View source for Runcorn

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{{Use British English|date=July 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{good article}}
{{Infobox UK place
| country                  = England
| static_image_name        = Silver Jubilee Bridge, Runcorn at night (geograph 4431283).jpg
| static_image_caption     = The [[Silver Jubilee Bridge]] in Runcorn
| official_name            = Runcorn
| type                     = Town
| coordinates              = {{coord|53.3417|-2.7313|type:city_region:GB-HAL|display=inline,title}}
| london_distance          = {{cvt|167|mi|km}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://boulter.com/gps/distance/?from=53.328+-2.712&to=51.507+-0.127&units=m |title=Coordinate Distance Calculator |work=boulter.com |access-date=8 March 2016 |archive-date=8 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308233537/http://boulter.com/gps/distance/?from=53.328+-2.712&to=51.507+-0.127&units=m |url-status=live}}</ref>
| london_direction         = SE
| population               = 61,145
| population_ref           = (Built-up area, 2021)<ref name="2021 Census">{{cite web |title=Towns and cities, characteristics of built-up areas, England and Wales: Census 2021 |url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/housing/articles/townsandcitiescharacteristicsofbuiltupareasenglandandwales/census2021 |website=Census 2021 |publisher=Office for National Statistics |access-date=8 August 2023}}</ref>
| population_demonym       = Runcornian
| statistic_title          = 
| statistic                = 
| statistic_title1         = 
| statistic1               = 
| statistic_title2         = 
| statistic2               = 
| unitary_england          = [[Borough of Halton|Halton]]
| region = North West England
| lieutenancy_england      = [[Cheshire]]
| constituency_westminster = [[Runcorn and Helsby (UK Parliament constituency)|Runcorn and Helsby]]
| post_town                = RUNCORN
| postcode_area            = WA
| postcode_district        = WA7
| dial_code                = 01928
| os_grid_reference        = SJ 5140 8300
}}

'''Runcorn''' is an industrial town and [[Runcorn Docks|cargo port]] within the [[Borough of Halton]] in [[Cheshire]], England. It lies on the south bank of the [[River Mersey]], where the estuary narrows to form the [[Runcorn Gap]], and is located approximately {{convert|15|miles|km|0}} southeast of [[Liverpool]] and {{convert|29|miles|km|0}} southwest of [[Manchester]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Runcorn {{!}} Industrial Town, River Mersey, Cheshire {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Runcorn |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=www.britannica.com}}</ref> The Runcorn built-up area had a population of 61,145 at the [[2021 United Kingdom census|2021 census]].

Runcorn was founded by [[Æthelflæd|Æthelflæd of Mercia]] in 915 AD as a fortification against the [[Viking invasion of England|Viking invasion]] at a narrowing of the River Mersey.<ref>{{Harvnb|Nickson|1887|pp=6–13.}}</ref> Under [[Norman England|Norman rule]], Runcorn fell under the [[Halton (barony)|Barony of Halton]] and an [[Augustinians|Augustinian]] abbey was established there in 1115.<ref name="Greene 1989 1–9">{{Harvnb|Greene|1989|pp=1–9.}}</ref> It remained a small and isolated settlement until the [[Industrial Revolution]], when the 1776 extension of the [[Bridgewater Canal]] to Runcorn established it as a port linking coastal Liverpool with inland Manchester and [[Staffordshire]].<ref name="Starkey 1983 19–24">{{Harvnb|Starkey|1983|pp=19–24.}} and {{Harvnb|Starkey|1990|pp=125–130.}}</ref> The docks enabled the growth of industry, initially shipwrights and sandstone quarries; in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, it was a spa and health resort, but this ended with the growth of polluting industries, especially soap and chemical works.<ref name="Starkey 1990 133–137">{{Harvnb|Starkey|1990|pp=133–137.}}</ref> In 1964, Runcorn was designated a [[New towns in the United Kingdom|new town]] and expanded eastward, absorbing neighbouring settlements and more than doubling its population.<ref name="New Town Masterplan">{{cite book |last=Ling |first=Arthur |author-link=Arthur Ling |oclc=311425 |url=http://www4.halton.gov.uk/Pages/planning/policyguidance/pdf/evidencebase/Area%2520Specific%2520Evidence/RuncornNewTown/Runcorn_New_Town_Masterplan_(1967).pdf |date=1967 |title=Runcorn New Town Master Plan |publisher=Runcorn Development Corporation |access-date=25 February 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180621015846/http://www4.halton.gov.uk/Pages/planning/policyguidance/pdf/evidencebase/Area%20Specific%20Evidence/RuncornNewTown/Runcorn_New_Town_Masterplan_(1967).pdf |archive-date=21 June 2018}}</ref>

The [[Silver Jubilee Bridge]], [[Mersey Gateway]], and [[Runcorn Railway Bridge]] span the River Mersey and the [[Manchester Ship Canal]] in Runcorn. Its location between Liverpool and Manchester and its links to the rail, motorway, and canal networks have made it a major centre for the manufacturing, logistics, and wholesale and retail industries.<ref name="2011 Census Halton key statistics profile">{{cite web |url=https://www3.halton.gov.uk/Pages/councildemocracy/pdfs/CensusandStatistics/Census2011_SpineCharts.pdf |title=2011 Census Halton key statistics profile |author=Halton Borough Council |website=Census and Statistics |access-date=31 October 2019 |archive-date=19 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819103319/https://www3.halton.gov.uk/Pages/councildemocracy/pdfs/CensusandStatistics/Census2011_SpineCharts.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==History==
===Early history===
The earliest written reference to the town is in the ''[[Anglo-Saxon Chronicle]]'', where it is spelled "Rumcofan", literally meaning "a wide cove or bay". This word is derived from the [[Old English language|Old English]] words "rúm" ("wide" or "broad") and "cofa" ("cave" or "cove"). Other historical spellings of Runcorn include "Rumcoven", "Ronchestorn", "Runckhorne", and "Runcorne".<ref>{{Harvnb|Nickson|1887|p=5.}} and {{Harvnb|Starkey|1990|p=4.}}</ref>

Little is known about the early history of the settlement but isolated findings of objects from the [[Stone Age|Stone]], [[Bronze Age|Bronze]], and [[Iron Age]]s have been made and there is evidence of a [[Roman Empire|Roman]] presence in the area.<ref>{{Harvnb|Starkey|1990|pp=1–4.}}</ref>

The first recorded event in its history is the building by [[Æthelflæd]] of a fortification at Runcorn to protect the northern frontier of her kingdom of [[Mercia]] against the [[Viking]]s in 915. The fort was built on Castle Rock overlooking the River Mersey at Runcorn Gap.<ref>{{Harvnb|Nickson|1887|pp=6–13.}} The foundations of the fort were discovered during the building of the railway bridge but were covered by an abutment of the bridge.</ref>

===Medieval===
[[File:Runcorn church 1846.jpg|thumb|Runcorn's medieval parish church, demolished and rebuilt 1847–1849 as [[All Saints' Church, Runcorn|All Saints' Church]]]]
Following the [[Norman Conquest]], Runcorn was not mentioned in the 1086 [[Domesday Book|Domesday]] survey, although surrounding settlements were. [[William I of England|William the Conqueror]] granted the [[Earl of Chester|earldom of Chester]] to [[Hugh d'Avranches, 1st Earl of Chester|Hugh d'Avranches]], who granted the barony of Halton to Nigel of Cotentin. It is likely that Nigel erected a [[motte and bailey]] castle on Halton Hill in the 1070s.<ref>{{Harvnb|Starkey|1990|pp=7–8.}}</ref>

In 1115, Nigel's son, [[William fitz Nigel]], founded an [[Augustinian priory]] at [[Runcorn Priory|Runcorn]]. In 1134, the priory was moved to Norton, about {{convert|3+1/2|mi|km|0|abbr=off}} away. In 1391, the priory was raised to the higher status of [[abbey]].<ref name="Greene 1989 1–9"/> In 1536, the [[Dissolution of the Monasteries|monastery was dissolved]], and around nine years later, the buildings and some of the monastic lands were sold to Sir [[Richard Brooke (Norton)|Richard Brooke]] who converted the habitable part of the abbey into a house.<ref>{{Harvnb|Greene|1989|p=151.}} and {{Harvnb|Nickson|1887|p=39.}}</ref>

In 1565, [[Rocksavage]], an Elizabethan Hall, was constructed for Sir John Savage in Clifton, now part of Runcorn.<ref name=ioe>{{NHLE |num=1330365 |desc=Remains of Rock Savage |access-date=4 April 2015|mode=cs2}}</ref>

===English Civil War===
[[File:Halton Castle engraving.jpg|thumb|An engraving of the slighted Halton Castle in the 18th century]]
During the [[English Civil War|Civil War]], [[Halton Castle]] was held for the [[Cavaliers|Royalists]] by [[John Savage, 2nd Earl Rivers]], the [[Steward (office)|Steward]] of Halton. It fell twice to Parliamentarian [[Roundheads]]. The first siege was led by [[Sir William Brereton, 1st Baronet|Sir William Brereton]] in 1643; the second was in 1644. Following this, a "Council of War" was held in Warrington in 1646 at which it was decided that the castle should be [[Slighting|slighted]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Starkey|1990|pp=57–58.}}</ref>

In 1656, Runcorn was described as "nothing but a fair parish church, a parsonage and a few scattered tenements".<ref>King, Daniel, ''The Vale Royal of England'', 1656 (quoted in {{Harvnb|Starkey|1990|p=73.}}).</ref> And so it remained for over a century, an isolated and poor hamlet. The only through traffic used the ferry which crossed from Runcorn to the north bank of the River Mersey.

===Industrialisation===
During the 18th century, water transport had been improved in the area by the [[Mersey and Irwell Navigation]], the [[Bridgewater Canal]] and the [[Trent and Mersey Canal]]. This gave Runcorn waterway connections with most of the interior of England through the canal system and with the sea along the River Mersey, thus forming the basis for the development of the Port of Runcorn.<ref name="Starkey 1983 19–24"/>

Later came the [[Runcorn to Latchford Canal]] linking with the Mersey and Irwell Navigation, and the Weston Canal which gave better access to the [[River Weaver|Weaver Navigation]] system.<ref>{{Harvnb|Starkey|1990|p=173.}}</ref>

Industries began to develop within and around the town, in particular shipbuilding, engineering, chemical manufacturing, tanning, and [[sandstone]] quarrying. Towards the end of the 18th century and in the early years of the 19th century, the town was a health resort.<ref name="Starkey 1990 133–137"/>

The growth of industry did not diminish Runcorn's late 18th and early 19th century reputation as a health resort and the "Montpelier of England".<ref>{{Harvnb|Nickson|1887|pp=176–177.}}</ref> In 1822 the town's first Saltwater Baths opened followed by new visitor accommodation in Belvedere Terrace in 1831.<ref name="1834 visitor's guide">{{cite book |last=Fowler |first=G. |title=The Visitor's Guide to Runcorn and its Vicinity |publisher=W. Walker |date=1834 |page=45 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7pZYAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA45}}</ref><ref>{{Harvnb|Nickson|1887|p=176.}}</ref>

[[File:St Paul's (drawing).jpg|thumb|St Paul's Methodist Chapel, since demolished]]
In the middle of the century, the growing wealth of the town and its industrialists saw the construction of several new landmarks, including [[Runcorn Town Hall|Halton Grange]], St Paul's Methodist Chapel and [[All Saints' Church, Runcorn|All Saints' Church]].<ref name="vardy">{{cite journal |last=Vardy |first=Peter I. |year=2006 |title=Thomas Hazlehurst and his family: Methodism and the Early Chemical Industry in Runcorn in the Nineteenth Century |journal=Cheshire History |volume=45 |pages=67–82 |issn=0141-8696}}</ref>

For hundreds of years, the only means of crossing the River Mersey at this point had been by the Runcorn ferry. [[Thomas Telford]] proposed a {{cvt|1000|ft|m}} single span suspension bridge as early as 1817, but not until 1868 did the first bridge, [[Runcorn Railway Bridge]], open across the Mersey at Runcorn. This gave the town direct rail links with [[Liverpool]] and the rest of the country.<ref>{{Harvnb|Nickson|1887|p=206.}}</ref>

Runcorn was becoming an industrialised and highly polluted town. During the later 19th century the town became increasingly dominated by the chemical and tanning industries. In the 1880s a pipeline was opened between [[Northwich]] and Weston Point, supplying brine to the salt works and in 1896 the Castner Kellner chemical works was established.<ref>{{Harvnb|Starkey|1990|pp=160–162.}}</ref>

In 1894 the [[Manchester Ship Canal]] was opened throughout its length.<ref>{{Harvnb|Starkey|1983|p=184.}}</ref> This allowed ocean-going ships to travel inland as far as [[Salford, Greater Manchester|Salford]], some of them calling at the port of Runcorn. The rise in population between 1881 and 1891 and the drop by 1901 is explained by the number of people involved in constructing the ship canal.

In 1905, the [[Widnes–Runcorn Transporter Bridge]] opened, giving a direct link for vehicular traffic for the first time between the two towns.<ref>{{Harvnb|Thompson|2000|p=17.}}</ref> This would not be replaced until 1961 with the construction of Runcorn Road Bridge (since renamed the [[Silver Jubilee Bridge]]) which allowed a more efficient means of road traffic across Runcorn Gap.

During the first half of the 20th century, the town's industry continued to be dominated by chemicals and tanning. This growth was largely due to government fixed-priced cost contracts for tanned hides. In 1926, four chemical companies merged to form [[Imperial Chemical Industries]] (ICI).

