Crooke is a small village which lies about 2.5 miles north-west of Wigan town centre. It is located in a little piece of countryside between Wigan and Shevington. The River Douglas and the Leeds-Liverpool Canal which lie to the south add to its rural charm.

Crooke probably received its name from its location in a bend, or crook, of the river.

An interesting feature of the village is the previous existence of an underground canal. In the early part of the 19th century, 7ft boats carrying coal baskets were "legged" straight from an underground wharf to the main canal.

Sources of Information

"The Place Name of Lancashire" by David Mills, 1986 edition, first published in 1976 by B.T. Bats ford Ltd

"The Canals of North-west England" vol 1 by Charles Hadfield and Gordon Biddle, pub. David and Charles (1970)

"Industrial Railways of the Wigan Coalfield" part 2 By C.H.A. Townley, F.D. Smith and J.A. Peden. pub. Runpast publishing (1992)

Crooke Explains (1874)

Crooke Village website