St Helens is a borough with no shortage of history and character- embodied perfectly by its many beautiful buildings and structures.
Historic England, the public body that looks after England's historic environment, oversees a register of listed buildings and sites in the borough, ranging from Grade I and Grade II* status to Grade II. The borough mainly comprises of a number of stunning and fascinating Grade II listed buildings and structures, from Church of St Mary to Cannington Shaw Bottle Shop and more.
But we've decided to take a look at the Grade 1 and Grade II* listed buildings and monuments in the borough that too form a huge part of St Helens. The ECHO took a look at these fascinating buildings and sites which help form the jewels in St Helens ' crown.
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Grade I
Sankey Viaduct over Sankey Brook
First listed in 1966, the Sankey Viaduct over Sankey Brook is located on Bradley Lane and is the only structure of Grade I listed status in St Helens.
An 1830 railway viaduct by George Stephenson, it comprises of nine round-arches and Historic England said it is of "international significance" due to being the "earliest major railway viaduct in the world."
Grade II*
Statue of Queen Victoria
First listed in 1984, the Statue of Queen Victoria can be found in Victoria Square
On the statue, a bronze plaque on plinth reads "VICTORIA/1837-1901" and the figure of Victoria is finely detailed and is similar to the Victoria statue in Leeds by the same sculptor.
Tank House
No.9 Tank House, beside canal at Crown Glass Works, is located on Watson Street and as first listed in 1985.
Dating back to 1883, the rectangular gabled building has an oval cone rising through the roof and a plaque records the first glass tank, which started working there in 1887.
Ruins of Windleshaw Abbey
Ruins of Chapel of St Thomas of Canterbury, Windlehurst Roman Catholic Cemetery, is located on Abbey Road in St Helens.
First listed in 1951, the ruins comprises of a Celtic-style cross at the east end, two light bell openings and more.
West Derby War Memorial
First listed in 2001, the West Derby War Memorial is located on the junction of St Helens Road and Burrow's Lane in Eccleston.
Erected in 1922, it was designed by Walter Gilbert and Louis Weingartner and is listed due to its architectural, historical and sculputral interest - as well as its rarity.
Church of St Aidan
Listed in August 1966, the Church of St Aidan is located on Main Street.
Dated 1718 over entrance, its interior boasts round- arched arcades with Doric columns on high plinths, a tunnel- vaulted roof and is a "good example of an early Georgian church."
Entrance Archway to Randall's Nursery
Located on High Street, the Entrance Archway to Randall's Nursery was first listed in 1981.
Formerly listed as Archway with - wings (Entrance to Randalls Nurseries), Historic England said the entrance archway with flanking wings, originally at Haydock Lodge, is "probably very early 19th century."
Guildhall Farmhouse
Listed in 1966, Guildhall Farmhouse is located on Gores Lane, Rainford.
With features dating back as early as 1692, Historic England said it is "one of the best and most complete houses in the area."
159, 161 and 163 Crow Lane East
In Newton-Le-Willows, these properties on Crow Lane East have been listed since 1966.
The three houses have a thatched roof and timber frames and porches.
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Birchley Hall
Listed in August 1966, Birchley Hall is located on Birchley Road and is now a care home.
According to Historic England, a secret printing press operated in the house circa 1647, the 1st post-Reformation Catholic press in England.
Manor Farmhouse
Located on Mill Lane in Rainhill, Manor Farmhouse was listed in May 1958 and is said to have cellar dating back to the 14th century.
Its interior is said to have water-clock, powder cupboards, oil paintings on the stone lintels of the chimney-breasts and a cheese-press in the basement.
Scholes House
Scholes House on Scholes Lane in Eccleston was first listed in 1958 and has other listed ruins on its site.
This includes the Effigy Pedestal in garden of Scholes House, probably once a wayside shrine and ruins of an earlier friary adjoin the house.
Old Hall Farmhouse
Listed in 1952, Old Hall Farmhouse on Blundells Lane, Rainhill, dates back to the mid 14th century and is also known as Rainhill Hall Farmhouse.
Now derelict, significant parts of the building have collapsed or are roofless and at the point of further collapse.
