Historic Sites in Westhoughton

"The World Museum in Liverpool is a free Museum five minutes walk from Liverpool Lime Street. There is a planetarium on the top floor which you need to book tickets for (worth doing when you arrive),  an aquarium, a masks display,  dinosaur exhibition, bug house and natural history centre to name a few. There is a picnic area on floor 4 and the Clore Natural History Centre is also a good place to while away some time."

"The World Museum is the learning hotspot of the city for tourists and locals alike. Be it science, technology, history, art, astronomy, the World Museum covers it all. Beside the free entry, the plus point of the place is the in-house gift shop and cafe appreciated by the enthusiastic kids who you will find running around the place."

"Natural history, science and technology are the themes of the oldest museum in town, which opened in 1853. Its exhibits range from live bugs to human anthropology. This vastly entertaining and educational museum..."

"Original use: Many regard Speke Hall, a beautiful Tudor manor house, as one of the finest surviving Liverpool buildings of its kind. The hall was originally created for the Norris family, who owned the property for many generations. Construction began on the wood-framed manor house in 1530, with some buildings on the site built even earlier and incorporated into the property."

"Outside the city centre, Speke Hall dates from the Tudor period, recognisable from its black and white timber appearance. Croxteth Hall also has ties to this era, with one of its wings dating back to 1575 (though the majority of the building was completed in the 18th and 19th centuries)."

"On the edge of an industrial estate and just minutes away from the Liverpool Airport, the half-timbered black and white Speke Hall is a piece of history tucked in among modern-day Liverpool."

"Kids from age four are going to enjoy exploring this property on 32 acres of picturesque parkland. It offers an ideal space for picnics, kickabouts, and there are bouncy slide and trampolines, pitch n putt, and other outdoor activities that will keep the children busy. Also available for exploration in the garden is the children’s zoo, where they will meet parrots, shetland ponies, ferrets, chipmunks, rabbits, Herdwick sheep, chickens, pygmy goats, red squirrels, geese, guinea pigs, and ducks."

"Lavish Elizabethan-style hall with ornamental gardens, including picnic areas, a kids' zoo and cafe. Address : Walton Lea Rd, Higher Walton, Warrington WA4 6SN, United Kingdom"

"At 20 Forthlin Road and 251 Menlove Avenue, you’ll be able to stand in the exact spots where Paul McCartney and John Lennon (respectively) wrote some of the Beatles’ biggest hits. Both homes are now National Trust attractions, and have been kept as they would have been in the 1950s and 60s. These recommendations were updated on August 24, 2020 to keep your travel plans fresh."

"Before he founded the Scout Movement, Robert Baden-Powell set up the Salford Lads’ Club in Ordsall in 1903. The idea behind clubs like these was to keep young boys in deprived areas out of trouble, and channel their energy into constructive pursuits and sport. The list of former members here is illustrious and includes the actor Albert Finney, the Busby Babe Eddie Colman and guitarist Graham Nash of the Hollies and Crosby, Stills and Nash."

"This one is a bit of a trek from the Manchester city center (we went here as part of a private black cab taxi tour of the city), but it is a must-visit spot for music fans. Devotees of The Smiths come from all over the world to recreate their famous photo take in front of the Salford Lads Club for the inside sleeve of their 1986 album, The Queen is Dead. Go have your own Morrissey moment!"

"Designated as a Grade II listed building, one third of the famous Three Graces, stands the amazing Port of Liverpool Building. Situated at the Pier Head and, along with the neighbouring Royal Liver Building and Cunard Building It is also part of Liverpool’s UNESCO-designated World Heritage Maritime Mercantile City. Designed in the Edwardian Baroque style, the Port of Liverpool Building is quite monumental in its physical structure, particularly noted for its large impressive dome, which acts as the focal point of the rectangular building."

"Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Rept0n1x used under CC BY-SA 3.0. Commonly known as the Dock Office, Port of Liverpool Building features an Edwardian Baroque architectural style, with a large dome at the top, and it has canted corners embellished with stone cupolas. It is among Liverpool’s “Three Graces” together with the Royal Building Liverpool and the Cunard Building, which are in the Pier Head waterfront."

"The southernmost of 'Three Graces', the trio of Edwardian buildings at Pier Head, the Port of Liverpool building was completed in 1907. Its dome mimics St Paul's Cathedral."

"You can walk along the canal, through the Castlefield Urban Heritage Park on your way to the Museum of Science and Industry. Castlefield Urban Heritage Park. Admire the old industrial buildings, soak up the atmosphere of the canal, and see how Manchester used to be in years gone by."

