It is to the east of the town of St Helen's and the north of Warrington.
The old centre of Newton is on the A49 road and has a number of Georgian buildings, and is an attractive residential area. The suburb of Earlestown grew up during the 19th century based on engineering and coal mining. The Vulcan locomotive works were the major employer.
The St Helen's Canal (the oldest canal in England) and the Liverpool and Manchester Railway (the oldest inter-city railway in England) both pass through Earlestown and the railway crosses the canal at Sankey Viaduct - locally known as the Nine Arches.
Newton and Earlestown both have railway stations; Earlestown's is a triangular junction with platforms on all 3 sides.
Parkside is the scene of the fatal accident at the opening of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway when the MP Huskisson was killed. It is also the site of a modern coal mine opened in 1962 - but closed only 30 years later and now demolished.