During the second half of the 20th century, the tanneries closed (the last to close was the Highfield Tannery in the late 1960s) and the chemical industry declined. At the same time, light industry developed together with warehouses and distribution centres.<ref name="ep">{{cite web |url=http://www.ebusinessdirectories.co.uk/BusinessDirectories/Pages/HaltonBD2006/alive.html |title=Halton Business Directory |access-date=1 September 2007 |publisher=Halton Borough Council |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070822004655/http://www.ebusinessdirectories.co.uk/BusinessDirectories/Pages/HaltonBD2006/alive.html |archive-date=22 August 2007}}</ref>

===Second World War===
[[File:Type 24 pillbox in Runcorn.jpg|thumb|A Second World War [[Pillbox (military)|pillbox]] fortification near the Rocksavage works.]]
In 1937, [[Imperial Chemical Industries|ICI]] began to build a new factory for [[mustard gas]] production at their Randle plant on [[Wigg Island]].<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cTLZkBuAZSsC |title=The X Site: Britain's Most Mysterious Government Facility |isbn=9780952275558 |last1=Jones |first1=Tim |year=2000 |publisher=Gwasg Helygain |location=Rhyl}}</ref> The ICI chemical plants at Runcorn featured in the Gestapo [[The Black Book (list)|Black Book]] as a company of special interest but although the works at Weston Point were discussed at ''[[Luftwaffe]]'' briefings in 1940, the town was never deliberately targeted and was subject only to very limited bombing.<ref>{{Harvnb|Starkey|1990|p=219.}}</ref>

===New Town development===
[[File:Southgate Estate, Runcorn, August 1989, 2.jpg|thumb|The ill-fated [[Southgate Estate]] in Runcorn New Town]]
In September 1963, the [[Ministry of Housing and Local Government]] published a draft of the Runcorn New Town (Designation) Order that allocated {{cvt|7750|acre}} in and around Runcorn for development of a new town under the [[New Towns Act 1946]]. The ministry cited the urgent need for more housing to reduce overcrowding in Liverpool and to increase the rate of [[Slum clearance in the United Kingdom|slum clearance]] there. Runcorn was chosen because of its strong road, rail and canal connections, ample water supply, convenient location on the Mersey Estuary for the disposal of effluent, established industry and the availability of land for more.<ref name="RUDI 5. draft designation order 1963">{{cite web |url=http://www.rudi.net/books/3320 |title=Runcorn New Town – 5. Designation Order Material |website=rudi.net |access-date=24 July 2020 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018025423/http://www.rudi.net/books/3320 |archive-date=18 October 2014}}</ref>

Following objections to the draft order, a [[Public inquiry |public Local Inquiry]] was held at Runcorn from 10 to 12 December 1963. The subsequent report accepted the location in principle and the proposed population of 90,000. But it recommended that {{cvt|500|acre}} around the village of [[Sutton Weaver]] to the south of the [[Chester to Manchester Line|Chester–Manchester]] and [[Crewe–Liverpool line|Crewe–Liverpool]] railway lines be excluded from the designated area, partly to preserve its highly productive agricultural land. The minister, [[Keith Joseph]], accepted the report's recommendations and the designation order was made on 10 April 1964.<ref name="RUDI 5.3 Minister's letter">{{cite web |url=http://www.rudi.net/books/3322 |title=Runcorn New Town – 5.3 Minister's letter |website=rudi.net |access-date=24 July 2020 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022081437/http://www.rudi.net/books/3322 |archive-date=22 October 2014}}</ref>

The New Town masterplan of 1967 more than doubled the population as it encompassed neighbouring settlements and created new housing estates to the south and east.<ref name="New Town Masterplan" /> The new town's key features were its unique housing and estate designs, segregated pedestrian pathways, [[Runcorn Busway|Busway]], extensive landscaped green space, separate industrial areas, and new town centre.<ref name="50th anniversary of RNT">{{cite web |url=https://www.theplanner.co.uk/opinion/what-happened-to-the-new-towns |title=What happened to the New Towns? |last=Renison |first=Nathan |date=8 April 2014 |publisher=The Planner |access-date=23 July 2020 |archive-date=23 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200723160946/https://www.theplanner.co.uk/opinion/what-happened-to-the-new-towns |url-status=live}}</ref>

The new town centre was designated at the geographical heart of the expanded town with [[Runcorn Shopping City|Shopping City]], an American-style enclosed mall, as its focus.<ref name="Tale of Two Centres">{{cite journal |last1=Couch |first1=Chris |last2=Fowles |first2=Steven |date=2006 |title=Britain: Runcorn – A Tale of Two Centres |jstor=23289488 |journal=Built Environment |volume=32 |issue=1 |pages=88–102 |doi=10.2148/benv.32.1.88}}</ref> This was a source of conflict between [[Arthur Ling]], the new town Master Planner, and [[Fred Roche]], Chief Architect. Ling envisaged a centre reminiscent of a citadel or acropolis at the base of Halton Castle, but Roche preferred to expand the existing town centre, partly to placate the Urban District Council and existing traders.<ref name="David Gosling interview">{{cite web |title=The New Towns Record – Planning the New Towns...In their own words |url=http://www.theknowledgeexchange.co.uk/media/5418/New-Towns-Record_FINAL-web-May-2016.pdf |date=May 2016 |publisher=Idox Knowledge Exchange |access-date=23 July 2020 |archive-date=28 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228132353/https://www.theknowledgeexchange.co.uk/media/5418/New-Towns-Record_FINAL-web-May-2016.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref> The new Halton site was favoured and Shopping City opened in 1972.<ref name="Tale of Two Centres" />

However, the Urban District Council secured a commitment from the Development Corporation to continue a programme of regeneration the council had already begun.<ref name="RUDI 7.6 Town centre">{{cite web |url=http://www.rudi.net/books/3322 |title=Runcorn New Town – 7.6 Town centre |website=rudi.net |access-date=24 July 2020 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018044833/http://www.rudi.net/books/3349 |archive-date=18 October 2014}}</ref> In 1971, the Development Corporation published Master Plan Amendment No.1, which focused on the urban renewal of the Old Town centre, now designated a smaller 'district centre'. The plan sought to increase public open space, reduce shopping provision, rationalise roads, and renew housing stock. It also included plans to widen the Runcorn-Widnes Bridge from two to four lanes and create a new system of junctions between the bridge and the expressway.<ref name="Masterplan Amendment No.1">{{cite web |url=http://www3.halton.gov.uk/lgnl/pages/86821/86836/89285/151961/159419/159422/10._Area_Specific_Evidence/AS5/Runcorn_New_Town_Masterplan_Amendment_No1_(1971).pdf |date=1971 |title=Runcorn New Town Master Plan Amendment No.1 |publisher=Runcorn Development Corporation |access-date=24 July 2020 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130411084056/http://www3.halton.gov.uk/lgnl/pages/86821/86836/89285/151961/159419/159422/10._Area_Specific_Evidence/AS5/Runcorn_New_Town_Masterplan_Amendment_No1_(1971).pdf |archive-date=11 April 2013}}</ref>

The masterplan was amended for the second and final time in 1975. Amendment No.2 extended the expressway further to the east and redesignated land at Sandymoor intended for industrial use to residential.<ref name="Masterplan Amendment No.2">{{cite web |url=http://www3.halton.gov.uk/lgnl/pages/86821/86836/89285/151961/159419/159422/10._Area_Specific_Evidence/AS6/Runcorn_New_Town_Masterplan_Amendment_No2_(1971).pdf |date=1975 |title=Runcorn New Town Master Plan Amendment No.2 |publisher=Runcorn Development Corporation |access-date=24 July 2020 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130411084056/http://www3.halton.gov.uk/lgnl/pages/86821/86836/89285/151961/159419/159422/10._Area_Specific_Evidence/AS6/Runcorn_New_Town_Masterplan_Amendment_No2_(1971).pdf |archive-date=11 April 2013}}</ref> The Runcorn Development Corporation merged with Warrington Development Corporation on 1 April 1981 and was wound up on 30 September 1989.<ref name="TCPA factsheet">{{cite web |url=https://www.tcpa.org.uk/Handlers/Download.ashx?IDMF=bd616ca8-f2bc-4998-966b-a01f8f99c233 |title=Runcorn, Cheshire – 'Mark Two' New Town – Designated 10 April 1964 |publisher=Town and Country Planning Association |access-date=23 July 2020 |archive-date=15 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200715054519/https://www.tcpa.org.uk/Handlers/Download.ashx?IDMF=bd616ca8-f2bc-4998-966b-a01f8f99c233 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Much of the architecture of the new town was innovative, especially the [[Southgate Estate|Southgate development]] designed by [[James Stirling (architect)|Sir James Stirling]] and built between 1970 and 1977. Stirling's housing development was beset with problems and it was demolished in the early 1990s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bdonline.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=430&storycode=3084063&c=2&encCode=00000000012cb5c6 |title=Unhappy customers |access-date=27 July 2007 |date=30 March 2007 |publisher=BD: The Architects' Website |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928003054/http://www.bdonline.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=430&storycode=3084063&c=2&encCode=00000000012cb5c6 |archive-date=28 September 2007}}</ref><ref name="Southgate">{{cite web |url=https://flashbak.com/naked-demolished-runcorn-scandalous-tale-james-stirlings-lost-utopia-393320/ |title=Naked and Demolished in Runcorn: The Scandalous Tale of James Stirling's Lost Utopia |author=Hugh Pearman |date=15 January 2015 |website=FLASHBAK |access-date=21 July 2020 |archive-date=21 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200721223429/https://flashbak.com/naked-demolished-runcorn-scandalous-tale-james-stirlings-lost-utopia-393320/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2002, the Castlefields Partnership (made up of [[English Partnerships]] and Halton Borough Council) was created to comprehensively redevelop the Castlefields estate, including the demolition of over 700 deck access flats.<ref name="House of Commons Report 2008">{{cite web |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmselect/cmcomloc/889/889.pdf |title=New Towns: Follow-Up – Ninth Report of Session 2007–08 |publisher=House of Commons |date=11 July 2008 |access-date=23 July 2020 |archive-date=26 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210426202113/https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmselect/cmcomloc/889/889.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Governance==
[[File:Runcorn Town Hall.jpg|thumb|[[Runcorn Town Hall]], formerly Halton Grange]]
Runcorn is in the [[local authority district]] of the [[Borough of Halton]]. It is administered by [[Halton Borough Council]], a [[Unitary authorities of England|unitary authority]] which has its main meeting place at [[Runcorn Town Hall]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Calendar |url=https://councillors.halton.gov.uk/mgCalendarAgendaView.aspx?MR=0&M=6&DD=2024&CID=0&OT=&C=-1&D=5 |website=Halton Borough Council |access-date=5 June 2024}}</ref> The council is a member of the [[Liverpool City Region Combined Authority]], led by the directly elected [[Mayor of the Liverpool City Region]]. Runcorn is an [[unparished area]] with the exception of [[Sandymoor]] civil parish and part of the Whitehouse Industrial Estate which is in the [[Preston Brook]] civil parish.<ref>{{cite web |title=Election Maps |url=https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/election-maps/gb/ |publisher=Ordnance Survey |access-date=28 February 2025}}</ref>

===Administrative history===
At the time of the [[Domesday Book|Domesday]] survey of 1086, Runcorn was in the [[Hundred (country subdivision)|hundred]] of Tunendune.<ref>{{Harvnb|Phillips|Phillips|2002|p=27.}}</ref> The [[hundreds of Cheshire]] were reorganised in the 12th century, and Runcorn became part of the [[Bucklow Hundred]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Phillips|Phillips|2002|p=9.}}</ref> Runcorn was an [[ancient parish]]. It was subdivided into 20 [[Township (England)|townships]]:<ref>{{cite web |title=Runcorn Ancient Parish / Civil Parish |url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10083424 |website=A Vision of Britain through Time |publisher=GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth |access-date=28 February 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Book of Reference to the Plan of the Parish of Runcorn |date=1876 |publisher=Ordnance Survey |location=London |url=https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Book_of_Reference_to_the_Plan_of_the_Par/49MHAAAAQAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=RA6-PP13&printsec=frontcover |access-date=28 February 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Book of Reference to the Plan of the Parish of Runcorn (Detached, Nos. 1, 2, and 3) |date=1875 |publisher=Ordnance Survey |location=London |url=https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Book_of_Reference_to_the_Plan_of_the_Par/49MHAAAAQAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=RA7-PP7&printsec=frontcover |access-date=28 February 2025}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=15em}}
*Acton Grange
*Aston Grange
*[[Aston-by-Sutton]]
*Clifton
*[[Daresbury]]
*[[Dutton, Cheshire|Dutton]] (part)
*[[Halton, Runcorn|Halton]]
*[[Hatton, Warrington|Hatton]]
*[[Keckwick]]
*[[Moore, Cheshire|Moore]]
*Newton by Daresbury
*[[Norton, Runcorn|Norton]]
*[[Preston on the Hill]]
*Runcorn
*Stockham
*[[Sutton Weaver|Sutton]]
*[[Thelwall]]
*[[Walton, Cheshire|Walton]] Inferior
*Walton Superior
*[[Weston, Runcorn|Weston]]
{{div col end}}

The Runcorn township covered the town itself plus a rural area to the south, including the separate hamlet of Higher Runcorn and an area of [[heath]] called Runcorn Heath.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cheshire Sheet XXIV |url=https://maps.nls.uk/view/102341023 |website=National Library of Scotland |publisher=Ordnance Survey |access-date=1 March 2025 |date=1882}}</ref> From the 17th century onwards, parishes were gradually given various civil functions under the [[poor laws]], in addition to their original ecclesiastical functions. In some cases, including Runcorn, the civil functions were exercised by each township separately rather than the parish as a whole. In 1866, the legal definition of 'parish' was changed to be the areas used for administering the poor laws, and so the townships also became [[civil parish]]es, which therefore diverged from the [[ecclesiastical parish]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Youngs |first1=Frederic |title=Guide to the Local Administrative Units of England: Volume II, Northern England |date=1991 |publisher=Royal Historical Society |location=London |isbn=0861931270 |page=xv}}</ref>

