Wigan Travel Guide  

Wigan is a large town in Greater Manchester in the United Kingdom. Wigan is the largest settlement in the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan and its administrative centre. Wigan was known as a major mill town and coal mining district. In 1830, Wigan became one of the first towns in Britain to be served by a railway.
According to the Office for National Statistics, at the time of the United Kingdom Census 2001, Wigan had a population of 81,203, and households of 34,069. The density was 11,474 inhabitants per square mile (4,430/km²). Wigan’s long history is reflected in its 216 listed buildings, of which 20 are Grade II. Wigan has been well known for its popular music. It was the birthplace of The Eight Lancashire Lads, a dancing troupe who gave the young Charlie Chaplin his professional debut. Some of the notable residents of Wigan are Sir Ian McKellen, John Roby, Gerrard Winstanley, and Joe Gormley