The Road to Wigan Pier...

Wigan Pier. You’ve probably heard the name. Famous for its industrial roots, literary fame (thanks, George Orwell!), and being the punchline of countless music hall jokes. But what do you picture when you hear the name? A grand pier stretching into the Leeds and Liverpool Canal? Barges moored up, maybe a helter-skelter and a few fairground stalls for good measure?

Well, prepare to be surprised.

Navi the German Shepherd for scale before the current (possible) redevelopment started.

Wigan Pier began life as a simple loading jetty on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, built during the Industrial Revolution to transfer coal from the bustling mining and textile town of Wigan. When the UK’s mining industry collapsed in the 1980s (cheers, Maggie Thatcher), all that remained were echoes of the past—mills, slag heaps, a single pit head gear, and of course, the now-iconic Wigan Pier.

Today, the pier sits in an area that’s seen several waves of redevelopment—some completed, some not, and some... well, who knows whats going on? It’s also the main walking route to Wigan’s Brick Stadium and, fun facts, we danced away many a night in the iconic (long gone) Wigan Pier Nightclub and it’s where we got married back in 1989! These days I'm sure many people stroll past the actual pier without even realising they’ve encountered the legendary Wigan Pier.

On a good day, it’s a photographer’s dream. The original warehouses still stand (possibly mid-redevelopment—again, who knows?). Bridge 51 offers fantastic views—especially if, like us, you have a soft spot for canal bridges (well any bridges!). Just beyond it, you’ll find a lock system, charming canal-side cottages (still lived in—so no garden hopping!), and Trencherfield Mill, home to the huge original steam engine that once powered the entire mill. Sadly, it’s been closed for years, with its future uncertain.

The canal itself on calm days is perfect for reflection shots. There’s even a headless miner statue (courtesy of some local vandalism), and you’ll often spot a canal boat or two making its way to somewhere a little more exotic than Wigan—though that’s not hard!

And the pier? We think it makes a great photo. Hope you do too. (just make sure you don’t fall in!)