Hotspots: St Helens - the heart of the North West!

Picture credit: Steve Samosa Photography

We decided to explore the town of St Helens to find out more about the "heart of the North West" (and where to find the best storage in town!).

Where it all began

The area we now know as St Helens dates back as far as the 1st-century. Back then, the Romans took over a Celtic tribe which had settled there during their 1st-century conquest.

The nearby towns we now know as Sutton, Windle and Parr later appeared in the Domesday Book in the 11th-century.

However, St Helens only became a town in the middle of the 19th-century, due to rapid population growth in the area during the Industrial Revolution. The town was known for its glass making, coal mining and cotton trade, particularly the manufacturing of sails.

Where to eat

The Golden Horses was named the UK's best Chinese restaurant by Trip Advisors users in 2014. Go and see what all the fuss is about!

Just Wings takeaway apparently serves up the best chicken wings in Merseyside, while Brothers Burgers in Thatto Heath offers "dirty burgers" to rival leading chain restaurants.

The Kitchen cafe is the town's number 1 rated eaterie on Trip Advisor, with an overall 5-star rating from 154 reviews.

What to see

If you're interested in finding out more about the town's famous glass making credentials, check out St Helens World of Glass Museum.

St Helens Festival takes places every summer in Sherdley Park, which also has its own petting zoo.

Dream is one of St Helens' most famous landmarks. Unveiled in 2009, the sculpture by Jaume Plensa of a young girl's head in gleaming white - signifying the future of St Helens - takes pride of place on a former coal mine. In fact, 15 former miners were among local residents invited to join the consultation and commission process for the sculpture.

Who to support

The Saints, of course! Rugby has a huge following in the town, and St Helens RLFC is the team to watch.

Our St Helens storage centre is located close to the Totally Wicked Stadium, where the Saints play, so be sure to come and say hello next time you're going to the game!

Fun facts

Did you know Johnny Vegas hails from St Helens? He was born Michael Pennington in Thatto Heath in 1970.

Comedy folk band the Lancashire Hotpots also come from the town, which was historically part of Lancashire.

Where to store your stuff

Store First has been bringing the best storage solutions to the people of St Helens since August 2016. We're located on Roundwood Drive and facilities include a weatherproof undercover loading bay, free wifi and boardrooms for hire. Of course, we offer a free pickup service for all our St Helens self-storage customers who store with us for eight weeks or more.

We offer customers self-storage in a range of sizes with flexible leases and long-term discounts. Our all-inclusive price includes £15,000 contents protection and a high-security padlock. As with all Store First centres, there’s no VAT or deposit to pay, and no notice period required to vacate.

Right now, St Helens storage customers can enjoy 50% off the price of storage for their first 12 weeks! To find out more, call 01744 747 777.