[[File:Coat of arms of Runcorn Urban District Council.svg|thumb|150px|Coat of arms granted to Runcorn Urban District Council in 1956]]
In 1852 a body of [[improvement commissioners]] was established to administer the Runcorn township and adjoining parts of Halton township (which were subsequently transferred to Runcorn township in 1883).<ref>{{cite web |title=Runcorn Improvement Act 1852 |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukla/Vict/15-16/68/contents/enacted |website=legislation.gov.uk |publisher=The National Archives |access-date=1 March 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Harvnb|Starkey|1990|p=193.}}</ref> Such commissioners' districts were reconstituted as [[Urban district (England and Wales)|urban districts]] under the [[Local Government Act 1894]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Runcorn Urban District |url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10062263 |website=A Vision of Britain through Time |publisher=GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth |access-date=1 March 2025}}</ref> In 1932, Runcorn Urban District Council bought Halton Grange, a large house which had been completed in 1856, to serve as its headquarters and renamed it Runcorn Town Hall.<ref>{{cite news |title=Runcorn purchase Halton Grange |url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-viewer?issue=BL%2F0000964%2F19320708&page=2 |access-date=1 March 2025 |work=Runcorn Weekly News |date=8 July 1932 |page=2}}</ref><ref>{{NHLE|num=1104859|desc=Runcorn Town Hall, Heath Road|grade=II|access-date=1 March 2025}}</ref>

Runcorn Urban District was enlarged on three occasions. In 1936, it took in areas including Weston and the fringes of Halton, including the area around Halton Grange. In 1955, there were minor adjustments to the boundaries with neighbouring parishes. And in 1967, it took in Halton and Norton, plus parts of other neighbouring parishes, to bring all the areas which had been designated for the new town in 1964 into the urban district.<ref>{{cite book |last=Youngs |first=Frederic |title=Guide to the Local Administrative Units of England: Volume II |date=1991 |publisher=Royal Historical Society |location=London |isbn=0 86193 127 0 |pages=29, 33}}</ref><ref name="Phillips 2002 11">{{Harvnb|Phillips|Phillips|2002|p=11.}}</ref> In 1956, the urban district council was granted a [[coat of arms]] with the Latin motto ''Navem mercibus implere'' ("fill the ships with goods"), a classical quotation from [[Juvenal]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Young |first=Robert |title=Runcorn Urban District Council |url=http://www.civicheraldry.co.uk/cheshire_pre74.html#runcorn%20udc |website=Civic Heraldry |access-date=1 March 2025}}</ref>

Runcorn Urban District was abolished in 1974 under the [[Local Government Act 1972]] when it merged with the [[Municipal Borough of Widnes]] and parts of [[Runcorn Rural District]] and [[Whiston Rural District]] to form the [[Borough of Halton]] under Halton Borough Council and [[Cheshire County Council]]. In 1998, Halton Borough Council took over the county council's functions in the borough, making it a [[unitary authority]]. Halton remains part of the [[ceremonial county]] of Cheshire.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www2.halton.gov.uk/yourcouncil/theboroughofhalton?a=5441 |title=The Borough of Halton |date=26 March 2008 |access-date=23 June 2013 |publisher=Halton Borough Council |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080922014510/http://www2.halton.gov.uk/yourcouncil/theboroughofhalton/?a=5441 |archive-date=22 September 2008}}</ref> In April 2014, Halton Borough Council joined five other local authorities in [[Merseyside]] to form the [[Liverpool City Region]].

===Westminster representation===
Runcorn is in the [[Runcorn and Helsby (UK Parliament constituency)|Runcorn and Helsby constituency]] for representation in the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]]. The seat was held by [[Mike Amesbury]] of the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]] from its creation for the [[2024 United Kingdom general election|2024 general election]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Mark |date=5 July 2024 |title=Labour take Runcorn and Helsby as Tories finish third |url=https://www.runcornandwidnesworld.co.uk/news/24432269.labour-take-runcorn-helsby-tories-finish-third/ |work=Runcorn and Widnes World |location= |access-date=6 July 2024}}</ref> It changed hands when [[Sarah Pochin]] of [[Reform UK]] won the [[2025 Runcorn and Helsby by-election|2025 by-election]] triggered by Amesbury's resignation after his conviction for assault.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx20z7p96xyo |title =Reform MP Sarah Pochin hails tight by-election win |work=BBC News |date=2 May 2025 |access-date=5 May 2025}}</ref>

From 1997 to 2024, Runcorn was split between the two constituencies of [[Weaver Vale (UK Parliament constituency)|Weaver Vale]] and [[Halton (UK Parliament constituency)|Halton]]. Prior to their abolition, those seats were held by Mike Amesbury and [[Derek Twigg]] respectively, both of the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.parliament.uk/biographies/commons/derek-twigg/429 |title=Derek Twigg |access-date=23 June 2013 |publisher=UK Parliament |archive-date=5 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130705091842/http://www.parliament.uk/biographies/commons/derek-twigg/429 |url-status=live}}</ref> While Halton was a [[safe seat|safe]] Labour seat since its creation in 1983, Weaver Vale was a [[marginal seat]] and switched between the Labour and [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] parties several times since its creation in 1997.

Before the [[Reform Act 1832]], Runcorn was in the [[United Kingdom constituencies|constituency]] of Cheshire which was represented by two [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Members of Parliament]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Phillips|Phillips|2002|p=100.}}</ref> Following the Reform Act, the town was placed in the [[North Cheshire (UK Parliament constituency)|North Cheshire]] constituency and from 1868 in the [[Mid Cheshire (UK Parliament constituency)|Mid Cheshire]] constituency. From 1885 to 1950 the town was in the constituency of [[Northwich (UK Parliament constituency)|Northwich]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Phillips|Phillips|2002|pp=102–103.}}</ref> The [[Runcorn (UK Parliament constituency)|constituency of Runcorn]] was created by a 1948 [[Act of Parliament]] and [[Dennis Vosper, Baron Runcorn|Dennis Vosper]] was the first to be elected to the seat in 1950.<ref>{{Harvnb|Starkey|1990|p=221.}}.</ref> In 1964, he was succeeded by [[Mark Carlisle]] who held the seat until the constituency of Runcorn was abolished in 1983 and split between the constituencies of Halton and [[Warrington South (UK Parliament constituency)|Warrington South]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1494318/Lord-Carlisle-of-Bucklow.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1494318/Lord-Carlisle-of-Bucklow.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Lord Carlisle of Bucklow |access-date=23 June 2013 |date=19 July 2005 |work=The Daily Telegraph}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

==Geography==
===Topography===
[[File:Runcorn bridges aerial.jpg|thumb|Aerial view of the Runcorn Gap]]
Runcorn is on a spur projecting into the River Mersey, which flows to the north and then to the west of the town. On the river's north bank is another spur forming the West Bank area of Widnes; together these form Runcorn Gap, a narrowing of the River Mersey. The town is bounded to the southwest by the [[Weaver Navigation]]; to the south by the [[Chester to Manchester Line|Chester–Manchester]] and [[Crewe–Liverpool line|Crewe–Liverpool]] railway lines; and to the east by the [[West Coast Main Line]] until the village of [[Moore, Cheshire|Moore]]. A series of valleys is formed by high points at Runcorn Hill (75m [[Ordnance datum|AOD]]), Halton Castle (75m AOD), Windmill Hill (70m AOD) and Keckwick Hill (75m AOD).<ref name="Halton Landscape Character Assessment 2008">{{cite web |url=https://www3.halton.gov.uk/Pages/planning/policyguidance/pdf/evidencebase/green/Halton_Landscape_Character_Assessment_%282009%29.pdf |title=Halton Landscape Character Assessment 2008 |publisher=Halton Borough Council |access-date=23 July 2020 |archive-date=23 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200723183325/https://www3.halton.gov.uk/Pages/planning/policyguidance/pdf/evidencebase/green/Halton_Landscape_Character_Assessment_(2009).pdf |url-status=live}}</ref>

Runcorn Gap is crossed by three bridges: Runcorn Railway Bridge (which carries the Liverpool branch of the West Coast Main Line), the Silver Jubilee Bridge and the Mersey Gateway which carries the [[A533 road|A533]]. A system of dual carriageways called 'expressways' form a figure of 8 around the town.<ref name="nt">{{cite web |url=http://www2.halton.gov.uk/yourcouncil/townsandvillages/runcornnewtown?a=5441 |title=Runcorn New Town |access-date=28 June 2007 |publisher=Halton Borough Council |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070216085558/http://www2.halton.gov.uk/yourcouncil/townsandvillages/runcornnewtown?a=5441 |archive-date=16 February 2007}}</ref> The Central Expressway runs through the centre of the town in a north–south direction and is the main through-road. It connects to the [[M56 motorway]] which cuts into the south of the town.

To the west of the Central Expressway lies the Old Town of Runcorn, Higher Runcorn, [[Weston, Runcorn|Weston]], Weston Point and Clifton (formerly Rocksavage), and the new town estates of Halton Brook and Halton Lodge. To the east are the formerly separate villages of [[Halton, Runcorn|Halton]] and [[Norton, Runcorn|Norton]], and the new town estates of Castlefields, Palacefields, Windmill Hill, Murdishaw, Brookvale, Hallwood Park, [[Beechwood, Runcorn|Beechwood]] and [[Sandymoor]].<ref>''Liverpool, St Helens, Widnes & Runcorn:Explorer 275 map'', [[Ordnance Survey]].</ref> The density of housing is generally high, but there are open green areas, in particular [[Heath (habitat)|heathland]] on Runcorn Hill and the extensive Town Park created as part of the new town. Housing is typically situated within the expressways and industry outside.<ref name="New Town Masterplan" />

===Geology===
[[File:Runcorn Hill 3.jpg|thumb|Runcorn Hill, showing cutting through sandstone]]
The Runcorn area drains into the River Mersey to the north and the River Weaver to the south.

The [[bedrock]] geology of the River Mersey and the northern and western fringes of Runcorn is [[Sherwood Sandstone Group|Sherwood Sandstone]] and pebbly sandstone. To the south there is a transition to siltstone, sandstone and predominantly [[Mercia Mudstone Group|Mercia Mudstone]]. The primary sedimentary rock is [[New Red Sandstone]].<ref name="Halton Landscape Character Assessment 2008" />

The [[Superficial deposits|superficial geology]] is varied with pockets of sand and [[diamicton]] along the lower-lying land adjacent to the Mersey and through Runcorn. Sand and gravel becomes common on the southern fringes of the town and elsewhere there are small pockets of clay, silt, sand and gravel.<ref name="Halton Landscape Character Assessment 2008" />

===Ecology===
[[File:The Manchester Ship Canal looking towards Wigg Island from Astmoor in Runcorn.jpg|thumb|[[Wigg Island]] local nature reserve across the Manchester Ship Canal]]
There are two [[Site of Special Scientific Interest|Sites of Special Scientific Interest]] within the town: [[Floodbrook Clough]] and the Mersey Estuary.<ref name="Halton Landscape Character Assessment 2008" /> Floodbrook Clough in Beechwood is an [[Ancient woodland|Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland]] and one of the best examples in Cheshire of clough woodland on [[keuper marl]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/woods/floodbrook-clough/ |title=Floodbrook Clough |publisher=Woodland Trust |access-date=23 July 2020 |archive-date=29 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929140235/https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/woods/floodbrook-clough/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

There are five [[Local nature reserve|Local Nature Reserves]] designated under the [[National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949]]: Runcorn Hill, Dorchester Park, Oxmoor Woods, Wigg Island and Murdishaw Valley.<ref name="Halton Landscape Character Assessment 2008" />

==Demography==

===Population growth===
Early census statistics for the town include only the areas known now as the Old Town and Higher Runcorn. In 1936, Runcorn Urban District grew to incorporate the neighbouring village of Weston.<ref name="Phillips 2002 11"/> The present statistical boundaries of Runcorn were defined in the Runcorn New Town (Designation) Order 1964 which greatly expanded the town to the east.

