Runcorn
Runcorn is an industrial town and cargo port in the Borough of Halton in Cheshire, England. The town is in the southeast of the Liverpool City Region on the southern bank of the River Mersey where the estuary narrows to form the Runcorn Gap.
There is much by the way of employment opportunities for the residents of Runcorn, with great transport links to centre of Liverpool and Manchester airport less than 30 minutes away by car.
Good highway connections also make for short journey times to popular leisure destinations such as the Mersey Gateway, Gullivers World Theme Park and Knowsley Safari.
Runcorn Shopping City, at the heart of the New Town, was designed by Fred Roche CBE and at the time of its construction was the largest covered shopping centre in Europe. It was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1972 and has 125,000 visitors per week.
Comprising over 60 stores. Originally anchored by Littlewoods and Woolworths, as of 2020 the main anchor store is The Range. The centre also hosts many smaller retailers and has introduced an incubator for local start-up outlets in “The Box”
Halton Castle
Close by is Halton Castle, which is one of the two surviving Norman castles in Chesire. The picturesque attraction sits on a rocky hill overlooking the Mersey River above the former village of Halton.
This location is a clear choice for its elevation and potential as an observation post. There are a number of fascinating features such as the sally port, garderobe and tower. The castle itself is opened for special events and tours several times a year, however, it is accessible to walk around the castle walls at any time of the year.