Widnes

Widnes, a town in Cheshire on the northern bank of the River Mersey, built its identity around the chemical industry after industrialist John Hutchinson established a factory at Spike Island in 1847. The Catalyst Science Discovery Centre, housed in Hutchinson's former administrative building, is the UK's only museum dedicated solely to the chemical industry. The Mersey Gateway Bridge and the older Silver Jubilee Bridge both cross the river here, and Widnes Vikings rugby league club plays in the town.

• Population61,464
• Nearest water from center0.7 km
• Nearest mountain from center1.8 km
• UNESCO within 50 km2