The population of Runcorn in 1664 has been estimated as 305.<ref name="Cheshire Historic Towns Survey">{{cite web |url=http://www.cheshirearchaeology.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/HTS_Arch_Assess_Runcorn-and-Halton.pdf |title=Cheshire Historic Towns Survey – Runcorn and Halton Archaeological Assessment |publisher=Cheshire County Council and English Heritage |access-date=12 July 2020 |archive-date=12 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200712221503/http://www.cheshirearchaeology.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/HTS_Arch_Assess_Runcorn-and-Halton.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

{|class="wikitable"
|+ Population growth of Runcorn since 1801<ref name="Cheshire Historic Towns Survey" /><ref name="Vision of Britain">{{cite web |url=https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10062263/cube/TOT_POP |title=Runcorn UD through time – Population Statistics |publisher=University of Portsmouth |access-date=13 July 2020 |archive-date=14 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200714000841/https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10062263/cube/TOT_POP |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="2011 Census">{{NOMIS2011 |id=E35001305 |title=Runcorn Built-up area |access-date=26 May 2020}}</ref><ref name="2021 Census" />
|-
! scope="col" |Year
! scope="col" |Population
! scope="col" |Change as %
|-
! scope="row" |1801
|style="text-align:right;" |1,379
|style="text-align:right;" |—
|-
! scope="row" |1811
|style="text-align:right;" |2,060
|style="text-align:right;" |+49.4%
|-
! scope="row" |1821
|style="text-align:right;" |3,103
|style="text-align:right;" |+50.6%
|-
! scope="row" |1831
|style="text-align:right;" |5,035
|style="text-align:right;" |+62.3%
|-
! scope="row" |1841
|style="text-align:right;" |6,951
|style="text-align:right;" |+38.1%
|-
! scope="row" |1851
|style="text-align:right;" |8,688
|style="text-align:right;" |+25.0%
|-
! scope="row" |1861
|style="text-align:right;" |10,063
|style="text-align:right;" |+15.8%
|-
! scope="row" |1871
|style="text-align:right;" |12,066
|style="text-align:right;" |+19.9%
|-
! scope="row" |1881
|style="text-align:right;" |15,126
|style="text-align:right;" |+25.4%
|-
! scope="row" |1891
|style="text-align:right;" |20,020
|style="text-align:right;" |+32.4%
|-
! scope="row" |1901
|style="text-align:right;" |16,491
|style="text-align:right;" |−17.6%
|-
! scope="row" |1911
|style="text-align:right;" |17,353
|style="text-align:right;" |+5.2%
|-
! scope="row" |1921
|style="text-align:right;" |18,476
|style="text-align:right;" |+6.5%
|-
! scope="row" |1931
|style="text-align:right;" |18,127
|style="text-align:right;" |−1.9%
|-
! scope="row" |1939
|style="text-align:right;" |21,718
|style="text-align:right;" |+19.8%
|-
! scope="row" |1951
|style="text-align:right;" |23,931
|style="text-align:right;" |+10.2%
|-
! scope="row" |1961
|style="text-align:right;" |26,035
|style="text-align:right;" |+8.8%
|-
! scope="row" |1971
|style="text-align:right;" |35,999
|style="text-align:right;" |+38.3%
|-
! scope="row" |1981
|style="text-align:right;" |64,196
|style="text-align:right;" |+78.3%
|-
! scope="row" |1991
|style="text-align:right;" |64,952
|style="text-align:right;" |+1.2%
|-
! scope="row" |2001
|style="text-align:right;" |60,320
|style="text-align:right;" |−7.1%
|-
! scope="row" |2011
|style="text-align:right;" |61,789
|style="text-align:right;" |+2.4%
|-
! scope="row" |2021
|style="text-align:right;" |61,145
|style="text-align:right;" |+0.5%
|}

===Religion===
[[File:Runcorn All Saints 1.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|[[All Saints Church, Runcorn|All Saints' Parish Church]]]]
In the 2021 [[census]], 52.5% said they were [[Christianity|Christian]], down from 70.1% in 2011. 41.5% said they had "no religion" and 4.6% made no religious claims. Those stating their religions as [[Buddhism|Buddhist]], [[Hinduism|Hindu]], [[Judaism|Jewish]], [[Islam|Muslim]], [[Sikhism|Sikh]] or other amounted to 1.3%.<ref name="2021 Census" /><ref name="2011 Census" />

The town's [[Anglicanism|Anglican]] churches are part of the [[Diocese of Chester]] and the Deanery of Frodsham.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chester.anglican.org/diocese/links/index.htm#Frodsham |title=Chester Diocese:Frodsham Deanery |access-date=2 April 2007 |publisher=The Church of England: Diocese of Chester |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070203035320/http://www.chester.anglican.org/diocese/links/index.htm#Frodsham |archive-date=3 February 2007}}</ref> The parish church is [[All Saints Church, Runcorn|All Saints Church]], and there are 10 other Anglican churches in the town.<ref name="church">{{cite web |url=http://www2.halton.gov.uk/localinfo/placesofworship/churchesinruncorn/?a=5441 |title=Churches in Runcorn |access-date=2 April 2007 |publisher=Halton Borough Council |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930184702/http://www2.halton.gov.uk/localinfo/placesofworship/churchesinruncorn/?a=5441 |archive-date=30 September 2007}}</ref> Five [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] churches can be found in Runcorn and are administered by the [[Diocese of Shrewsbury]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dioceseofshrewsbury.org/ |title=The Diocese of Shrewsbury |access-date=23 June 2018 |publisher=The Roman Catholic Diocese of Shrewsbury |archive-date=17 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090417052554/http://www.dioceseofshrewsbury.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

There are two [[Methodist Church of Great Britain|Methodist]] chapels and several shared churches. Wicksten Drive Christian Centre is shared between Anglicans and Methodists. Hallwood Ecumenical Parish in [[Beechwood, Runcorn|Beechwood]] and Palace Fields consists of two churches, both recognised by the Church of England, the Methodist Church and the [[United Reformed Church]].<ref name="church"/> There is also a [[Pentecostal]] church, two independent [[evangelical]] churches, a [[Mormon|Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] chapel, a [[Spiritualism (religious movement)|spiritualist]] church, and a [[Jehovah's Witnesses]] [[Kingdom Hall]].<ref name="church"/>

In 2013, the former Waterloo Hotel was converted into a Buddhist temple by [[Wat Phra Singh]]. {{as of|May 2014}}, there are five resident monks.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://watphrasinghuk.org/ |title=Home |access-date=3 January 2017 |publisher=Wat Phra Singh UK |archive-date=21 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170521184216/http://watphrasinghuk.org/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Ethnicity===
In the 2021 census, of Runcorn's 61,145 residents, 96.6% identified as White. Mixed/multiple ethnic groups made up 1.5%; Asian/Asian British/Asian Welsh 1.0%; Black/Black British/Black Welsh/Caribbean/African 0.4%; and Other ethnic group 0.6%. 97.4% had English as a first language.<ref name="2021 Census" />

==Economy==
In 2020, the [[gross value added|GVA]] for the Runcorn Built-up Area Sub-division was £2.86 billion.<ref name="GVA">{{cite web | url = https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/grossvalueaddedgva/datasets/uksmallareagvaestimates | title = UK small area gross value added (GVA) estimates | last1 = Chiripanhura | first1 = Blessing | last2 = Fenton | first2 = Trevor | date = 24 January 2023 | website = Office for National Statistics | access-date = 28 November 2023}}</ref>

Runcorn has a higher proportion of people working in manufacturing, logistics, and wholesale and retail than the average for England.<ref name="2011 Census" /><ref name="2011 Census Halton key statistics profile"/> Chemical manufacturing has been the town's dominant sector since the 19th century, but the local economy has increasingly diversified into other advanced manufacturing sectors, such as aerospace and automotive, as well as services and logistics.<ref name="HBC Business Directory 2015">{{cite web |url=http://www.burrows.co.uk/halton/flip/files/assets/common/downloads/publication.pdf |title=Halton Business Guide and Directory |publisher=Burrows Communications Limited |access-date=21 July 2020 |archive-date=21 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200721140200/http://www.burrows.co.uk/halton/flip/files/assets/common/downloads/publication.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

The main industrial areas of the town are Astmoor, Manor Park, Whitehouse, the Heath and Weston Point. Sci-Tech Daresbury is to the southeast of the town. The main retail and leisure area is [[Runcorn Shopping City|Shopping City]] in the centre of the town with a smaller district centre at the old town.

{|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:right;"
|+ Employment by industry in 2011<ref name="2011 Census" /><ref name="2011 Census Halton key statistics profile" />
|- style="text-align:left;"
! Industry
! Runcorn (Resident Jobs)
! Runcorn (%)
! Halton (%)
! England (%)
! Runcorn – England Difference
|-
|style="text-align:left;" |C Manufacturing
|3,829
|13.7
|12.5
|8.8
|4.9
|-
|style="text-align:left;" |H Transport and storage
|2,087
|7.4
|6.9
|5.0
|2.4
|-
|style="text-align:left;" |G Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motor cycles
|5,069
|18.1
|18.7
|15.9
|2.2
|-
|style="text-align:left;" |N Administrative and support service activities
|1,579
|5.6
|5.3
|4.9
|0.7
|-
|style="text-align:left;" |E Water supply; sewerage, waste management and remediation activities
|334
|1.2
|1.6
|0.7
|0.5
|-
|style="text-align:left;" |J Information and communication
|1,247
|4.4
|3.9
|4.1
|0.3
|-
|style="text-align:left;" |O Public administration and defence; compulsory social security
|1,721
|6.1
|6.5
|5.9
|0.2
|-
|style="text-align:left;" |D Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply
|194
|0.7
|0.8
|0.6
|0.1
|-
|style="text-align:left;" |Q Human health and social work activities
|3,460
|12.3
|12.0
|12.4
|−0.1
|-
|style="text-align:left;" |B Mining and quarrying
|40
|0.1
|0.2
|0.2
|−0.1
|-
|style="text-align:left;" |L Real estate activities
|314
|1.1
|1.2
|1.5
|−0.4
|-
|style="text-align:left;" |I Accommodation and food service activities
|1,388
|5.0
|4.6
|5.6
|−0.6
|-
|style="text-align:left;" |A Agriculture, forestry and fishing
|44
|0.2
|0.2
|0.8
|−0.6
|-
|style="text-align:left;" |F Construction
|1,881
|6.7
|7.4
|7.7
|−1.0
|-
|style="text-align:left;" |R, S, T, U Other
|988
|3.5
|3.8
|5.0
|−1.5
|-
|style="text-align:left;" |M Professional, scientific and technical activities
|1,305
|4.7
|4.5
|6.7
|−2.0
|-
|style="text-align:left;" |K Financial and insurance activities
|555
|2.0
|2.4
|4.4
|−2.4
|-
|style="text-align:left;" |P Education
|1,993
|7.1
|7.7
|9.9
|−2.8
|}

===Manufacturing and chemicals===
[[File:Chemical works, Weston Point - geograph.org.uk - 998845.jpg|thumb|Chemical works at Weston Point, Runcorn]]
The town's chemical industry was dominated for many years by [[Imperial Chemical Industries|ICI]]'s Chlor Chemical division. But since 2001, Inovyn (a wholly owned subsidiary of [[Ineos]]) has operated the extensive chemical works in the west of the town, employing 750 people in 2020.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theengineer.co.uk/news/ici-says-goodbye-to-chlor-chemicals/284312.article |title=ICI says goodbye to Chlor-Chemicals |publisher=The Engineer |date=5 December 2000 |access-date=30 August 2011 |archive-date=13 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140313171107/http://www.theengineer.co.uk/news/ici-says-goodbye-to-chlor-chemicals/284312.article |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Inovyn">{{cite web |url=https://www.inovyn.com/locations/runcorn/ |title=Runcorn Site, UNITED KINGDOM |publisher=Inovyn |access-date=31 October 2019 |archive-date=31 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031161554/https://www.inovyn.com/locations/runcorn/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In Runcorn, Invoyn manufactures chlorine, caustic soda and chlorinated derivatives. It also produces salt, made from [[brine]] transported by [[Pipeline transport|pipeline]] from the saltfields of central Cheshire, and sulphuric acid. Several other chemical manufacturers also have a presence at the site, including Koura (formerly [[Orbia|Mexichem]] Fluor), Industrial Chemicals, Packed Chlorine Limited, VYNOVA and Runcorn MCP Ltd (a joint venture between INOVYN and VYNOVA). The site is considered to be of strategic national importance to the UK.<ref name="Inovyn" /> The site includes two independently owned power stations; the 810 MW natural gas fired [[Rocksavage Power Station]] and the Runcorn Energy Recovery Facility operated by Viridor which also supplies heat to the Inovyn facility.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.intergen.com/our-assets/rocksavage/ |title=Rocksavage – InterGen |publisher=InterGen |access-date=7 October 2020 |archive-date=24 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924200236/https://www.intergen.com/our-assets/rocksavage/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.viridor.co.uk/energy/energy-recovery-facilities/runcorn-erf/ |title=Runcorn Energy Recovery Facility |publisher=Viridor |access-date=31 October 2019 |archive-date=31 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031163309/https://www.viridor.co.uk/energy/energy-recovery-facilities/runcorn-erf/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ICI's other former site in Runcorn comprising offices and laboratories is now the Heath Business and Technical Park, which provides office, laboratory, conference, and leisure facilities.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theheath.com/index.shtml |title=the heath&nbsp;... the best place for your business |access-date=29 March 2007 |publisher=The Heath Business and Technical Park |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070503034306/http://www.theheath.com/index.shtml |archive-date=3 May 2007}}</ref>

Other large employers include advanced manufacturing firms Sigmatex (manufacturer of carbon fibre), [[Héroux-Devtek]] (manufacturer of aircraft landing gear), [[PPG Industries|Whitford]] (manufacturer of speciality coatings), [[Teva Pharmaceuticals|Teva]] (manufacturer of pharmaceuticals) and [[Fresenius (company)|Fresenius Kabi]] (manufacturer of medical and pharmaceutical products).<ref name="HBC Economic Assessment 2018">{{cite web |url=http://councillors.halton.gov.uk/documents/s54675/PPB%2024-9-18%20Halton%202030.pdf |title=Economic Assessment and Halton 2030 |publisher=Halton Borough Council |date=24 September 2018 |access-date=21 July 2020 |archive-date=21 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200721111815/http://councillors.halton.gov.uk/documents/s54675/PPB%2024-9-18%20Halton%202030.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Drinks manufacturer [[Diageo]] has maintained a packaging plant at Runcorn since 1970 which packages [[Guinness]], [[Pimm's]], [[Kilkenny (beer)|Kilkenny]] and [[Smirnoff]] Ice for distribution in Great Britain.<ref name="HBC Business Directory 2015" />

