Five Little-Known Facts About Wigan

Wigan may be famous for pies and rugby league, but beneath the surface, our northern gem is packed with quirky history, unexpected claims to fame, and some downright bizarre stories. Whether you're a proud Wiganer or just curious, here are five surprising facts that make this town truly unique!

1. The Town That Inspired Orwell’s Classic

George Orwell’s famous book The Road to Wigan Pier wasn’t just a catchy title—it was based on his real experiences in the town. Orwell visited Wigan in the 1930s to document working-class life, and his writing shone a light on the harsh conditions of coal miners. Wigan Pier of course, wasn’t actually a "pier" at all, it was just a nickname for a coal loading dock by the canal.

Despite its gritty reputation in Orwell’s book, modern-day Wigan has embraced its literary connection. Today, Wigan Pier is a cultural hotspot, featuring museums, arts venues, and a lively canal-side scene. Orwell might not recognize it now, but we’re sure he’d be impressed!

2. Wigan Hosts the Pie-Eating World Championship

If there’s one thing Wigan is famous for, it’s pies. We even hosts the annual World Pie Eating Championship, where competitors battle it out to scoff their way to glory. Held at Harry's Bar, this high-stakes event attracts contestants from all over, each attempting to devour a traditional meat-and-potato pie in record time.  

The current Pie Eating Champion is 43-year-old Michael Chant from Bury who demolished his pastry in 57.2 seconds during a pie-off.

3. Wigan Once Had the World’s Biggest Disco Ball

Believe it or not, Wigan was home to the world's largest disco ball! In 2013, a colossal 10-meter-wide, glittering sphere was unveiled in the town, weighing in at a staggering two tons. Suspended from a crane, this shimmering beast took Wigan’s love for Northern Soul and disco to a whole new level.

The town has a legendary music history, with the Wigan Casino nightclub being a mecca for Northern Soul fans in the 1970s. Thousands would flock there for all-night dance marathons, spinning and stomping to rare soul tracks. The 50th anniversary of the opening of Wigan Casino was celebrated last year. Even today, Wigan’s musical spirit shines as brightly as that giant disco ball!

4. Wigan Was a Hollywood Stunt Double

You might think of Wigan as a down-to-earth northern town, but did you know it once played the role of London in a blockbuster movie? In 2012, the town's disused Parkside Colliery was transformed into a film set for The Dark Knight Rises, the final installment of Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy.

The site was used for key scenes featuring Tom Hardy’s villainous Bane, proving that Wigan has a darker, cinematic side! Who needs Gotham when you have a former colliery with just the right amount of grit and drama?

5. The Grand Arcade’s Secret Roman Treasure

Shopping here in Wigan is more historical than you’d think! When construction began on the Grand Arcade shopping centre, archaeologists discovered something incredible—remnants of a Roman settlement beneath the site. It turns out Wigan was once home to a Roman fort called Coccium, dating back nearly 2,000 years.

Subsequent investigation by Oxford Archaeology North uncovered a huge colonnaded building from the 2nd century AD.  This was thought to be a Mansio - a Roman hotel.  It contained a hypocaust and bath house.

Wigan is full of surprises, from record-breaking disco balls to Batman-worthy film sets. . So, which of these facts surprised you the most? Let us know!