Car Hire St Helens - Mini guide to St Helens

Centrally located in Merseyside, St Helens was only a small village in the 14th century, and was named after the ancient chapel situated near the site of the town's present parish church. The borough was expanded to incorporate neighbouring villages; thus, present-day St Helens has an intriguing mix of ancient sites, historic buildings and peaceful expanses of greenery.

Perhaps the most interesting of the town’s attractions is the ancient Windleshaw Chantry. Built around 1453 by Sir Thomas Gerard, it was originally a tiny chantry chapel founded to provide a place to celebrate mass for the souls of the Gerard family. The abbey and grounds are a pleasant place to spend a relaxing morning or afternoon.

The present church of St Helen is a relatively modern structure, built between 1916 and 1926, and presumed to be situated somewhere near the site of the early church that gave the town its name.

Nearer the centre of the town is the 17th century building of the Society of Friends Meeting House, which is described as being the oldest meeting house still in use in the historic county of Lancashire. Modern research, however, may suggest that this building is of even greater antiquity. The town also has a selection of galleries, museums, parks and markets.

St Helens has plenty of quality accommodation and a selection of excellent restaurants. Nightlife is not very lively; however, there are some charming old pubs and bars creating a relaxed atmosphere. Visitors can try their luck at the nearby Haydock Park racecourse.

Not far from St Helens, Newton-le-Willows contains the remains of a Roman road and was designated a market town as early as 1258. Some sources say that the oldest part of Newton-le-Willows is Castle Hill which, due to deposits found here, could date back to the time of the Druids, around 55 BC to 61 AD. Other sources think that it could be a memorial of some great battle between the Saxons and the native Britons. Farther away lies Liverpool, where there are plenty of great attractions of a more modern nature.

By road, St Helens is 325kms from London. Take the M1 and then M6; exit at junction 23 and follow the A580 into the town. There are regular train services to Liverpool and Manchester, and beyond.