Discover St Helens: Glass History, Parks and Historic Trails

St Helens combines urban history, parkland and distinctive trails to create a varied destination. Here you can delve into the history of glassmaking, explore historic walks such as the self-guided Saints Heritage Way, or plan a stay around walks, running routes and wildlife observation. When choosing your holiday apartment, it is therefore particularly useful to consider whether you want to focus on culture and urban history or on parks and longer routes in the surrounding area.

Culture between transport history, glass and theatre

The North West Museum of Road Transport is located in a building erected in 1881 for the city's horse-drawn trams. The museum is just a few minutes' walk from St Helens Central railway station. This means that a museum visit can be combined with travelling by train when planning your day.

In the town centre you will find The World of Glass, a local museum and visitor centre. It focuses on the history of St Helens and the borough, particularly from the perspective of the glass industry. The new Theatre Royal is still in use today and adds another distinctive venue to the town's cultural offering. Those interested in industrial development, regional history and theatre will therefore find different ways to explore St Helens.

Parks for walks, running routes and wildlife observation

Victoria Park is within walking distance of St Helens town centre and covers 14 hectares. A path approximately one mile long runs around its outer edge. For a stay with children or differing interests, this shorter route can allow for a different daily plan than a longer themed trail. The duck pond and the ornamental structure surrounding it have also stood in the park since 1847.

A regular option is St Helens parkrun in Victoria Park: the free, timed 5-km run takes place every Saturday at 9 a.m. Taylor Park has measured paths that can be used for walking, jogging or running. It also offers opportunities to observe waterfowl and other wildlife. This allows you to alternate active parts of the day with quieter wildlife observation according to your plans, without assuming a particular length of stay.

Historic trails in the town and surrounding area

The St Helens Rotary Heritage Trail includes stops with information boards and QR codes. These allow you to access historical information about the respective locations. The Saints Heritage Way is a self-guided walk through 150 years of history of St Helens Rugby Football Club in the town centre. This seven-mile circular route begins at Totally Wicked Stadium, the home of the Saints.

The surrounding area also offers historical and landscape perspectives. The main route through Sankey Valley Country Park begins at Carr Mill Dam and leads through Blackbrook, Haydock, Parr, Earlestown and Newton-le-Willows. Old Double Lock is Britain's oldest example of a flight of locks. The area around St Helens is also home to Windleshaw Chantry, a Grade II listed building dating from around 1415.

When looking for a holiday apartment, you can therefore first determine your preferred travel rhythm: short routes in Victoria Park, sporty 5-km or measured running routes, museums and theatre, or a longer historic walk. St Helens offers an unusual combination of urban history, the glass industry, park experiences and trails in the surrounding area.

Further destinations for orientation

You can also take a look at Southport, Billinge, Knowsley, Birkenhead, Bootle, Whiston, Bold Heath and Newton-le-Willows.

For the higher-level travel overview: Merseyside.