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Runcorn, Cheshire, England. View of the library funded by Andrew Carnegie: Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Runcorn_Library_1.jpgAuthor: Peter I. Vardy
Runcorn is an industrial town in the borough of Halton, in Cheshire, England. It is located on the southern bank of the River Mersey, where it narrows into the Runcorn Gap, with the town of Widnes on the opposite bank. Runcorn has a population of around 61,000 people (2012 estimate).
Although the town has been mentioned as early as the Anglo-Saxon period, over a thousand years ago, it remained a small town until the 19th century, when the Industrial Revolution brought rapid development. The town manufacture soap, and was a center for shipbuilding, engineering and tanning. Some of these industries eventually died away into the 20th century, though it remained an important center for chemicals and tanning.
Runcorn also developed as a cargo port. Rail links were established connecting it with Liverpool and other parts of the country. The Manchester Ship Canal was built to pass through it in 1894. In 1905 the Widnes-Runcorn Transporter Bridge was completed, providing easy access across the River Mersey.
Today Runcorn remains an important center for the chemical industry, represented by ICI. At the same time the town has moved away from manufacturing towards service industries.
Visiting Runcorn
Coming from Manchester, take the M56 motorway to Junction 12, then continue north on the A557 road to Runcorn.
Senechal's House, Runcorn: Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Senechal%27s_House_2.jpgAuthor: Peter I. Vardy
Places of Interest in Runcorn
- All Saints Church, Runcorn: Anglican parish church, today a Grade II listed building. It dates to AD 915. Present structure dates to 1849.
- Christ Church, Weston Point: Former parish church, now a Grade II listed building. This now redundant church was completed in 1841 in the Gothic Revival style.
- Halton Castle: Ruins of a caslte that was the seat of the Barons of Halton from the 11th to the 14th century. It is today a Grade I listed building.
- Holy Trinity Church, Runcorn: Anglican parish church, now a Grade II listed building, completed in 1838 in the Gothic Revival style.
- Norton Priory: Remains of an abbey complex from the 12th to the 16th centuries. It was demolished following the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1536.
- Seneschal's House: Oldest standing building in Runcoln, built in 1598, now a Grade II listed building.
- St John the Evangelist's Church, Weston: Anglican parish church in Weston, Runcorn, now a Grade II listed building. It was completed in 1898 in the Gothic Revival style.
- St Mary's Church, Halton: Anglican parish church in Halton village, Runcorn, today a Grade II listed building. It was completed in 1852 in the Gothic Revival style.
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