Saint Helens, United Kingdom
Region: Merseyside
Geographic Coordinates: 53.450000, -2.750000
Temperature Range: -5.0°C to 25.0°C (23°F to 77°F)
Climate: Rainy and cool.
Population: 102629
Language: English
St. Helens is a town in Merseyside, North West England, Situated between Liverpool and Manchester. It has a population of approximately 102, 000 people and is renowned for its industrial past, Particularly in glassmaking and coal mining. One of the most prominent landmarks in St. Helens is the World of Glass museum. This museum commemorates the town’s history as one of the world’s principal producers of glassware. Visitors can learn about various techniques used to create glass items throughout time and observe live demonstrations from skilled artisans.
Taylor Park is another popular destination in St. Helens; it’s a large public park with a lake that offers boating activities during summer months. The park also features an animal sanctuary where visitors can see rare breeds of farm animals such as Gloucestershire Old Spot pigs and Jacob sheep. For sports enthusiasts, St. Helens is home to one of England’s most successful rugby league teams: St Helens R.F.C., Who play at Langtree Park stadium. The team has won numerous domestic titles over the years and attracts thousands of fans to each match.
In terms of shopping and dining options, St. Helens provides an array ranging from independent boutiques to high street chains like Primark or H&M, As well as cafes, Restaurants, And pubs serving traditional British cuisine such as fish & chips or Sunday roast dinners. for those interested in history or architecture there are several notable buildings worth visiting including St Mary’s Church which dates back to 1826; Sherdley Hall which was built in 1830; or Sutton Manor Colliery which was once one of Europe’s largest coal mines before it closed down in 1991.
Overall Saint Helens offers visitors an interesting mix between industrial heritage attractions such as World Of Glass museum or Sutton Manor Colliery alongside more modern leisure activities like boating on Taylor Park lake or watching a rugby league game at Langtree Park stadium. The town’s location also makes it an ideal base for exploring the nearby cities of Liverpool and Manchester, Both of which offer a wealth of cultural and historical attractions.
Important Landmarks
- The World of Glass
- St Helens Rugby League Football Club
- Dream sculpture
- Sankey Valley Park
- Taylor Park
- St Helens Town Hall
- The Citadel Arts Centre
- Carr Mill Dam
- Langtree Park Stadium
- Haydock Park Racecourse
Primary Industries
- Region:
- Finance: There are several banks and financial institutions located in Saint Helens that provide a range of financial services to businesses and individuals.
- Technology: The town is home to several technology companies, including those specializing in software development, IT support, and telecommunications.
- Agriculture: Although not as prominent as other industries, agriculture still plays an important role in the local economy with farms producing crops such as wheat and potatoes.
Noteable History
- The eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980 devastated the surrounding area and caused significant loss of life.
- The St Helens Rugby Football Club, established in 1873, has become one of the most successful rugby league teams in England.
- Sir David Gamble, a prominent businessman who co-founded Procter & Gamble, was born in St Helens.
- Pilkington Glass is a major glass manufacturer founded in 1826 that is still headquartered in St Helens today.
- Sutton Manor Colliery was once one of the largest coal mines in Europe and played an important role in the local economy for over a century.
- Comedian Johnny Vegas hails from St Helens and has achieved success both on stage and screen.
- James Keir Hardie gave his first public speech at a political rally at this site – he was the founder of the Labour Party and first Labour MP back in 1892.
- During World War II, this location played a key role due to its strategic position near Liverpool docks and its industrial center for munitions production.
- Notable figures such as actor Stephen Graham and footballer Peter Reid were either born or have resided here.
- Captain Matthew Webb trained for his historic swim across the English Channel at this location – he swam from Dover to Calais within less than 22 hours’ time!
Museums and Things To See
- The World of Glass is a museum and art center that showcases the history of glassmaking in St. Helens.
- The Dream is a 20-meter high sculpture of a miner’s head, located on the site of a former colliery.
- St Helens Rugby League Football Club Museum is dedicated to the town’s rugby league team.
- Carr Mill Dam is a reservoir surrounded by scenic walking trails and home to various bird species.
