Warrington is a town in the north west of England, historically part of Lancashire but, since 1974, within the ceremonial county of Cheshire. It stands on the banks of the River Mersey, east of Liverpool, and west of Manchester. The population in 2011 was 202,228; its population has more than doubled since its designation as a New Town in 1968. The population of the 'built up area' of the town stands at 165,456, ranking 46th out of all urban areas in the UK.