Warrington's Victoria Park built on old Mersey riverbed

Summarised from Warrington Guardian's report · Updated 5 Nov, 22:34 · Archive

Victoria Park in Warrington was created on land reclaimed from a former bend in the River Mersey.

Victoria Park in Warrington occupies land that was once part of the River Mersey. Before the 18th century, the river swept through Latchford in a great looping bend known officially as Old Warps. The slow current caused silt to gather, and vessels regularly became stranded on mudbanks, earning the area a grim reputation among those who worked the water transporting goods between Liverpool, Warrington and Manchester.

In 1724, engineers cut off the troublesome loop to improve navigation. The abandoned riverbed gradually filled with silt and soil, and a grassy estate emerged with a Georgian manor house. Warrington Council purchased the estate in 1895 and opened it as a public park two years later as part of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee celebrations. The Georgian house later served as a maternity home and care home before becoming a restored venue. The park has since become one of Warrington's principal places for recreation and community gatherings, hosting an athletic stadium, football matches and family events.

Read the report

• How a notorious bend in the Mersey became Warrington's Victoria ParkDiscover how Warrington's Victoria Park emerged from a notorious bend in the River Mersey once known as 'Hell Hole'.Warrington Guardian · 5 Nov, 17:00

In this story: Warrington · River Mersey · Liverpool · Manchester · Queen Victoria · Warrington Council

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