[[Sci-Tech Daresbury]] is a National Science and Innovation Campus to the south east of Runcorn. The campus offers lab space, offices and workshops to rent. It is home to Europe's largest supercomputer and the Virtual Engineering Centre, which works with [[Bentley]] motor cars, [[BAE Systems]] and [[Jaguar Land Rover]]. The site also houses [[Daresbury Laboratory]], which employs over 300 staff specialising in accelerator science, bio-medicine, physics, chemistry, materials, engineering, and computational science.<ref name="Runcorn-Widnes.com">{{cite web |url=http://www4.halton.gov.uk/Pages/councildemocracy/pdfs/LivingandWorking.pdf |title=This is Halton: An Essential Guide to Living and Working in Halton |author=Halton Borough Council |website=Runcorn and Widnes – Make Halton Your Business |access-date=27 February 2018 |archive-date=28 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180228162945/https://www4.halton.gov.uk/Pages/councildemocracy/pdfs/LivingandWorking.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Logistics===
[[File:RuncornTanker.jpg|thumb|Tanker at Runcorn Docks]]
Runcorn's position between Liverpool and Manchester airports and its links to the rail, motorway, and canal networks have made it a centre for logistics.<ref name="ep"/> There are two ports in the west of the town on the Manchester Ship Canal. [[Runcorn Docks]] is owned by the Manchester Ship Canal Company, which is part of the [[Peel Group|Peel Ports Group]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.peelports.co.uk/home/ |title=Peel Ports Group |access-date=18 August 2008 |publisher=Peel Ports Group |archive-date=12 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130312102712/http://www.peelports.co.uk/home/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Weston Point Docks]] is operated by FLX Logistics.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.flxlogistics.co.uk/ |title=FLX Logistics |access-date=23 April 2021 |publisher=FLX Logistics |archive-date=23 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423122446/https://www.flxlogistics.co.uk/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

There are several large logistics depots across Runcorn, including Eddie Stobart Group's road haulage site and driver training school in Manor Park, and the Downton haulage depot at the Whitehouse Industrial Estate.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://eddiestobart.com/about-us/#our-network |title=About us – Eddie Stobart Logistics |publisher=Eddie Stobart Logistics PLC |access-date=31 October 2019 |archive-date=16 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200516191246/https://eddiestobart.com/about-us/#our-network |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.downton.co.uk/depot/runcorn/ |title=Runcorn |publisher=C M Downton (Haulage Contractors) Ltd |access-date=31 October 2019 |archive-date=31 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031170516/http://www.downton.co.uk/depot/runcorn/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Services===
[[File:Umbrellas in City Square inside Runcorn Shopping City.jpg|thumb|Town Square in [[Runcorn Shopping City]]]]
There has been a shift in employment from manufacturing to service industries. In 1991, 34% worked in the manufacturing sector and 61% were in the service sector. By 2004, 17% were in manufacturing jobs and 78% were in service jobs.<ref name="hstats">{{cite web |url=http://www2.halton.gov.uk/content/councilanddemocracy/council/research/factbook?a=5441 |title=Halton Unitary in Figures |access-date=4 April 2007 |publisher=Halton Borough Council |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070702011047/http://www2.halton.gov.uk/content/councilanddemocracy/council/research/factbook?a=5441 |archive-date=2 July 2007}}</ref> This trend in the local region is demonstrated in this chart which shows the regional "gross value added" of Halton and Warrington at current basic prices, with figures in millions of pounds.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_economy/RegionalGVA.pdf#page=242 |title=Regional Gross Value Added |access-date=7 April 2007 |date=21 December 2005 |publisher=Office for National Statistics |page=242 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070226163731/http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_economy/RegionalGVA.pdf <!--Added by H3llBot--> |archive-date=26 February 2007}}</ref>
{|class="wikitable"
|-
! Year ||Regional Gross Value Added{{ref|gva_d|d}} ||Agriculture{{ref|gva_a|a}} ||Industry{{ref|gva_b|b}} ||Services{{ref|gva_c|c}}
|-
|1995 ||'''3,636''' ||14 ||1,361 ||2,261
|-
|2000 ||'''4,768''' ||10 ||1,433 ||3,324
|-
|2003 ||'''5,774''' ||18 ||1,399 ||4,356
|}
<ol type="a">
<li>{{note|gva_a}} includes hunting and forestry</li>
<li>{{note|gva_b}} includes energy and construction</li>
<li>{{note|gva_c}} includes financial intermediation services indirectly measured</li>
<li>{{note|gva_d}} Components may not sum to totals due to rounding</li>
</ol>

Runcorn has two shopping centres. The original shopping area was in the older part of the town on High Street, Regent Street and Church Street.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www2.halton.gov.uk/content/environment/towncentres/?a=5441 |title=Town centres |access-date=28 June 2007 |publisher=Halton Borough Council |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070513104430/http://www2.halton.gov.uk/content/environment/towncentres/?a=5441 |archive-date=13 May 2007}}</ref> This centre continues to exist, but with the coming of the new town, has declined. In the centre of the new town, [[Runcorn Shopping City]] is an enclosed [[shopping mall]] with two attached bus stations.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www2.halton.gov.uk/content/environment/towncentres/haltonlea?a=5441 |title=Halton Lea |date=28 July 2006 |access-date=28 June 2007 |publisher=Halton Borough Council |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070216231618/http://www2.halton.gov.uk/content/environment/towncentres/haltonlea?a=5441 |archive-date=16 February 2007}}</ref> Adjacent to it is Trident Retail Park, containing shopping outlets and a cinema and nearby is a large [[Asda]] [[superstore]] that opened in 1989.

==Transport==
[[File:Runcorn Bridges.jpg|thumb|Runcorn Railway Bridge (left) and the Silver Jubilee Bridge (right)]]
The Runcorn New Town Masterplan created three distinct types of road: busways, expressways and local roads.<ref name="New Town Masterplan" /> In addition, there is a network of dedicated [[Segregated cycle facilities|cycleways]] in the town.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www4.halton.gov.uk/Pages/traffic/cycling.aspx |title=Cycling and walking |access-date=23 June 2018 |publisher=Halton Borough Council |archive-date=23 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623170345/https://www4.halton.gov.uk/Pages/traffic/cycling.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[Runcorn Busway]] was the world's first [[bus rapid transit]] system.<ref name="Runcorn Busway JSTOR">{{cite journal |last=Lesley |first=Lewis |date=1983 |title=Runcorn – A Rapid Transit New Town? |jstor=23286723 |journal=Built Environment |volume=9 |issue=3/4 |page=234}}</ref> First conceived in the Runcorn New Town Masterplan in 1966, it opened for services in 1971 and all {{cvt|22|km|mi}} were operational by 1980.<ref name="RUDI 7.3 Transport">{{cite web |url=http://www.rudi.net/books/3346 |title=Runcorn New Town – 7.3 Transport |website=rudi.net |access-date=24 July 2020 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018012240/http://www.rudi.net/books/3346 |archive-date=18 October 2014}}</ref> It is a road network for use by buses only and, unlike guided busways or bus lanes, it is a totally separate road system, not running alongside (or down the middle of) existing roads. It was designed so that most residents would be no more than five minutes' walking distance, or {{convert|500|yard|m}}, from a bus stop.<ref name="New Town Masterplan" /> The central station is at Runcorn Shopping City, where buses arrive on dedicated raised busways to two enclosed stations.<ref name="Tale of Two Centres" /> Professor Arthur Ling, Runcorn Development Corporation's Master Planner, claimed to have invented the concept while sketching on the back of an envelope.<ref name="Arthur Ling">{{cite web |last=Crabtree |first=Gordon |date=6 August 1971 |title=Runcorn Busway creates worldwide interest |publisher=Commercial Motor |url=http://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/6th-august-1971/32/runcorn-busway-creates-worldwide-interest |access-date=25 July 2020 |archive-date=25 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725010701/http://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/6th-august-1971/32/runcorn-busway-creates-worldwide-interest |url-status=live }}</ref> As of 2025, bus services are provided by [[Arriva North West]], Anthony's Travel, Howards Travel, Ashcroft Travel, Halton Community Transport and [[Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire]].<ref name="HBC Bus Timetables">{{cite web |url=https://www3.halton.gov.uk/Pages/publictransport/bus-timetables.aspx |title=Bus timetables in Halton |publisher=Halton Borough Council |access-date=16 July 2020 |archive-date=16 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716151612/https://www3.halton.gov.uk/Pages/publictransport/bus-timetables.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> Two coach companies operate from the town; [[Selwyns Travel]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.selwyns.co.uk/ |title=Coach hire Liverpool, Manchester, Merseyside, the Wirral and Cheshire |access-date=23 June 2013 |publisher=Selwyns Travel Ltd |archive-date=7 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130707081005/http://www.selwyns.co.uk/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and Anthony's Travel.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.anthonys-travel.co.uk/ |title=Anthony's Travel |access-date=28 June 2007 |publisher=Anthony's Travel |archive-date=27 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927043316/http://www.anthonys-travel.co.uk/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The expressways form a ring road around the town in a figure of eight and are intended to keep all through traffic off the local roads.<ref name="New Town Masterplan" /> This system links north to [[Widnes]] and [[Liverpool]] by the A533 over the [[Mersey Gateway]] bridge, east to [[Warrington]] by the [[A56 road|A56]], south to [[Northwich]] and north Cheshire by the A533, and west by the A557 to the [[M56 motorway|M56]] and to [[Frodsham]]. The M56 links to the [[M6 motorway|M6]] and, to the north of Widnes, the A557 links to the [[M62 motorway|M62]].<ref>''Landranger'' 108, 109 and 117 maps, [[Ordnance Survey]]</ref>

There are two railway stations. [[Runcorn railway station|Runcorn]], in the old town, is on the Liverpool branch of the [[West Coast Main Line]] and managed by [[Avanti West Coast]], which provides services between [[Liverpool Lime Street railway station|Liverpool Lime Street]] and [[Euston railway station|London Euston]]. [[West Midlands Trains]] run a service between Liverpool and Birmingham New Street that calls at the station. [[Runcorn East railway station|Runcorn East station]], in the new town's Murdishaw district, is managed by [[Transport for Wales Rail|Transport for Wales]], and provides services to [[Warrington Bank Quay railway station|Warrington]], [[Manchester Piccadilly railway station|Manchester]], [[Chester railway station|Chester]] and [[North Wales]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www3.halton.gov.uk/transportandstreets/publictransport/trainsinformationandadvice/ |title=Trains – information and advice |access-date=23 June 2013 |publisher=Halton Borough Council |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130830202107/http://www3.halton.gov.uk/transportandstreets/publictransport/trainsinformationandadvice/ |archive-date=30 August 2013}}</ref>

Runcorn is {{cvt|8|mi|km}} from [[Liverpool John Lennon Airport]] and {{cvt|22|mi|km}} from [[Manchester Airport]].

==Landmarks==
{{see also|Listed buildings in Runcorn (urban area)}}
[[File:The ruins of Halton Castle looking towards the Mersey Gateway in Runcorn, Cheshire, England.jpg|thumb|Halton Castle overlooking the Mersey Gateway Bridge]]

There are two Grade I [[listed building]]s and [[scheduled monuments]] in Runcorn: [[Halton Castle]] and [[Norton Priory]]. Halton Castle is one of two remaining Norman castles in Cheshire, built in 1071 and reconstructed in local sandstone in the 13th century. The castle was [[Slighting|slighted]] following the Civil War and the gatehouse converted to a courthouse in 1737, now [[Castle Hotel, Halton|The Castle]] public house and a Grade II* listed building in its own right. Norton Priory, now a museum, is the most excavated monastic site in Europe, consisting of the ruins of an Abbey, 12th century undercroft and 18th century Walled Garden. Norton Priory and Halton Castle are managed by Norton Priory Museum Trust Limited.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://nortonpriory.org/ |title=Norton Priory Museum & Gardens |access-date=21 July 2020 |archive-date=20 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200720064456/http://nortonpriory.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Most Grade II* listed buildings in the town are around the base of Halton Castle, including [[Seneschal's House]] (1598), [[Halton Old Hall]] (1693), [[Chesshyre Library]] (1730) and [[Halton Vicarage]] (1739). [[Hallwood, Cheshire|Hallwood]] (1710), a former mansion house, is also Grade II* listed and its former stable block is Grade II. But both have been derelict since the Tricorn public house closed in 2017.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www3.halton.gov.uk/lgnl/policyandresources/policyplanningtransportation/289056/289063/295476/Listed_Buildings_in_Halton.pdf |title=Listed Buildings in Halton |access-date=23 June 2013 |publisher=Halton Borough Council}}{{dead link|date=July 2018 |bot=MutchyMan112 |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The town's 19th century Anglican churches are also listed buildings, including the Grade II* [[All Saints Church, Runcorn|All Saints]] (1849) and [[St John the Evangelist's Church, Weston|St John's]] (1897), and the Grade II [[Holy Trinity Church, Runcorn|Holy Trinity]] (1838), [[Christ Church, Weston Point|Christ Church]] (1841) and [[St Mary's Church, Halton|St Mary's]] (1851).
[[File:Norton Water Tower, Runcorn - DSC06756.JPG|thumb|Norton Water Tower]]
The Runcorn home of the Duke of Bridgewater, [[Bridgewater House, Runcorn|Bridgewater House]], is a prominent landmark and Grade II listed building on the banks of the Manchester Ship Canal where a flight of locks from his canal once stood. The home of a later industrialist, Thomas Johnson, became [[Runcorn Town Hall]], a Grade II listed Italianate building with similarities to [[Osborne House]] on the Isle of Wight.<ref>{{Citation | last1 = Hartwell | first1 = Clare |last2 = Hyde | first2 = Matthew |last3 = Hubbard | first3 = Edward | author3-link=Edward Hubbard (architectural historian) | last4 =Pevsner | first4 =Nikolaus | author4-link =Nikolaus Pevsner | series= The Buildings of England| title = Cheshire | publisher =[[Yale University Press]]| year =2011| orig-year=1971| location =New Haven and London| isbn =978-0-300-17043-6 |page=561}}</ref>

The landmarks largest in scale are the three bridges which span the River Mersey and the Manchester Ship Canal at Runcorn. [[Runcorn Railway Bridge]] and the [[Silver Jubilee Bridge]] are Grade II* and II listed buildings respectively while the [[Mersey Gateway Bridge]] was officially opened in 2018 by [[Queen Elizabeth II]] and the [[Meghan, Duchess of Sussex|Duchess of Sussex]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/queen-meghan-markle-officially-open-14741714 |title=The Queen and Meghan Markle to officially open Mersey Gateway Bridge |date=4 June 2018 |publisher=Liverpool Echo |access-date=21 July 2020 |archive-date=21 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200721194616/https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/queen-meghan-markle-officially-open-14741714 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Norton Water Tower]] is another prominent Grade II listed landmark at {{cvt|112|ft|m}} high.<ref>{{Harvnb|Starkey|1990|p=162.}}</ref>

[[Runcorn War Memorial]] is Grade II listed and commemorates those who died in the [[First World War|First]] and [[Second World War]]s, as well as those killed in later conflicts.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1437933 |title=Runcorn War Memorial, non Civil Parish - 1437933 &#124; Historic England |access-date=24 February 2019 |archive-date=24 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190224231216/https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1437933 |url-status=live }}</ref> The garden contains a statue of [[Thomas Alfred Jones]] who was awarded the [[Victoria Cross]] in the First World War. There is a memorial in Halton Village commemorating residents who served in the [[Second Boer War|Boer War]].

