Mosley Common, Astley Green, Shakerley, New Hall Farm Estate and Gin Pit Village
Some ten miles southeast of Wigan, Tyldesley grew to prominence, like many of its neighbours, through coal and cotton. Today, land reclamation and new housing developments have changed the face of its outlying areas, but the centre still retains the atmosphere of a bustling market town. The refurbished market square is part of a conservation area, while the steep terraces branching off the main streets lend the town a distinctive character. Astley Street Park is a much-loved local ‘oasis’ in the town.
The most south-easterly of the borough’s communities, Astley straddles the East Lancashire Road close to the border with Salford. Like most of the area it was largely rural until the 19th century, when the first cotton mill was built in 1833, followed closely by the Astley and Tyldesley Coal Company’s collieries in 1848.
