Not Around Preston

Warrington is midway between Liverpool and Manchester, pretty much where the M62 crosses the M6. It became important in the industrial revolution, like so many towns in the area, but had a second boom when it was designated as a "new town" in 1968. The first UK IKEA opened in Warrington! It is also home to the transporter bridge I visited last year . Perhaps the most impressive sight is the Golden Gates. These were built for Queen Victoria, and unveiled at the International Exhibition of 1862. But behind them was a statue of Oliver Cromwell, and the Queen's courtiers consequently steered her away from the gates. A Warrington councilor and ironmaster heard they were going cheap, and so purchased them to stand in front of the town hall. The town hall was originally a mansion, built in 1750 for for local merchant Thomas Patten. There are a surprising number of Georgian buildings. These are just to the east of the town hall. And south of them is Palmyra Square. On the east si...

Birkenhead is a town on the Wirral, across the Mersey from Liverpool. Wiki tells us: Distanced from the Industrial Revolution in Liverpool by the physical barrier of the River Mersey, Birkenhead retained its agricultural status until the advent of steam ferry services. In 1817 a steam ferry service started from Liverpool to Tranmere and in 1822 the paddle steamer Royal Mail began operation between Liverpool and Woodside. Today it has a rather run down feel to it, I suspect because it is too easy for people to visit Liverpool instead. It was a major port at one time, and though it has declined, it does seem to still be active. Active ports have high security, so not much photos of that, so here is Egerton Dock, which is not in use. Note the Bascule bridge; these seem common in the Liverpool docks. The tower to the left is a ventilation shaft for the Mersey Tunnel - more on that later. The Bascule bridge again. The lowest bridge across the Mersey is at Runcorn, nearly 12 miles away, but ...