Discover Ashton-In-Makerfield: Nature, History and Motor Racing

Ashton-In-Makerfield combines experiences in nature, remarkable buildings and active motorsport to create a diverse destination. Between wetlands, historic churches and listed architecture, you can plan different kinds of holiday days: one with birdlife and long walks in the countryside, another with stained glass, library history or racing at the Three Sisters Circuit.

Nature between Jubilee Park and Three Sisters

A characteristic location is Jubilee Park. The park consists of two separate areas on either side of Wigan Road (A49) and covers a total of 8.5 acres. Jubilee Park was renamed in 1897 at the official opening by Lord Gerard to mark Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. Anyone interested in local history will therefore find here not only a green space, but also a tangible connection to the development of Ashton-In-Makerfield.

The Three Sisters Nature Reserve is particularly varied. This wetland nature reserve is known for its diverse wildlife and gives visitors access to the larger Wigan Flashes Nature Reserve. The lake is home to goosanders, mute swans, grey herons and kingfishers, among others. Extensive paths are available to walkers, cyclists and horse riders. This means that your stay can be shaped around a quieter, more active or more nature-focused experience, without all travellers having to follow the same daily itinerary.

Architectural heritage and special stories

The Roman Catholic Church of St Oswald and St Edmund Arrowsmith was built between 1925 and 1930 in the French Romanesque style and is regarded as a masterpiece by J Sydney Brocklesby. Inside is an unusually extensive collection of stained glass by the Dublin-born artist Harry Clarke. The church also houses a shrine to the Holy Hand of Saint Edmund Arrowsmith. This combination of architecture, art and religious tradition makes it a distinctive cultural feature to consider when planning your trip.

Another historic attraction is the Church of St Thomas on Warrington Road. The church was built in 1891–1893 and is listed as a Grade II building. The Carnegie Library complements the architectural setting: it was built in 1905–1906 to a design by the architects J B & W Thornley and is also listed as a Grade II building. Despite modernisations, it retains many original fixtures and fittings as well as an interior layout that has undergone little change.

Active days at the Three Sisters Circuit

If you would like to experience motorsport alongside nature and history, the Three Sisters Circuit offers regular sprint and endurance races. The events take place in various formats and over different durations, catering for participants ranging from beginners to experienced racers.

The Three Sisters Nature Reserve can be reached from Ashton or Wigan by bus routes 600/602. From the Bryn Cross stop on the A49, a short walk via Bryn Road and Lockett Road leads to Three Sisters Road. In addition, the Three Sisters Recreation Area on Lockett Road in Ashton-In-Makerfield has extensive parking areas. This information will help you include the journey to the natural area in your plans when choosing a holiday apartment or holiday house based on your preferred daily itinerary.

Discover Ashton-In-Makerfield as a base for your trip

When looking for accommodation, it is worth first identifying your own priorities. Those interested in nature can take the wetlands, lake and paths of the Three Sisters Nature Reserve into account. Visitors who prefer cultural experiences will find several different themes in the two churches and the Carnegie Library: French Romanesque architecture, stained glass by Harry Clarke, religious history and preserved library details. For a more active stay, the Three Sisters Circuit provides an additional experience in its own right.

If you would then like to compare further destinations in the wider selection, you can find Dukinfield, Middleton, Horwich, Romiley, Bramhall, Uppermill, Dobcross and Kearsley here.

For the wider travel overview: Greater Manchester.