[[Runcorn Shopping City]], at the heart of the New Town, was designed by [[Fred Roche|Fred Roche CBE]] and at the time of its construction was the largest covered shopping centre in Europe.<ref name="New Town Masterplan" /> It was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1972.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.shopping-city.co.uk/commercial/ |title=Commercial Opportunities |author=<!--Not stated--> |website=Runcorn Shopping City |access-date=27 February 2018 |archive-date=27 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227213813/https://www.shopping-city.co.uk/commercial/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Culture==

===Theatre and cinema===
[[File:Brindley Arts Centre, Runcorn.jpg|thumb|The Brindley Theatre in 2006]]
[[The Brindley]] is a theatre and arts centre which opened in 2004. It is in the old town and named after [[James Brindley]], engineer of the adjacent Bridgewater Canal.<ref name=backg>{{cite web |url=http://thebrindley.org.uk/brindley-background/ |title=Background |access-date=23 June 2013 |publisher=The Brindley |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528154220/http://thebrindley.org.uk/brindley-background/ |archive-date=28 May 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> It contains a [[proscenium]] theatre seating 420 and a multi-purpose theatre seating 108, The Studio, which doubles as a cinema. There is an exhibition space for art installations, a small café and multi-purpose rooms. The centre is owned and administered by Halton Borough Council, which runs community events in the building.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thebrindley.org.uk/facilities/ |title=Facilities |access-date=23 June 2013 |publisher=The Brindley |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130529135055/http://thebrindley.org.uk/facilities/ |archive-date=29 May 2013}}</ref> In 2007, it won 'Best Arts Project in the UK' at the National Lottery Awards.<ref name=backg/> A [[Multiplex (movie theater)|multiplex cinema]] was run by [[Cineworld]] at Trident Retail Park until its closure in 2023.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/money/cineworld-closing-two-cinemas-today-31511494 |title=Cineworld: Runcorn |access-date=28 June 2007 |publisher=Cineworld Cinemas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071024104107/http://www.cineworld.co.uk/reservation/ChoixResa.jgi?CINEMA=12 |archive-date=24 October 2007}}</ref>

===Media===
[[File:Waterloo Hotel, Runcorn.jpg|thumb|The former Waterloo Hotel, setting of ''The Archer'' in ''Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps'', now a Buddhist temple]]
Runcorn is served by two weekly newspapers: the ''Runcorn & Widnes Weekly News'', published by Trinity Mirror North West & North Wales and hosted online by the ''[[Liverpool Echo]]'',<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/all-about/runcorn-widnes |title=Runcorn and Widnes |work= Liverpool Echo |access-date=21 July 2020 |archive-date=21 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200721181038/https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/all-about/runcorn-widnes |url-status=live }}</ref> and the ''Runcorn and Widnes World'', published by [[Newsquest]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.runcornandwidnesworld.co.uk/ |title=Runcorn and Widnes World |access-date=21 July 2020 |archive-date=20 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200720212225/https://www.runcornandwidnesworld.co.uk/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The town is also home to Halton Community Radio, a volunteer-run radio station that broadcasts over the Runcorn and Widnes area.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hcr923fm.com/ |title=Halton Community Radio 92.3 FM |access-date=21 July 2020 |archive-date=21 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200721174126/https://www.hcr923fm.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It launched in 2008 with a five-year licence to broadcast.<ref>{{cite news |title=Station tunes in for relaunch |date=6 November 2008 |first=Paul |last=Glynn |work=Runcorn Weekly News |access-date=9 April 2009 |url=http://www.runcornandwidnesweeklynews.co.uk/runcorn-widnes-news/runcorn-widnes-local-news/2008/11/06/station-tunes-in-for-relaunch-55368-22189988/ |archive-date=27 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727023434/http://www.runcornandwidnesweeklynews.co.uk/runcorn-widnes-news/runcorn-widnes-local-news/2008/11/06/station-tunes-in-for-relaunch-55368-22189988/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The station has stopped broadcasting as of 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-25 |title=Halton Community Radio no longer broadcasting after company dissolution |url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2025/02/halton-community-radio-no-longer-broadcasting-after-company-dissolution/ |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=RadioToday |language=en-GB}}</ref>

The BBC situation comedy ''[[Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps]]'' was set in Runcorn and included external shots of the former Waterloo Hotel (known in the programme as ''The Archer''), the Silver Jubilee Bridge and Halton Castle.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/twopints/ |title=Two Pints of Lager & a Packet of Crisps |access-date=30 March 2007 |publisher=BBC |archive-date=21 March 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070321172731/http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/twopints/ |url-status=live }} 2007</ref> ''[[Drop Dead Gorgeous (TV series)|Drop Dead Gorgeous]]'', a drama on [[BBC Three]], was also set in Runcorn.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/programmes/gorgeous/ |title=Drop Dead Gorgeous |access-date=30 March 2007 |publisher=BBC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070315044751/http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/programmes/gorgeous/ |archive-date=15 March 2007}}</ref> The first two series of the BBC police drama ''[[Merseybeat (TV series)|Merseybeat]]'' featured sequences of the town<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0289817/ |title=Mersey Beat (2001–2004) |date=16 July 2001 |access-date=23 June 2013 |publisher=IMDb |archive-date=26 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130126131654/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0289817/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and areas of Runcorn old town featured in ''[[The Five (TV series)|The Five]]'' TV crime drama series on Sky1. Norton Priory has been used as a location in historical dramas, sitcoms and children's programmes, including ''[[Little Birds (TV series)|Little Birds]]'', ''Bone Detectives'' (Channel 4), ''[[Island at War]]'', ''[[Casanova (2005 TV serial)|Casanova]]'' and ''[[Young Dracula]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nortonpriory.org/filming.php |title=Filming at Norton Priory |website=Norton Priory Museum & Gardens |access-date=12 January 2022 |archive-date=13 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220113093133/https://www.nortonpriory.org/filming.php |url-status=live }}</ref> The Silver Jubilee Bridge featured in the Netflix series ''[[Stay Close]]''.<ref>{{cite news |title=Netflix gives shoutout to Silver Jubilee Bridge in Stay Close |date=11 January 2022 |first=Jack |last=Heale |work=Runcorn Widnes World |publisher=Newsquest Media Group Ltd |access-date=12 January 2022 |url=https://www.runcornandwidnesworld.co.uk/news/19839660.netflix-gives-shoutout-silver-jubilee-bridge-stay-close/ |archive-date=11 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111175456/https://www.runcornandwidnesworld.co.uk/news/19839660.netflix-gives-shoutout-silver-jubilee-bridge-stay-close/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Runcorn was a setting in the Netflix series ''[[The Last Kingdom (TV series)|The Last Kingdom]]'', but no scenes were filmed in the town.<ref>{{cite news |title='Something feels wrong' - Season 5 of Netflix series The Last Kingdom heads to Runcorn |date=16 March 2022 |first=Oliver |last=Clay |work=Liverpool Echo |publisher=Reach plc |access-date=26 April 2022 |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/something-feels-wrong-season-5-23405363 }}</ref>

===Literature===
''The Runcorn Ferry'' is a [[monologue]] by [[Marriott Edgar]] and popularised by [[Stanley Holloway]] celebrating the ancient river crossing which existed from the 12th century until the construction of the Transporter Bridge in 1905. It includes the lines:
{{cquote|Per tuppence per person per trip&nbsp;...
Per trip or per part of per trip.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://monologues.co.uk/Runcorn_Ferry.shtml |title=The Runcorn Ferry |publisher=monologues.co.uk |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517021828/http://monologues.co.uk/Runcorn_Ferry.shtml |archive-date=17 May 2014}}</ref>}}

==Community facilities==
[[File:Halton Lea Library at Runcorn Shopping City.jpg|thumb|Halton Lea Library]]
The main library is at [[Runcorn Shopping City]] with a branch library in the old town centre.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://library.haltonbc.info/opening-times/ |title=Library Opening Hours |access-date=1 March 2018 |publisher=Halton Borough Council |archive-date=17 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117143921/http://library.haltonbc.info/opening-times/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A Council 'one stop shop' called Halton Direct Link is based next to the main library.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www3.halton.gov.uk/Pages/councildemocracy/Contact-Us.aspx |title=Contact Us |access-date=1 March 2018 |publisher=Halton Borough Council |archive-date=2 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180302103925/https://www3.halton.gov.uk/Pages/councildemocracy/Contact-Us.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Halton Miniature Railway - geograph.org.uk - 449256.jpg|thumb|Halton Miniature Railway]]
Open areas in Runcorn form part of [[Mersey Forest]], one of Britain's [[Community Forests in England|community forests]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.merseyforest.org.uk/about/what-is-the-mersey-forest/ |title=What is The Mersey Forest? |access-date=1 March 2018 |publisher=The Mersey Forest |archive-date=25 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180325204501/http://www.merseyforest.org.uk/about/what-is-the-mersey-forest/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In addition to smaller local parks and allotments, there are four large parks in Runcorn:<ref name="Parks">{{cite web |url=https://www3.halton.gov.uk/Pages/libraries/parks.aspx |title=Parks and Allotments |publisher=Halton Borough Council |access-date=1 March 2018 |archive-date=2 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180302103901/https://www3.halton.gov.uk/Pages/libraries/parks.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Town Park, Runcorn|Town Park]] forms the centre of the eastern part of the New Town. It is accessible from all of the surrounding communities and links them to [[Runcorn Shopping City|Shopping City]]. There is a privately operated dry ski slope in the park in addition to a volunteer-run 7 1/4" gauge miniature railway, first opened in 1979, which runs through the park for almost a mile.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.haltonminiaturerailway.co.uk |title=Halton Miniature Railway |access-date=10 March 2018 |publisher=Halton Miniature Railway |archive-date=22 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922102048/http://haltonminiaturerailway.co.uk/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Phoenix Park, Runcorn|Phoenix Park]] adjoins Town Park to the north and includes a cafe, rock climbing wall, skate park and BMX track. There is a pavilion, walking routes along the [[Bridgewater Canal]], woodland walks, a lake, picnic benches and a children's playground.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://windmillhill.online/phoenix-park/ |title=PHOENIX PARK – Windmill Hill Online |work=Windmill Hill Online |access-date=27 February 2019 |archive-date=30 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930164615/http://windmillhill.online/phoenix-park/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Footpaths lead to Norton Priory.
*Runcorn Hill Park and Local Nature Reserve is in the centre of the western part of the town, partly on a dis-used nineteenth-century quarry. It holds a [[Green Flag Award]] and incorporates natural woodland and heathland with more formal landscaping, playing fields, a bandstand, model boating lake, sporting facilities and cafe. A [[Chirotherium]] dinosaur footprint discovered in the quarry can be viewed in the cafe.
*[[Wigg Island]] is a large park and nature reserve to the north on the banks of the Mersey and Manchester Ship Canal. The community park was opened on 19 April 2002 by the Mayor of Halton and Bill Oddie. The island is named after [[Charles Wigg]]. It covers 23 hectares of a former industrial site and includes several [[bird hide|bird watching hides]]. It is reached via The Old Quay Bridge, a Grade II listed swing bridge built in 1894.

