Irwell villa, on Irwell Lane in Runcorn Old Town is reported to have been built as offices and dwellings some time between 1845 and 1882, when prior to the construction of the Ship Canal, Irwell Lane was a busy hive of activity, as this had been the location of the 'Mersey & Irwell docks' forming the entrance to the Runcorn and Latchford Canal, part of the Mersey and Irwell Navigation. These docks and locks, at the bottom of Irwell Lane, 'disappeared' in the 1890's when the Manchester Ship Canal ploughed straight through them. Irwell villa was one of the last surviving elements of that era.