Bury tourist information

Bury Museum and Art Gallery,  Moss Street, Bury, BL9 0DR

in a classical building and was opened in 1901 to house the Thomas Wrigley bequest.  Wrigley was a local paper manufacturer who died in 1890 and his collection of Victorian paintings was given to the town by his three children to celebrate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. The collection includes work by Constable, Turner and Lanseer. The Gallery has mosaic floors and stained glass windows. 20th Century works include paintings by Lowry, Burra, Pasmore and contemporary artists.  The museum reflects the social history of Bury, laid out as a street ( Paradise Street) with shops and room settings.  Temporary exhibitions.
Open: Tue-Sat: 10:00-17:00 Tel:  0161 253 5878

The Met,  Market Street, Bury, BL9 0BW

based in the Derby Hall, this live arts venue has three performance spaces.  A year round programme includes the best of touring theatre, music, dance and comedy. Tel: 0161 761 2216.

East Lancashire Light Railway,  Bolton Street Station, Bury, BL9 0E

runs steam (and occasionally diesel) rolling stock on 16 mile round trip through the Rossendale Valley. Opened in 1846 to link the Manchester to Bolton line with Radcliffe, apopular passenger and freight route, it continued to Rawtenstall along the Irwell Valley.  However the last passenger train ran on the section in 1972.  Since then the line has been preserved by the East Lancashire Preservation Society and the first section of the line reopened for passengers in 1987. 
Open: Sat, Sun and Bank Holidays and some weekdays in the summer months.. Regular special events, including visits from Thomas the Tank Engine, and weekend events for enthusiasts. Tel: 0161 764 7790 between 10:00-16:00 for timetables and details. 

Regimental Museum of the Lancashire Fusiliers, Wellington Barracks, Bolton Road, Bury BL8 2PL

charts the history of the regiment (the famous XX Foot) from 1688 to its merger in 1968 with other Fusilier Regiments to form the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. The regiment is associated with many famous Generals including James Wolfe of Quebec, Napoleon, Wellington, Kitchener, Montgomery and William Slim. Collection of medals, including VCs, uniforms, paintings, memorabilia and personal effects of the soldiers. Features the story of Minnie the Mule who served as the mascot of the Lancashire Fusiliers from 1944 to 1951.
Open: Mon-Sat 09:00-16:30   Closed Wed and Sun Tel:  0161 764 2208.

NOTE: Currently the Regimental Museum of the Lancashire Fusiliers is moving to new site in the centre of Bury - reopening 2007

Heaton Park,  Prestwich, Bury M25 5SW, off the A576

less than four miles north of the city centre, one of the largest municipal parks in Europe. The 640 acre (259 hectare) park forms 25% of Manchester's green space. In the foothills of the Pennines and ringed by the former mill towns of Rochdale, Oldham and Bury it was once part of the estate of the Earls of Wilton. Laid out around Heaton Hall in 1770-73, by William Emes, a pupil of Lancelot 'Capability' Brown. Heaton Hall, remodelled by James Wyatt in the 1770s, is a Georgian period House.  From 1827 the park was home to the Heaton Park Race Course before races were transferred to Aintree in 1839. Outdoor events held. Gardens, woodland, 10 acre boating lake, Pets Corner, Farm Centre and a 18 hole golf course (no membership required), refreshments.  In the summer trips on a single-decker tram or vintage double-decker bus from the Heaton Park Tramway Museum.
Tel: 0161 773 1085

Burrs Country Park, Woodhill Road, Bury

one mile north of Bury, this country park has been created on the site of two historic cotton mills: Burrs Mill and Higher Woodhill Mill.  With natural and man-made water courses the park is a great place for watersports.  Facilities include a training pool and slalom courses on the river for canoeists. Other outdoor sports such as abseiling and climbing.  Countryside and riverside walks and a orienteering trail. Open: all year Tel: 0161 253 5111

Prestwich Forest Park, Park Lane, Prestwich, Bury

large areas of woodland and rich in wildlife. This 200 hectare park embraces Philips Park to the north and Drinkwater Park to the south. Philips Park was the home of an important Manchester family of the Victorian period.  he landscaped park around their house was created from part of the medieval deer park of Pilkington  Drinkwater Park was owned by the Drinkwater family. Irwell House, their 1790 Georgian mansio, was demolished during a Civil Defence exercise in 1958. The park has pathways for walking, horseriding, jogging and cycling. Footpaths include a walk along the River Irwell from Whitefield to Drinkwater. Open: daily Tel: 0161 796 6404

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