There are three privately run swimming pools at Beechwood Community Centre, INARA club and Holiday Inn Runcorn. The local authority runs two leisure centres and swimming pools at Runcorn Swimming Pool and Brookvale Recreation Centre in addition to outdoor sporting facilities in its parks.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www2.halton.gov.uk/content/tourismandleisure/sports?a=5441 |title=Sports in Halton |access-date=29 March 2007 |publisher=Halton Borough Council |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070413101824/http://www2.halton.gov.uk/content/tourismandleisure/sports?a=5441 |archive-date=13 April 2007}}</ref>

Runcorn's hospital is [[Halton General Hospital]], which is administered by the [[Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust]]. It has an Urgent Care Centre but acute medical services are provided by [[Warrington Hospital]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://whh.nhs.uk/about-us/our-hospitals/halton-general-hospital |title=Halton General Hospital |access-date=22 July 2020 |website=Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust |archive-date=21 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200721231246/https://whh.nhs.uk/about-us/our-hospitals/halton-general-hospital |url-status=live }}</ref> The Cheshire and Merseyside Treatment Centre, a purpose-built hospital for orthopaedic surgery, is on the same site.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://whh.nhs.uk/about-us/our-hospitals/cheshire-and-merseyside-treatment-centre |title=Cheshire and Merseyside Treatment Centre |access-date=22 July 2020 |website=Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust |archive-date=21 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200721231356/https://whh.nhs.uk/about-us/our-hospitals/cheshire-and-merseyside-treatment-centre |url-status=live }}</ref> Halton Haven Hospice is in the Murdishaw area of the town.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.haltonhaven.org.uk |title=Halton Haven Hospice |access-date=1 March 2018 |publisher=Halton Haven Hospice |archive-date=2 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180302044646/https://www.haltonhaven.org.uk/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The body responsible for planning health services in Runcorn, including [[primary care]], is the Halton Clinical Commissioning Group.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.haltonccg.nhs.uk |title=Halton CCG Home |access-date=1 March 2018 |publisher=Halton Clinical Commissioning Group |archive-date=19 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150619182612/http://www.haltonccg.nhs.uk/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Cheshire Constabulary]] operate a police station adjacent to Runcorn Shopping City in the centre of the New Town and [[Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service]] maintains a 24-hour fire station.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cheshire.police.uk/contact/police-stations-and-custody-suites-in-cheshire/runcorn-police-station/ |title=Runcorn Police Station – Cheshire Police |access-date=23 June 2018 |publisher=Cheshire Constabulary |archive-date=5 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170705092502/https://cheshire.police.uk/contact/police-stations-and-custody-suites-in-cheshire/runcorn-police-station/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cheshirefire.gov.uk/about-us/local-fire-stations/runcorn-fire-station |title=Runcorn Fire Station |website=Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service |access-date=23 June 2018 |archive-date=23 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623170225/http://www.cheshirefire.gov.uk/about-us/local-fire-stations/runcorn-fire-station |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Sports==
===Football===
The town has two senior football teams, [[Runcorn Linnets|Runcorn Linnets FC]] and [[Runcorn Town|Runcorn Town FC]]. It also has a Sunday League and a Junior League, and an Open Age Women's Team, Runcorn Ladies FC. 

Runcorn Ladies FC were established in 2012, and played in the Liverpool Open Age Women's Division, finishing in an impressive 7th position in their very first season. The chairman and coaching team decided to agree a merge with Runcorn Linnets, two years later, and thus Runcorn Linnets Ladies were formed. 

Runcorn Linnets were formed as a trust-based team in 2006 from the now defunct [[Runcorn F.C. Halton]]. It has existed in various guises since 1918, and its performance peaked in 1982 when it won the [[Alliance Premier League]], then the highest division below the [[Football League]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.runcornlinnetsfc.co.uk/page.asp?HistoryAFC |title=A History of Runcorn AFC/Runcorn FC Halton |access-date=25 July 2010 |publisher=Runcorn Linnets FC |archive-date=19 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719025335/http://www.runcornlinnetsfc.co.uk/page.asp?HistoryAFC |url-status=live }}</ref>

Runcorn Town was formed in 1970 as Mond Rangers FC with the club changing their name in 2005 in order to "try and bring a more professional look to the club in general, and increase support from both businesses and individuals in the local community."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.runcorntown.co.uk/history.php |title=Club History |access-date=27 October 2010 |publisher=Runcorn Town FC |archive-date=5 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101205060909/http://www.runcorntown.co.uk/history.php |url-status=live }}</ref> After finishing in third place in the [[West Cheshire League]] at the end of the 2009/10 season, the club were elected to join the [[North West Counties Football League|North West Counties League]] at their AGM, the highest level that they have ever played at.<ref>{{cite news |title=Football: Runcorn Town accepted into Vodkat League |date=24 June 2010 |first=Dave |last=Bergin |work=Runcorn Weekly News |publisher=icCheshireOnline |url=http://www.runcornandwidnesweeklynews.co.uk/runcorn-widnes-sport/runcorn-town-fc/2010/06/24/football-runcorn-town-accepted-into-vodkat-league-55368-26710533/ |access-date=27 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100801123952/http://www.runcornandwidnesweeklynews.co.uk/runcorn-widnes-sport/runcorn-town-fc/2010/06/24/football-runcorn-town-accepted-into-vodkat-league-55368-26710533/ }}</ref>

===Rugby===
In the late 19th century, before the [[History of rugby league#The schism in England|1895 schism]], [[rugby union]] was played at the now defunct [[Runcorn RFC]]. When the [[rugby football]] schism occurred in 1895, Runcorn became founder members of the Northern Rugby Football Union (now [[Rugby Football League]]). Runcorn finished bottom of the league in the [[1914–15 Northern Rugby Football Union season|1914–15 season]] and did not recommence playing in the aftermath of the First World War.

Rugby league in the town is now represented by [[Runcorn Highfield ARLFC]].

===Other sports===
[[File:Runcorn Ski and Snowboard centre - geograph.org.uk - 3196747.jpg|thumb|The nursery slope at Runcorn Ski Centre]]
Runcorn Sports Club in Higher Runcorn hosts several clubs, including Runcorn Cricket Club, Hockey Club, Running Club and Subscription Bowling Club.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://runcornsportsclub.co.uk/ |title=Runcorn Sports Club |access-date=11 July 2020 |archive-date=11 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200711172804/https://runcornsportsclub.co.uk/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Runcorn Rowing Club]] is sited on the River Weaver Navigation near Clifton Village and also houses Runcorn Canoe Club.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.runcornrowing.com/ |title=Runcorn Rowing Club |access-date=29 March 2007 |publisher=Runcorn Rowing Club |archive-date=5 February 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080205065731/http://www.runcornrowing.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Weston Angling Club Runcorn is a private fishing club that owns Sandymoor Pool in the east of the town.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.westonanglingclubruncorn.co.uk/ |title=Weston Angling Club Runcorn |access-date=15 May 2021 |archive-date=15 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515161305/https://www.westonanglingclubruncorn.co.uk/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

There is an 18-hole golf course at Runcorn Golf Club in Clifton Road.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.englishgolf-courses.co.uk/cheshire/runcorn.php |title=Runcorn Golf Club |access-date=25 April 2007 |publisher=English Golf Courses |archive-date=27 April 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070427003732/http://www.englishgolf-courses.co.uk/cheshire/runcorn.php |url-status=live }}</ref> Nearby is Heath Tennis Club, which uses facilities at the Heath School.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/HeathTennisClub |title=Heath Tennis Club |access-date=11 July 2020 |archive-date=11 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200711194246/https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/HeathTennisClub |url-status=live }}</ref>

Runcorn Ski Centre in Town Park consists of three dry ski slopes: an 85-metre main slope, a 45-metre extended nursery slope, and a 25-metre nursery slope. The centre runs both skiing and snowboarding lessons.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.runcornskicentre.co.uk/ |title=Runcorn Ski Centre |access-date=29 March 2007 |publisher=Runcorn Ski Centre |archive-date=3 April 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070403143301/http://www.runcornskicentre.co.uk/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Runcorn had a [[professional wrestling school]] and promotion called the Runcorn Wrestling Academy (RWA) from 2005 until 2020, when it closed following allegations of sexual harassment during the [[Speaking Out movement]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/wrestling-school-shuts-suddenly-amid-18522335 |title=Wrestling school shuts suddenly amid sexual harassment allegations |publisher=Liverpool Echo |access-date=6 July 2020 |archive-date=6 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200706091655/https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/wrestling-school-shuts-suddenly-amid-18522335 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Notable people==
===Public service===
[[File:Thomas Alfred Jones VC, Cheshire Regiment.jpg|thumb|upright=0.65|140px|[[Thomas Alfred Jones]] VC, 1917]]
*The [[Barony of Halton]] (1071{{ndash}}1413) was a succession of 15 barons whose seat was [[Halton Castle]]
*[[Richard Brooke (Norton)|Richard Brooke]] (died 1569), soldier, bought the manor of [[Norton, Runcorn|Norton]] from [[Henry VIII]] in 1545
*[[John Savage, 2nd Earl Rivers]] (c. 1603–1654), politician and [[Cavalier|royalist]]
*[[Sir Henry Brooke, 1st Baronet]] (1611–1664), soldier and politician
*Sir [[John Chesshyre]] (1662–1738), lawyer, the king's first [[Serjeant-at-law]]<ref>{{Cite DNB |wstitle= Chesshyre, John |volume= 10 |last= Rigg |first= J.McM. |author-link= |pages= 200-201 |year=|short=1}}</ref>
*[[Thomas Alcock (clergyman)|Thomas Alcock]] (1709–1798), Vicar of Runcorn, writer, cider maker.<ref>{{Cite DNB|wstitle= Alcock, Thomas (1709-1798) |volume= 01 |last= Low |first= Sidney |author-link= Sidney Low |pages= 238-239|year=|short=1}}</ref>
*[[Thomas Hazlehurst (chapel builder)|Thomas Hazlehurst]] (1816–1876), [[Methodist]] who paid for the local construction of 12 chapels and 3 schools<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Vardy |first1=P.I. |title=Thomas Hazlehurst and his family |journal=Cheshire History |volume=2005–2006 |issue=45}}</ref>
*Sir [[John Rigby (politician)|John Rigby]]  (1834–1903), judge, politician, and MP for [[Wisbech (UK Parliament constituency)|Wisbech]]<ref>{{Cite DNB12 |wstitle= Rigby, John |volume= 3 |pages= 198-199 |last= Atlay |first= J.B. |author-link= |year=1912|short= 1}}</ref>
*[[Thomas Alfred Jones]] (1880–1956), awarded the [[Victoria Cross]] and [[Distinguished Conduct Medal]] during [[World War I|WWI]]<ref>{{cite book |last=Thompson |first=Dave |year=2002 |title=I Laughed Like Blazes!: The Life of Private Thomas 'Todger' Jones VC, DCM |publisher=D. Thompson |oclc=49907277}}</ref>

===Arts and entertainment===
[[File:Hall Caine, author, his books were dramatized (SAYRE 21666).jpg|thumb|140px|[[Hall Caine]], 1922]]
[[File:GirlsAloudOOCLive Nicola.jpg|thumb|upright=0.65|140px|[[Nicola Roberts]], 2009]]
*[[Elizabeth Jocelin]] (1595–1622), writer, wrote ''The Mother's Legacie to her Unborne Childe''.<ref>{{Cite DNB|wstitle= Jocelin, Elizabeth |volume= 29 |last= Cannan |first= Edwin |author-link= Edwin Cannan |page= 399 |year=|short=1}}</ref>
*[[Francis William Bourdillon]] (1852–1921), poet, translator, bibliophile and scholar<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.poemhunter.com/francis-william-bourdillon/ |title=Francis William Bourdillon |access-date=4 May 2016 |publisher=PoemHunter.com |archive-date=17 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160517171900/http://www.poemhunter.com/francis-william-bourdillon |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Sir [[Hall Caine]]  (1853–1931), novelist, dramatist, short story writer, poet and critic. [[World War I]] allied propagandist.<ref>{{cite book |last=Allen |first=Vivien |year=1997 |title=Hall Caine: Portrait of a Victorian Romancer |publisher=Sheffield Academic Press |isbn=1-85075-809-3}}</ref>
*[[Alistair Taylor]] (1935–2004) assistant to [[Brian Epstein]] and General Manager of [[Apple Corps]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0851949/ |title=IMDb Database |website=[[IMDb]] |access-date=26 July 2018 |archive-date=19 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170219113105/http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0851949/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Anna Keaveney]] (1949–2004), actress, played ''Marie Jackson'' in [[Brookside (TV series)]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0444208/ |title=IMDb Database |website=[[IMDb]] |access-date=26 July 2018 |archive-date=19 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170219144811/http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0444208/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Martin Roscoe]] (born 1952), classical pianist<ref>{{cite Grove |last=Morrison |first=Bryce |title=Martin Roscoe |url=https://doi.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.52155}}</ref>
*[[Phil Collins (artist)|Phil Collins]] (born 1970), artist, known for [[video art]], often featuring teenagers<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.artinamericamagazine.com/news-features/interviews/pop-politics-an-interview-with-phil-collins/ |title=Pop Politics: An Interview with Phil Collins |magazine=Art in America |last=Gaertner Gerbracht |first=Kerry |date=15 October 2013 |access-date=26 July 2018 |archive-date=26 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726234147/https://www.artinamericamagazine.com/news-features/interviews/pop-politics-an-interview-with-phil-collins/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Pete Edmunds]] (born c. 1972), actor, voice actor, photographer, and artist
*[[Melanie C]] (born 1974), singer.<ref name="whoiam18">{{cite book |last1=C |first1=Melanie |title=Who I Am: My Story |date=2023 |publisher=Welbeck |location=London, U.K. |isbn=9781802793383 |page=18|quote=Not least of all, our new home: 274A, Falcons View, on the Southgate Estate, in Runcorn. [...] We went from a three-bed, semi-detached house in a good area to a two-bed council flat in a, well, not so good area.}}</ref>
*[[Kym Marsh]] (born 1976), singer, TV presenter  and actress<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cheshire-live.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/ex-hearsay-stars-passion-runcorn-5273442 |title=Ex Hear'Say star's passion for Runcorn |access-date=2 December 2021 |date=27 April 2006 |work=CheshireLive |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090413190024/http://iccheshireonline.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100regionalnews/tm_objectid%3D17001927%26method%3Dfull%26siteid%3D50020%26headline%3Dex-hear-say-star-s-passion-for-runcorn--name_page.html |archive-date=13 April 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Raymond Waring]] (born 1977), actor, grew up locally<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0912264/ |publisher=IMDb |title=Raymond Waring |access-date=14 September 2013 |archive-date=20 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520123303/http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0912264/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Susan Nickson]] (born 1982), TV writer, screenwriter and [[executive producer]].<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/bbcworldwide/worldwidestories/pressreleases/2003/07_july/two_pints.shtml |title=Two Pints of Lager And a Packet of Crisps |access-date=6 April 2009 |publisher=BBC |archive-date=17 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017084852/http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/bbcworldwide/worldwidestories/pressreleases/2003/07_july/two_pints.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Lee Scott (rapper)|Lee Scott]] (born 1985), rapper, author, producer and co-founder of record label [[Blah Records]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://trendjackers.com/outstanding-examples-modern-music-marketing/ |title=5 Outstanding Examples of Modern Music Marketing |date=17 January 2017 |website=Trendjackers |access-date=30 March 2020}}</ref>
*[[Nicola Roberts]] (born 1985), singer and member of girl band [[Girls Aloud]], grew up locally<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nicolaroberts.net/page3/page3.html |title=About Nicola |access-date=23 April 2007 |publisher=Nicola Roberts [dot net] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070430224300/http://www.nicolaroberts.net/page3/page3.html |archive-date=30 April 2007}}</ref>

