The land on which Three Sisters Circuit sits was formerly occupied by Garswood Hall Colliery, which began coal extraction operations in 1867. For nearly a century the colliery operated continuously, eventually leaving behind three massive spoil heaps composed of mining waste, each rising over 150 feet (46 m) above the surrounding landscape. These structures became dominant local landmarks and were affectionately nicknamed the "Wigan Alps" by residents, though they were also regarded as environmental blights on the post-industrial terrain.
Following the colliery's closure in 1958, the site lay dormant for two decades. In the late 1970s, local authorities launched a land reclamation project to convert the area into a nature reserve. The motorsport circuit was established as part of this broader ecological initiative, opening in November 1978.
Three Sisters originally operated as a karting circuit, with its compact layout suited to single-seater kart racing. During the 1990s an extension was added, creating the Full circuit configuration. The venue now offers several distinct layouts: the Full circuit, the Perimeter circuit, and the Long circuit, giving organisers flexibility to tailor the track to different classes and event formats.
Three Sisters caters primarily to club-level motorsport, hosting four-wheeled and two-wheeled racing series. Between 2019 and 2022 the circuit was a regular venue for the British Scooter Sport Series, among other series. More recently it featured on the calendar of the Freetech Endurance Series, which targets amateur motorcycle teams. Track days and karting events are also a regular part of the venue's programme.
Several prominent racing drivers made early appearances at Three Sisters before reaching the highest levels of the sport. Neil Hodgson, who would go on to compete at World Superbike Championship level, won his first race at the circuit in 1990.
In the 2006 McLaren Mercedes Champions of the Future karting series, Three Sisters hosted rounds that featured future Formula One stars. Lewis Hamilton, who would become a seven-time Formula One world champion, claimed victory in the Cadet class that season. Gary Paffett won the Intercontinental class, while Andrew Delahunty took the Yamaha class title. Current Formula One drivers Lando Norris and George Russell also raced at Three Sisters during their karting years, making the venue a notable breeding ground for top-level single-seater talent.
On 17 September 1989, British motorcycle racer Howard Christian Halsall was killed in a crash at the circuit, marking a tragic moment in the venue's history.
Three Sisters occupies an unusual position in British motorsport geography: a circuit born from industrial reclamation rather than purpose-built construction. Its origins as remediated colliery land, combined with a history of nurturing drivers who reached Formula One, give it a significance that extends beyond its modest club-racing profile. The site continues to serve the grassroots end of British motorsport, providing a home for club series, track days, and karting while the nature reserve surrounding it stands as a reminder of the site's industrial past.