Runcorn

The industrial inland port of Runcorn is a treasure trove of architectural styles, from medieval ruins to 1970s utopia. Its impressive bridges across the River Mersey mark the gateway north to cosmopolitan Liverpool and south to leafy Cheshire. Very much off the tourist trail, this town of 62,000 people (2021) nonetheless has some surprising hidden gems for curious urban explorers.

Understand
Runcorn was founded in 915 AD as a Mercian fortress to guard against Viking invasion at a narrowing of the River Mersey. The earliest written reference to the town is in the medieval Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, where it is spelled "Rumcofan", literally meaning 'a wide cove or bay'. To this day, there is a friendly rivalry with the townsfolk of Widnes to the Viking north.

Runcorn was a small, poor village until the industrial revolution in the 18th century when the extension of the Bridgewater Canal to the town made it an industrial hub.

Although an ancient settlement, it was designated a 'new town' in the 1960s and greatly expanded eastwards, swallowing neighbouring settlements. Idealistic planners created a brand new town centre with 'Shopping City', an Amercian style mall, at its heart. So Runcorn effectively has two town centres; the 'Old Town' and 'The City'.

By plane
The town is well placed between the North West's two main international airports; Liverpool John Lennon Airport and Manchester Airport. Both are easily accessible via the road and railway networks. Use Runcorn station for services to Liverpool John Lennon Airport and Runcorn East station for Manchester Airport.

By train
Runcorn has two railway stations:



By car
Runcorn is well connected to the motorway network. To the south is the M56 motorway to Manchester, Chester and North Wales. The M6 lies to the east and the M62 is to the north in the neighbouring town of Widnes.

The two road bridges across the Mersey for Liverpool are tolled. There are no toll booths but you must pay the toll to Merseyflow online by midnight the following day or face a £40 penalty.

By bus
There are good bus connections with neighbouring cities and towns, including Liverpool, Chester, Widnes, Frodsham and Warrington.

There are two main bus interchanges. One is in the Old Town near the railway station and the other at Shopping City.

By boat
The town has two canals. The Manchester Ship Canal is not open to non-commercial traffic, but the Bridgewater Canal is open to public use and is popular with pleasure boaters. The Bridgewater Canal terminates in Runcorn Old Town but there are plans to reopen the flight of locks to connect the Bridgewater Canal with the Manchester Ship Canal and the River Weaver Navigation, creating a second Cheshire ring.

There are two canal boat docks in Runcorn. Waterloo Junction is the main dock in Runcorn Old Town. The second dock is privately owned and is located further west. It can be accessed from Halton Road. Bridgewater Motor Boat Club is based in Runcorn and can give advice on moorings in the town.

By bus
When Runcorn New Town was built, a system of dedicated busways was constructed, completely separate from the road network. This makes getting around by bus fast and easy.

There are two main bus interchanges. One is in the Old Town near the railway station and the other at Shopping City.

By car
Getting around Runcorn by car is easy using the high-speed dual carriageway system which surrounds the town in a figure of 8. Each area of the town has its own junction. The network is so well designed that traffic congestion is unheard of.

By foot or bicycle
Runcorn is spread out but walking and cycling in Runcorn can be a real pleasure. Because Runcorn is a planned New Town, it was designed so that pedestrians and vehicles are kept totally separate.

The Bridgewater Canal forms a lovely walk from east to west. In fact, you can walk all the way from Runcorn railway station to Runcorn East station just following the canal towpath, though it is a fair distance. Town Park in the east forms a pedestrian link between all the communities in that area. It links to Runcorn Shopping City by raised walkways meaning you never have to cross a busy road.

Wigg Island is a popular cycle route. The route is not open to cars and you can cycle all the way to neighbouring Warrington following the Manchester Ship Canal. Many people cycle a loop starting from Wigg Island, to Warrington, across the River Mersey, follow the Mersey back along Spike Island in Widnes, cross the Silver Jubilee Bridge and back to Wigg Island.

See






Runcorn is often used as a filming location for TV programmes so you may recognise some settings such as the old Waterloo Pub - now a Buddhist temple - from Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps.

Learn
There are two public libraries; one at the Shopping City and one in the Old Town.

Cafes, bakeries and lunchtime meals
These eateries are not open in the evenings but are ideal for a quick bite at lunchtime.

Restaurants and gastropubs
Most evening meal restaurants are in the Old Town but there are good pub restaurants isolated in various parts of the town which are worth seeking out.

Fast food
Big name fast food outlets are concentrated around Runcorn Shopping City, many of which are drive throughs. Smaller independent take aways, burger joints and fish & chip shops can be found in the Old Town.



Drink
The main area for nightlife is in the Old Town where the bars and pubs are busiest on Friday and Saturday evenings, but there are pubs dotted across Runcorn where you can get a quiet drink. If you like historic surroundings then be sure to check out the pubs in Halton Village.

Mid-range
These are mostly situated on the outskirts of Runcorn so best only if you're driving or happy to get a bus or taxi into the town.

Stay safe
Runcorn is generally safe during the day. As in most town centres, the Old Town can attract drunken behaviour at night, particularly at weekends which sometimes leads to violence. Some areas have high levels of poverty and bad reputations for crime, including parts of Halton Lodge, Halton Brook, Palacefields and Murdishaw.

The local police force is Cheshire Constabulary and Runcorn Police Station is adjacent to the Shopping City. Call 101 for non-emergencies and 999 for emergencies.

Connect
As of Oct 2022, Runcorn and its approach roads have 4G from O2 and Three, and 5G from EE and Vodafone.

Go next

 * Daresbury is a small village on the outskirts of Runcorn to the east and is well worth a visit if you're in the area. It is the birthplace of Lewis Carroll, author of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. All Saints' Church hosts a visitor centre dedicated to his life and works.


 * Liverpool - This port city is home to a thriving shopping, night life and cultural scene. Home to the Beatles and two famous football clubs. Easily accessible by bus or by train from Runcorn station.


 * Chester - A beautiful historical city on the River Dee, which is famous for its Roman ruins and city walls. It is also the gateway to North Wales and the delights of Llandudno and Snowdonia National Park. It is a short journey by train from Runcorn or Runcorn East.