- Sankey Valley Park offers walking and cycling trails along the Sankey Canal, which played an important role in the Industrial Revolution.
- Church Square Shopping Centre is an indoor shopping center with various shops, restaurants, and entertainment options.
- Taylor Park is a public park with boating lake, play area, and gardens.
- Rainford Gallery & Framing Studio features local artists’ works as well as framing services for artwork or photographs.
- Windleshaw Chantry Chapel is a medieval chapel built in 1558 that visitors can explore its history and architecture.
- Parr Hall is a historic entertainment venue that has hosted many famous performers including The Beatles and David Bowie.
Sports Teams
- St. Helens is recognized for its rugby league team, St. Helens RLFC, which is also known as the Saints. The club was established in 1873 and has a rich history of accomplishments, having won numerous championships and cups throughout the years.
- St. Helens Town FC is a soccer club that was established in 1901 and competes in the North West Counties Football League.
- Moreover, there are several amateur rugby union clubs located in St. Helens including St.Helens RUFC and Ruskin Park RFC.
- Besides team sports, St. Helens also boasts numerous individual sports clubs such as the St.Helens Triathlon Club and Sutton Harriers Running Club.
Cultural Events
- St Helens Christmas Lights Switch-On
- St Helens Food and Drink Festival
- St Helens Theatre Royal Pantomime
- St Helens International Film Festival
- Rainford Beer and Gin Festival
- Thatto Heath Summer Fair
- Newton-le-Willows Family Fun Day
- Haydock Races Music Nights
- Bold Street Festival
- St Helens Pride
Cuisine
- The Shankly Hotel is a restaurant that serves British cuisine with a modern twist.
- The Talbot Restaurant is a family-owned restaurant that offers traditional British dishes like fish and chips, steak pie, and roast dinners.
- Cravings Dessert Lounge is a dessert bar that serves delicious cakes, ice creams, waffles and crepes.
- The Glass House Restaurant is an elegant restaurant serving contemporary European cuisine using locally sourced ingredients.
- The Spice Garden Indian Restaurant is one of the best Indian restaurants in St Helens offering authentic Indian dishes with unique flavors and spices.
- Chilli Banana Thai Street Food specializes in authentic Thai curries and noodle dishes.
- Vito’s Italian Restaurant serves homemade pasta dishes and other Italian specialties.
- San Lorenzo Ristorante & Pizzeria is an Italian family-run restaurant serving pizza made from scratch.
- The Raj Indian Cuisine is a popular curry house in St.Helens known for its spicy curries.
- Balti Spice Indian Takeaway is another famous curry house in St.Helens known for its Balti curries.
Parks and Recreation
- Sherdley Park is a large public park that offers a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy. The park features a lake, playgrounds, sports facilities, and walking trails.
- Taylor Park is another popular park in the area that offers plenty of recreational opportunities. Visitors can enjoy the lake, tennis courts, mini-golf course, and children’s play area.
- Sankey Valley Park is a nature reserve that runs alongside the Sankey Canal. The park offers walking and cycling paths for visitors to explore while enjoying the beautiful scenery.
- Carr Mill Dam is an artificial lake that provides fishing and boating opportunities for those who love spending time on the water.
- Sutton Leisure Centre is an indoor sports facility equipped with swimming pools, gymnasiums and fitness classes to help visitors stay active.
- St Helens Rugby League Club plays at Langtree Park stadium which attracts many fans from all over town as well as tourists looking to experience local sport culture.
- Windleshaw Chantry Heritage Centre was once an 18th-century chapel but has been converted into a museum showcasing local history and culture through various exhibits.
- St Helens Canal Boat Tours offer guided boat tours on the Sankey Canal where visitors can learn about the town’s industrial heritage while enjoying scenic views from aboard their boats.
- Phoenix Sports & Social Club caters to multiple sports enthusiasts by offering football pitches, cricket fields as well as other activities like darts etc.
- The World of Glass is a museum dedicated entirely to showcasing glass making process from Roman times up till present day with interactive exhibits allowing you to learn about how glass production has evolved throughout history.