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 Bolton
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Bolton,
15 miles north-west of
Manchester, is one of the UK's largest towns.
Famous as a cotton producing
town, Bolton has had a long and interesting history. It
originated as a small settlement in the Lancashire moors known
as 'Bolton-le-Moors'.
During the Civil War the town
was a Parliamentarian outpost in a staunchly Royalist area.
In 1644 Bolton was stormed by 3,000 local Royalist troops
lead by Colonel Rigby. This attack, which later came
to be known as the 'Bolton Massacre', resulted in 1,500 residents
being killed and 700 taken prisoner.
The first woollen 'cottage industry'
was established here in the early 14th century when Flemish
weavers settled in the town, bringing with them their weaving
and clog-making skills. By the 1640s cotton was being
produced here on hand looms.
In 1779 one of the town's residents,
Samuel Crompton, invented the 'Spinning Mule' which produced
a finer and much stronger cotton yarn. This invention
helped to achieve a fully mechanised spinning process and
revolutionised the cotton industry. The first spinning
mill was built in Bolton in 1780 and within a decade cotton
production had increased five-fold in the town.
Bolton boomed in the 19th century
and at its peak in 1929 the town boasted 216 cotton mills
and 26 bleaching and dying works. However, after World
War I the British cotton industry declined sharply and by
the 1980s cotton manufacture had virtually ceased in Bolton.
Today Bolton is noted for its
excellent shops and nightlife. Top class football can
be enjoyed at the Reebok Stadium, home of Bolton Wanders FC.
In the town is some stunning
architecture including one of the finest town halls in Britain.
This classical building, with a spectacular central clock
tower, was was opened in 1873 by the Prince of Wales (later
Edward VII).
Other places of interest in the
town include the Bolton Museum and Art Gallery, the Hall I'
Th' Wood Museum (where Samuel Crompton invented the Spinning
Mule) and Smithshill Hall.
Famous "sons" of Bolton
include Fred Dibnah (1938 - 2004) the steeplejack and television
celebrity and the comedian Peter Kay.
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Map of Bolton |
What
To See -
Bolton Tourist Attractions
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 Bolton
Museum, Art Gallery and Aquarium Le Mans Crescent, Bolton
BL1 1SE |
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well know for its magnificent Egyptology
Gallery with a 3,000 year old mummy and stone columms from
the ancient city of Heracleopolis. Collection of 18th,
19th and 20th century watercolours and contemporary work. An
important part of the collection is the Mass Observation archive,
with over 900 photographs taken by photo-journalist Humphrey
Spender in 1937. Basement aquarium with a wide range of
tropical fish. The aquarium also runs a breeding programme
for endangered species. Programme of temporary exhibitons.
Open: Mon - Sat, 10:00-17:00. Closed Sun and Bank
Holidays. Tel: 01204 332211
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Bolton
Town Hall,
Victoria Square, Bolton, |
with a six-column
Corinthian portico and impressive clock tower, the Victorian
Town Hall dominates the centre of Bolton. The Classical building,
made of Yorkshire stone, was opened in 1873 by the Prince of
Wales (later Edward VII). In 1981 the Town Hall was ravaged
by fire, rebuilding work created two new venues: the new Albert
Hall and and the Festival Hall.
Open: all year.Tel: 01204 333 333 |
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Albert
Halls,
Victoria Square, Bolton, BL1 1RU |
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in the
Victorian grandeur of Bolton Town Hall. In 1981 a fire gutted
the original single concert hall and it was converted into two
separate venues. The busy programme includes pantomimes, comedy,
amateur dramatics and jazz, rock and classical music concerts.
Tel: 01204 334 400 |
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Bolton
Octagon,
Howell Croft South, Bolton ,BL1 1SB |
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stages home
produced shows, along with the best of the UK's touring companies. There
is a second stage for more experimental works. Tel: Enquiries
and Box Office 01204 520 661. |
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Bolton
Steam Museum , Mornington Road, Bolton, BL1 4EU ( via
Morrison's Supermarket car park, next to petrol station on Old
Chorely Road) |
in an original cotton store on
the old Atlas Mills site, this museum contains a collection
of restored textile mill steam engines. These impressive machines
were in use from the 1800s to the 1960s. The entirely voluntary
Northern Mill Engine Society has rebuilt around 25 machines.
Several of the engines can be seen in motion, powered presently
by electricity.
Open: Not open to the public on a regular basis but there
are open days each year, and visitors are welcome, by prior
arrangement, on their working days (Wed and Sun). Tel: 01257
265003 for more details.
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Animal
World and Butterfly House, Moss
Bank Park, Bolton, BL1 6NQ |
a living
environment for a variety of ainmals and birds, from farmyard
animals to wildfowl and tropical birds. Butterfly House,,insects,
spiders, reptiles and tropical plants. In Moss Bank Park is
a miniature steam railway (summer weekends), rock garden, old
English garden, s play area and sports facilities.
Open: Apr- Sept: daily 10:00-16:30; Oct-Mar: Mon-Thur,
Sat,. and Sun: 10:00-15:30, Fri :10:00-14:30 Tel: 01204
334 050 |
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Smithills
Hall & Gardens,
Smithills Dean Road, Bolton, BL1 7NP |
dating back
to the 14th century, this timber-framed building is Bolton's
oldest manor house. Altered by generations of owners from the
14th to the 19th century it was purchased by Bolton Corporation
in 1937, restored, and opened to the public in 1963. Renovation
in 1999 restored the Great Hall, supported by oak beams. Library,
with panelling, chapel, with heraldic stained glass. The stables
now house the Coaching House Restaurant.