"Creative, colourful and undoubtedly collectable, whether you’re after keepsakes, candles or cute baby clothes The Nest is home to a showcase of high-quality Liverpool-born Art and Design. The lovely folks you’ll meet behind the counter say they want to offer something a little bit special without it having to be exclusive or expensive, which we think is pretty much everything you need in an indie."

"Discover The Nest on the Royal Albert Dock on your next shopping trip to pick up arts and crafts by local artists. There's everything from prints, ceramics, jewellery, textiles and all sorts of other items for you to explore. View this post on Instagram"

"Built in the early 19th century for Nicholas Robinson who was the Mayor of Liverpool then, the house later became the place of residence of George Holt in the early 1880s. Today the house is a museum for George Holt’s amazing collection of paintings along with the whole house as a museum for the famous Victorian merchant himself!"

"Obstructions, Castlefield Gallery’s locked-down exhibition, will open for just five days from 19–23 May. Originally due to open on Saturday 21 November 2020, and only able to welcome visitors in the virtual realm since then, the exhibition was conceived during what now feels like the early days of the pandemic. 15 artists from the North West of England were invited to remake an existing piece of their work with one condition: they had to accept a bespoke ‘obstruction’ given to them by another artist in the exhibition."

"Lurking as it does behind Deansgate Station, it’s easy to miss this quirky platform for emerging artists but it's worth seeking out. The primary emphasis at Castlefield Gallery is niche projects that have international relevance, exploring topics such as the role of art in society through collaborations with local organisations like Madlab. A registered charity, it also has a members’ scheme."

"Located in Manchester’s city centre, Castlefield Gallery is an art gallery and agency showcasing new and contemporary fine art while also running a scheme for career development for contemporary artists."

"East Avenue Bakehouse is an American-style restaurant known for its wholesome mix of drinks and dishes, and is perfect for those wishing to try something which departs from the standard breakfast dishes available in the city. With quirky and vintage interiors, such as a bike hanging from the ceiling and cutlery stored in golden syrup tins, this bakehouse is an inviting and rather authentic representation of New York. With fresh local produce of a high quality and a generous variety of breakfast dishes, East Avenue Bakehouse maintains its admirable reputation."

"Situated at the top of Liverpool’s thriving Bond Street, the East Avenue Bakehouse is perfect placed for shoppers, commuters and visitors to the city to enjoy. Offering freshly baked breads and the very best local produce, breakfasts here are hearty and healthy. Choose from Loch Fyne smoked salmon &eggs, English muffins with gammon, smoked bacon lardons with Bury black pudding or Local Old Rainford sausage and any way eggs."

"East Avenue Bakehouse is a kooky Bold Street eatery serving a selection of delicious homemade dishes in an unrivalled relaxed atmosphere. Every Sunday, this popular restaurant serves a traditional roast dinner using only the best local and seasonal produce from 12pm onwards. The Sunday roast is a classic with tender slices of meat, accompanied by all the trimmings and covered in lashings of gravy."

"One of the nation’s favourite bakeries, Greggs offers a huge range of sandwiches, baguettes, pasties and bakery treats all in one store."

"San Carlo is an award-winning, elegant Italian restaurant which has been here on Castle Street long before it became a popular dining district. With amazing seafood and authentic Italian dishes from pizzas, pastas to steak and lobster, San Carlo is a special experience. Of all the Castle Street restaurants and bars San Carlo is an institution!"

"Liverpool’s San Carlo is a bit different to the rest of their venues in that it’s not a theme restaurant but a highly lavish Italain venue for lovers of fine food. Their range of pasta and sauces will have you spoilt for choice and you’ll leave wanting to return back for more. View this post on Instagram"

"San Carlo is the perfect restaurant for high-end Italian dining. The restaurant itself is contemporary in feel, with a bright and sleek look creating an unbeatable atmosphere for relaxed dinners and special occasions. At San Carlo, the focus is on the quality of the food."

"Much-loved across the UK, San Carlo is known for their delicious Italian food – each dish as beautiful as the next. The food is well presented and served in a bright, well-dressed setting with lots to choose from. There are five venues to choose from in Manchester alone, including Bottega (their cocktail and champagne bar), Cicchetti (which serves up small plates), Fumo (a stunning space to grab beautiful meals all day long), Gran Cafe (their cafe), and the main San Carlo (which has a huge menu!)."

"San Carlo is Manchester’s most famous and, some say, best Italian restaurant. Run by the Distefano family, it’s said to have one of the largest turnovers in the UK. It’s also the place to be papped and there’s usually a bank of photographers outside to prove the point."

"There are now more than 40 Jamie’s Italian restaurants, but the one closest to home is on King Street.in the city centre."