Ashton-In-Makerfield: Nature, Architecture and Motorsport

Ashton-In-Makerfield offers several distinct themes to consider when planning a trip: green spaces, ecclesiastical architecture, a historic library and motorsport. If you are looking for a hotel in the area, you can first think about which of these interests you want to shape your stay. Local attractions offer concrete points of reference, from the history of a park to the different periods in which the churches were built.

Parks, wetlands and trails

Jubilee Park consists of two separate areas on either side of Wigan Road (A49), covering a total of 8.5 acres. Its history is connected with Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee: in 1897, the park was renamed on the occasion of its official opening by Lord Gerard. Here, a clearly described layout meets a precisely dated historical connection.

Three Sisters Nature Reserve adds a wetland rich in wildlife to the picture. It also gives visitors access to the larger Wigan Flashes Nature Reserve. The lake is home to goosanders, mute swans, grey herons and kingfishers. Extensive trails are available to walkers, cyclists and horse riders. This means you can explore the nature theme through both the birds on the lake and the different activities on the trails.

The nature reserve can be reached by bus routes 600/602 from Ashton or Wigan. From the Bryn Cross (A49) stop, a short walk along Bryn Road and Lockett Road leads to Three Sisters Road. Check the timetable before you travel. Three Sisters Recreation Area also has extensive parking on Lockett Road in Ashton-In-Makerfield.

Churches and historic architecture

The Roman Catholic Church of St Oswald and St Edmund Arrowsmith was built between 1925 and 1930 in the French Romanesque style and is considered a masterpiece by J Sydney Brocklesby. Its furnishings are also noteworthy: the church has an unusually extensive collection of stained glass by Harry Clarke, an artist from Dublin. It also houses a shrine to the Holy Hand of Saint Edmund Arrowsmith.

Carnegie Library is listed at Grade II and was built in 1905–1906 to a design by the architects J B & W Thornley. Despite modernisations, it has retained many original features, and the interior layout has also undergone few changes. For those interested in architectural history, both its construction period and the preservation of its details offer a focus in their own right.

Another point of reference for architectural history is the Church of St Thomas on Warrington Road. The Grade II listed church dates from 1891–1893. Together with the buildings constructed later, these sites offer a way to consider different periods and types of construction: a church from the late 19th century, a library from the beginning of the 20th century and another church built between 1925 and 1930.

Motorsport at Three Sisters Circuit

Three Sisters Circuit regularly offers sprint and endurance races in a range of formats and durations. The races cater to participants from beginner to experienced racing driver level. If motorsport is the reason for your trip, check the specific event dates for your travel period and compare the formats on offer. The different durations can help you fit this activity into your day’s schedule.

Plan your hotel stay around your interests

Consider which of these interests you want to shape your stay, and compare the details of each hotel’s offering with your travel dates and requirements. If you plan to visit Three Sisters Nature Reserve by bus, checking the timetable is also part of practical day planning.

Discover more destinations: Failsworth, Kearsley, Little Hulton, Horwich, Stretford, Farnworth, Uppermill, Mottram In Longdendale

For the wider travel overview: Greater Manchester.