Open: Apr-Sept:, Tue-Sat 11:00-17:00, Sunday 14:00-17:00
Oct-Mar: Tue-Sat 13:00-17:00, Sun 14:00-17:00 Closed Mon (except
Bank Holidays). Last admission 16.15 Tel: 01204 332377
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Hall
I' Th' Wood Museum,
Green way, off Crompton Way, Bolton, BL1 8UA
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a half
timber-frame and half stone manor house, in grounds, in Bolton's
northern suburbs. Dating from 1483 it was once the home of
Samuel Crompton , who created the Spinning Mule that revolutionised
the cotton industry.Saved by Lord Leverhulme, a Bolton man,
who made his fortune in soap manufacture and founded Port
Sunlight in Berkinhead, it was presented to the Borough of
Bolton and restored. The museum has ten rooms, furnished with
items from the 18th century, including the Dairy with a display
of old household and kichen implements. In the Crompton Room
Samuel Crompton designed his Spinning Mule. Displays and personal
items illustrating Samuel Crompton's life, 16th and 17th century
furnishings. Visitors can dress up in period clothing..
Open: end of March - last Sunday in Sept; Wed-Sun 11:00-17:00
(last entry 16:15 pm). Winter; Sat-Sun: 11:00-17:00 Tel: 01204
301159.
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Horwich
Heritage Centre, Resource
Centre, Longworth Road, Horwich, Bolton BL6 7BG
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Horwich Heritage was formed in
1984 to restore a sense of local pride following the closure
of the Horwich Locomotive Works the previous year. The Centre
aims to preserve the rich history and heritage of the town
and uses videos, displays, artifacts and exhibits are used
to illustrate specific aspects of life in Horwich over the
past 100 years.
Open: Wed 14:.00- 16:.00, Sat 10:00-12:00 and every
2nd Tues in the month 19:30-21:00 Tel: 01204 847 797
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Jumbles
Country Park, Bradshaw
Road, Bradshaw, Bolton, BL2 6EJ, three miles north of Bolton
off the A676, )
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is located within the Bradshaw
Valle. On the fringes of the Western Pennine Moors, the 250
acre country park opened in 1971 following the creation of
the Jumbles Reservoir. The lake is perfect for fishing and
sailing and there are nature trails and hides for bird-watching. Information
Centre with exhibition illustrating the history of the area
and a display on the creation of the reservoir and the water
business. Nearby is the moorland village of Edgworth. Open:
daily Tel: 01204 853360.
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Moses
Gate Country Park,
Rock Hall Visitor Centre, Hall Lane, Farnworth, Bolton ,BL4
3DN,
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750 acre
country park is in the Croal Irwell Valley, three miles from
Bolton centre. The 11 mile Croal Irwell Valley walk passes
through the park and the area beside the River Croal is ideal
habitat of kingfishers. Activitiesinclude horseriding, walking,
cycling, orienteering and bird-watching from hides. Permits
for angling, canoeing, boating, model boating and model aircraft
flying.
Open: Sun-Tue 09:00-16:30; Wed-Sat: 13:00- 16:30 Tel: 01204
334343
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Croal
Irwell Valley,
Rock Hall, Moses Gate, Hall Lane, Farnworth, Bolton
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the
valley stretches for 16 miles and passes through Salford,
Bury and Bolton. Woodlands and adundant wildlife. The walk
takes in Moses Gate Country Park, Clifton Country Park and
Cheetham Woods. Visitor Centre is located at Rock Hall. Tel:
01204 571561
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Smithills
Country Park, Smithills
Dean Road, Bolton, BL1 7NP
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2000
acre country park, with woodland, farmland and moorland, on
the edge of the West Pennine Moors. Panoramic views over Bolton
and the area. Self-guided tours around the park, which is
also home to the 14th century Smithills Hall and the Smithills
Coaching House Restaurant. Open: all year Tel: 01204
334010
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Where
To Stay in Bolton
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1 Higher Bridge Street Bolton BL1 2EW
MAP
Located in the heart of Bolton close to many places of interest, and close to the main motorway links. All bedrooms are air-conditioned. Club Moativation includes an indoor heated swimming pool.
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Hospital Road Bromley Cross Bolton BL7 9PZ
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On the edge of the Pennine Moors, The Last Drop Village is an ideal location for a relaxing break. Restored 18th century farmhouse buildings with Four Star Hotel,Indoor Pool, Thermal Suite, Restaurant, Cocktail Bar, Pub & Steakhouse.
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Reebok Stadium De Havilland Way, Horwich Bolton BL6 6JW
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4 Star hotel intergrated into a football stadium. 125 tastefully designed bedrooms onsite some offering pitch views. 500 meters from Junction 6 M61. Leisure facilities onsite, bar and restaurant, meeting rooms, room service.
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Guest
Houses Bed & Breakfasts Inns and Other Hotels
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168 Church Street Little Lever near Bolton BL3 1BW
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Located in the village of Little Lever, the Jolly Carter is a 5-minute walk from Moses Gate Country Park and just 10 minutes’ drive from the M61 motorway. Free parking is possible on site and Bolton city centre is just 2 miles away.
More Information...
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307 Blackburn Road Bolton BL1 8DY
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Tramways Hotel is situated 5 minutes’ drive from Bolton city centre and features free private parking. The Reebok Stadium is only a 15-minute drive from the hotel.
More Information...
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42 Bradford Street Bolton BL2 1JJ
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Located just off the A666, Glendale Guest House is one mile from Bolton Town Centre. It has 18 spacious rooms and two 2-bedroom apartments. The rooms at Glendale Guest House all have TVs and tea and coffee-making facilities.
More Information...
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Days Out in and around Bolton
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Towns near Bolton To Visit - straight line distance:
Bury Tourist Information (5.53 miles) Wigan Tourist Information (8.46 miles) Salford Tourist Information (8.55 miles) Trafford Park Tourist Information (9.58 miles) |
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