic site in Europe, consisting of the ruins of an Abbey, 12th century undercroft and 18th century Walled Garden. The town’s 19th century Anglican churches are also Grade II* listed buildings.

Runcorn geography / climate

Topography

Runcorn is situated on a spur projecting into the River Mersey, which flows to the north and then to the west of the town. The town is bounded to the southwest by the Weaver Navigation; to the south by the Chester–Manchester and Crewe–Liverpool railway lines; and to the east by the West Coast Main Line until the village of Moore. A system of dual carriageways called ‘expressways’ form a figure of 8 around the town, with the Central Expressway being the main through-road.

Geology

The bedrock geology of the River Mersey and the northern and western fringes of Runcorn is Sherwood Sandstone and pebbly sandstone. To the south there is a transition to siltstone, sandstone and predominantly Mercia Mudstone.

Ecology

Floodbrook Clough in Beechwood is an Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland and one of the best examples in Cheshire of clough woodland on keuper marl. Five Local Nature Reserves designated under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949.

You can visit Runcorn places with Walkfo Runcorn to hear history at Runcorn’s places whilst walking around using the free digital tour app. Walkfo Runcorn has 70 places to visit in our interactive Runcorn map, with amazing history, culture & travel facts you can explore the same way you would at a museum or art gallery with information audio headset. With Walkfo, you can travel by foot, bike or bus throughout Runcorn, being in the moment, without digital distraction or limits to a specific walking route. Our historic audio walks, National Trust interactive audio experiences, digital tour guides for English Heritage locations are available at Runcorn places, with a AI tour guide to help you get the best from a visit to Runcorn & the surrounding areas.

“Curated content for millions of locations across the UK, with 70 audio facts unique to Runcorn places in an interactive Runcorn map you can explore.”

Walkfo: Visit Runcorn Places Map
70 tourist, history, culture & geography spots

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Runcorn historic spots	Runcorn tourist destinations	Runcorn plaques	Runcorn geographic features
Walkfo Runcorn tourism map key: places to see & visit like National Trust sites, Blue Plaques, English Heritage locations & top tourist destinations in Runcorn

  

Best Runcorn places to visit

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Runcorn has places to explore by foot, bike or bus. Below are a selection of the varied Runcorn’s destinations you can visit with additional content available at the Walkfo Runcorn’s information audio spots:

Weaver Viaduct Weaver Viaduct is one of the longest concrete viaducts on the British motorway network. It is in the north of Cheshire on the M56 on the Cheshire motorway.

Visit Runcorn plaques