===Business, industry and science===
[[File:Hamilton Castner 1890s.jpg|thumb|upright=0.65|140px|[[Hamilton Castner]], 1890s]]
*[[Nathan Alcock]] (1707–1779), physician<ref>{{Cite DNB|wstitle= Alcock, Nathan |volume= 01 |last= Moore |first= Norman |author-link= Sir Norman Moore, 1st Baronet |pages= 237-238 |year=|short=1}}</ref>
*[[Thomas Hazlehurst (businessman)|Thomas Hazlehurst]] (1779–1842), founder of soap and alkali manufacturer [[Hazlehurst & Sons]]
*[[Charles Wigg]] (1824–1899), manufacturer of chemicals at Wigg Works, which later became [[Wigg Island]]
*[[William Allen Whitworth]] (1840–1905), mathematician and priest in the Church of England<ref>{{Cite DNB12 |wstitle= Whitworth, William Allen |volume= 3 |last= Owen |first= D.J. |author-link= |pages= 655-656 |year=|short=1}}</ref>
*[[Hamilton Castner]] (1858–1899), American industrial chemist, formed the Castner-Kellner Alkali Company in Runcorn, which operates the [[Castner–Kellner process]]
*Sir [[William Edward Dudley]] (1868–1938), president of the [[British co-operative movement#Co-operative Wholesale Society|Co-operative Wholesale Society]]<ref>{{cite ODNB |last=Purvis |first=Martin |title=Dudley, Sir William Edward (1868–1938) |year=2004 |doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/50551 |url=http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/50551 |access-date=13 July 2015}} ({{ODNBsub}})</ref>
*Sir [[William Coates (businessman)|William Coates]] (1882–1963), businessman, worked principally for [[Imperial Chemical Industries]] (ICI).
*[[Wilson Baker]]  (1900–2002), organic chemist and academic
*[[John Riley Holt]]  (1918–2009), Professor at [[University of Liverpool|Liverpool University]], helped develop the [[Nuclear weapon|atom bomb]]<ref>{{cite news |date=9 March 2009 |title=Professor John Holt: experimental physicist |work=[[The Times]] |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/science/article/professor-john-holt-experimental-physicist-ct2hzt7wsl7 |access-date=2 December 2021 |first1=Charles |last1=Bremner |first2=David |last2=Robertson |archive-date=3 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211203054505/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/professor-john-holt-experimental-physicist-ct2hzt7wsl7 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Sir [[Peter Baxendell]] (1925–2025), businessman, an oil-man who worked for [[Shell plc]] from 1946 to 1985
*[[Ian Gibbons (biochemist)|Ian Gibbons]] (1946–2013), biochemist and [[molecular biology]] researcher, worked for [[Theranos]]

===Sports===
[[File:Harry Speakman.png|thumb|upright=0.65|140px|[[Harry Speakman]], 1888]]
[[File:Shauna Coxsey GBR 2017-08-19 2214.jpg|thumb|140px|[[Shauna Coxsey]], 2017]]
*[[Harry Speakman]] (1864–1915), rugby player, he toured New Zealand and Australia for the [[British & Irish Lions]] 
*[[Jack Fish (rugby league)|Jack Fish]] (1878–1940), rugby league player, played 321 games for [[Warrington Wolves]]
*[[Alf Peacock]] (1891 – dod unknown), rugby league player, played 485 games including 367 for [[Warrington Wolves]]
*[[Ernest Shaw|Ernie Shaw]] (1894–1973) rugby league player, played 365 games, including 259 for [[St Helens R.F.C.]]
*[[Robert Done]] (1904–1982), footballer, played over 200 games, including 147 for [[Liverpool F.C.]]
*[[Bridget Duke-Wooley]] (1915–1976), alpine skier, competed in the [[1948 Winter Olympics]]
*[[Ray Dutton]] (born 1945), rugby league player, played 480 games, including 398 for [[Widnes Vikings]]
*[[Graham Abel]] (born 1960), footballer, played over 500 games including 296 for [[Chester City F.C.]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Graham Abel |url=http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=4 |website=SoccerBase Database |access-date=26 July 2018 |archive-date=26 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726201811/http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=4 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Ian White (darts player)|Ian White]] (born 1970), darts player, competes in [[Professional Darts Corporation]] events
*[[Robin Reid (boxer)|Robin Reid]] (born 1971), boxer, bronze medallist at the [[Boxing at the 1992 Summer Olympics – Light middleweight|1992 Summer Olympics]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Robin Reid |url=http://boxrec.com/en/boxer/5000 |website=BoxRec.com |access-date=26 July 2018 |archive-date=26 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726233937/http://boxrec.com/en/boxer/5000 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Kieron Durkan]] (1973–2018), footballer, played 275 games; raised locally
*[[Michael Jackson (footballer, born 1973)|Mike Jackson]] (born 1973), footballer, played 554 games including 245 for [[Preston North End F.C.]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Mike Jackson |url=http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=3855 |website=SoccerBase Database |access-date=26 July 2018 |archive-date=17 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180617165412/http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=3855 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Kenny Lunt]] (born 1979), footballer, played 619 games including 373 for [[Crewe Alexandra F.C.]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Kenny Lunt |url=http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=10892 |website=SoccerBase Database |access-date=26 July 2018 |archive-date=26 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726233810/http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=10892 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Lorna Webb]] (born 1983), professional cyclist
*[[Scott Brown (footballer, born May 1985)|Scott Brown]] (born 1985), footballer, played 388 games, including 106 for [[Accrington Stanley F.C.]]<ref>{{cite web |title=21. Scott Brown |url=http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=39394 |website=SoccerBase Database |access-date=26 July 2018 |archive-date=26 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726201828/http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=39394 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Jimmy McNulty (footballer)|Jimmy McNulty]] (born 1985), footballer, played 406 games, now manager of [[Rochdale A.F.C.]]<ref>{{cite web |title=4. Jim McNulty |url=http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=36254 |website=SoccerBase Database |access-date=26 July 2018 |archive-date=26 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726201809/http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=36254 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Shauna Coxsey]]  (born 1993), professional rock climber, has won the [[IFSC Climbing World Cup]]<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.runcornandwidnesweeklynews.co.uk/news/runcorn-rock-climber-second-best-planet-7357612 |title=Runcorn rock-climber second best on the planet after winning silver at Bouldering World Cup |work=Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News |access-date=4 July 2014 |archive-date=18 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140818192614/http://www.runcornandwidnesweeklynews.co.uk/news/runcorn-rock-climber-second-best-planet-7357612 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Ted Chapelhow]] (born 1995), rugby league player, played 143 games
*[[Luke Littler]] (born 2007), darts player, competes in [[Professional Darts Corporation]] events

==See also==
*[[List of listed buildings in Runcorn]]
*[[List of schools in Halton]]
* {{portal-inline|Cheshire}}

==References==
'''Citations'''
{{reflist}}

'''Sources'''
{{refbegin}}
*{{cite book |last=Greene |first=J. Patrick |author-link=J. Patrick Greene |title=Norton Priory: The archaeology of a medieval religious house |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=1989 |location=Cambridge |isbn=0-521-33054-8}}
*{{cite book |last=Nickson |first=Charles |title=History of Runcorn; with an account of the ancient village of Weston ... Drawings by H. Fitton. [Reprinted from the "Runcorn Guardian."] |url=http://access.bl.uk/item/viewer/ark:/81055/vdc_000000000600 |publisher=Mackie & Co. |year=1887 |location=London and Warrington |oclc=5389146 |access-date=26 July 2020 |archive-date=27 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727053202/http://access.bl.uk/item/viewer/ark:/81055/vdc_000000000600 |url-status=live }}
*{{cite book |last1=Phillips |first1=A.D.M. |last2=Phillips |first2=C.B. |title=A New Historical Atlas of Cheshire |publisher=Cheshire County Council |year=2002 |location=Chester |isbn=0-904532-46-1}}
*{{cite book |last=Starkey |first=H.F. |title=Schooner Port: Two Centuries of Upper Mersey Sail |publisher=G.W. & A. Hesketh |year=1983 |location=Ormskirk |isbn=0-905777-34-4}}
*{{cite book |last=Starkey |first=H.F. |title=Old Runcorn |publisher=Halton Borough Council |year=1990}}
*{{cite book |last=Thompson |first=Dave |title=Bridging the Years: The Story of Runcorn-Widnes Transporter Bridge |publisher=Dave Thompson |year=2000 |location=Runcorn}}
{{refend}}

==Further reading==
{{refbegin}}
*{{cite book |last=Cowan |first=C.A. |title=Runcorn Ferry and Hale Ford |publisher=Halton Borough Council |series=Crossing the Runcorn Gap |year=1990}}
*{{cite book |last=Cowan |first=C.A. |title=Runcorn Railway Bridge |publisher=Halton Borough Council |series=Crossing the Runcorn Gap |year=1990}}
*{{cite book |last=Cowan |first=C.A. |title=Runcorn Town Hall: A History and Description |publisher=Halton Borough Council |year=1990}}
*{{cite book |last=Cowan |first=C.A. |title=Early Bridging Proposals |publisher=Halton Borough Council |series=Crossing the Runcorn Gap |year=1992}}
*{{cite book |last=Halton Borough Council |title=The Bridging of Runcorn Gap |publisher=Halton Borough Council |year=1978}}
*{{cite book |last=Howard |first=Liz. |title=The Way We Were&nbsp;– Runcorn Remembered: A Social History |publisher=Aurora |year=1993 |location=Manchester |isbn=1-85926-031-4}}
*{{cite book |last=Howard |first=Liz. |title=Runcorn in Old Picture Postcards |publisher=European Library |series=Back in Time |year=1995 |location=Zaltbommel |isbn=90-288-6124-6}}
*{{cite book |last=Nicolle |first=Dorothy |title=Widnes and Runcorn: Photographic Memories |publisher=Frith Book Company |year=2004 |location=Salisbury |isbn=1-85937-854-4}}
*{{cite book |last=Starkey |first=H.F. |title=Runcorn in Times Past |publisher=Countryside Publications |year=1980 |location=Chorley |isbn=0-86157-032-4}}
*{{cite book |last=Starkey |first=H.F. |title=Runcorn |publisher=Alan Sutton |series=The Old Photographs Series |year=1994 |location=Bath |isbn=0-7524-0025-8}}
*{{cite book |last=Starkey |first=H.F. |title=Runcorn&nbsp;– The Second Selection |publisher=Tempus |series=Images of England |year=1999 |location=Stroud |isbn=0-7524-1826-2}}
*{{cite book |last=Starkey |first=H.F. |title=Runcorn: A Century of Change |publisher=Tempus |series=Images of England |year=2005 |location=Stroud |isbn=0-7524-3617-1}}
*{{cite book |last=Starkey |first=H.F. |title=Runcorn: A Town not so New |publisher=MiddleView |year=2008 |location=Gwespyr, Flintshire |isbn=978-1-902964-08-9}}
*{{cite book |last=Thompson |first=Dave |title=Over the Hill: An Historical Look at Runcorn Hill and its Locality |publisher=Dave Thompson |year=2000a |location=Runcorn}}
*{{cite book |last=Thompson |first=Dave |title=Bridging the Mersey: A Pictorial History |publisher=European Library |series=Back in Time |year=2000b |location=Zaltbommel |isbn=90-288-2640-8}}
*{{cite book |last=Thompson |first=Dave |title=Bridging Us Together: The Story of Runcorn–Widnes Bridge |publisher=Dave Thompson |year=2001 |location=Runcorn}}
*{{cite book |last=Thompson |first=Dave |title=The Changing Face of Runcorn |publisher=Sutton |series=Britain in Old Photographs |year=2004 |location=Stroud |isbn=0-7509-3507-3}}
*{{cite book |last=Whimperley |first=Arthur |title=Halton Castle: An Introduction and Visitors' Handbook |publisher=Arthur Whimperley |year=1981 |location=Widnes}}
*{{cite book |last=Whimperley |first=Arthur |title=The Barons of Halton |publisher=MailBook Publishing |year=1986 |location=Widnes}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{Wikivoyage|Runcorn}}
{{EB1911 Poster|Runcorn}}
*[http://www.runcornhistsoc.org.uk Runcorn & District Historical Society.]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20141018023325/http://www.rudi.net/books/3355 Resource for Urban Development International on Runcorn New Town]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vd6B4QfkqUg 1974 Canadian documentary film about Runcorn New Town]
*[https://x.com/bbcarchive/status/786948903438397440 1971 BBC Archive video on the Runcorn Busway]
*[https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p01rk56y/where-we-live-now-3-new-town-home-town#t=35m32s 1979 BBC film, ''Where We Live Now'']

{{Cheshire, Borough of Halton}}
{{Cheshire}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Runcorn| ]]
[[Category:Towns in Cheshire]]
[[Category:Planned communities in England]]
[[Category:Borough of Halton]]
[[Category:Unparished areas in Cheshire]]
[[Category:Planned communities established in the 1960s]]
[[Category:Port cities and towns in North West England]]
[[Category:915 establishments]]
[[Category:Populated places established in the 10th century]]
[[Category:10th-century establishments in England]]
[[Category:Former civil parishes in Cheshire]]