About Runcorn in Cheshire

Runcorn is a town in the unitary authority of Halton in Cheshire, England. The town lies on the southern bank of the River Mersey, opposite the city of Liverpool. Runcorn was a small market town until the Industrial Revolution when it became a major town and port. Its population has grown rapidly in recent years and now stands at around 80,000.

The town has a long history, dating back to the 9th century when it was known as 'Runehora'. It was an important crossing point of the River Mersey and was recorded in the Domesday Book. In the 12th century, a castle was built to protect the crossing and the town became a Royal Borough. Runcorn's importance as a port increased in the 14th century with the construction of a new quay and wharf.

The Industrial Revolution brought great changes to Runcorn. The opening of the Bridgewater Canal in 1761 made it possible to transport coal from Worsley to Runcorn, where it was loaded onto ships bound for Liverpool. The construction of the Manchester Ship Canal in 1894 made Runcorn an even more important port, and the town grew rapidly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Today, Runcorn is a thriving town with a busy port and a growing economy. It is home to a number of businesses, including chemical, pharmaceutical and manufacturing companies. The town also has a lively retail and leisure scene, with a number of shops, restaurants and bars. There are good transport links to Liverpool and Manchester, making Runcorn an ideal place to live and work.