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Bolton Tourist Information


The historic mill town of Bolton is on the edge of the West Pennine Moors, 10 miles northwest of Manchester.

The first settlement began as Bolton le Moors. It was first recorded as Boelton in 1185. The surrounding moors have been inhabited for thousands of years as can be seen by the stone circle and Bronze Age burial mounds in the area.

The town received its charter from Henry III in 1251. It became a borough under William de Ferrers, the Earl of Derby, and the streets of Churchgate and Deansgate were laid out. The old black and white pub, Ye Olde Man and Scythe dates back to this period.

During the 14th century Flemish weavers settled in the area and began a wool and cotton weaving industry. During the Industrial Revolution, Bolton was at the heart of textile manufacturing with 216 mills and 26 bleach and dye works. It was one of the most industrious cotton spinning areas in the world. The ample streams from the moors and local coal mines were an added asset.

The Manchester Bolton and Bury Canal gave transport links to Manchester in 1791 and the Bolton and Leigh Railway opened in 1828, now the oldest railway in Lancashire.

During the English Civil War Bolton was staunchly Parliamentarian. It was attacked by 3,000 Royalists under Prince Rupert, 1600 residents were killed and 700 more taken prisoner. The 1644 event became known as the Bolton Massacre.

During World War I Bolton was badly bombed by Zeppelins. After the war the demand for cotton began to slump. By 1980 almost all the mills had closed.


Present Day Bolton

Bolton has a population of just under 140,000 people with many more in the adjoining towns and villages. It has a large Asian community.

The town has shopping centres, markets, pubs and restaurants with good leisure facilities. It has seen a great deal of investment as part of a regeneration scheme and an arena is under construction for the 2012 Olympics.

The magnificent Town Hall is a Grade II listed building designed by William Hill in 1873. Altogether the town has 700 listed buildings including Le Mans Crescent, pubs, the market place and Holy Trinity Church.

Much older buildings include the 14th century Smithills Hall with its 16th century chapel. It now houses a local museum. It is said that in 1555 George Marsh was tried in the hall for heresy. He stamped his foot so hard that a footprint was left in the stone!


Things to Do Around Bolton

Hall i'th' Wood is a medieval yeoman farmhouse, home to inventor Samuel Crompton, a pioneer in the spinning industry. The house was later restored by William Hesketh Lever and donated to the Council. It is now a popular local attraction.

Bolton Wanderers F.C. is in the English Football League and can be seen in action at the Reebok Stadium.

Visit Ye Old Man and Scythe pub, circa 1251, and sit in the chair used by the 7th Earl of Derby before he was beheaded in 1651. Order a pint of the local specialty - Cloudy Cider.

The Fred Dibnah Heritage Centre is a local museum celebrating the life of this local steeplejack.

Bolton has several cultural centres including the Octagon Theatre and the Bolton Museum, Aquarium and Archive.

 

Directions
Show map of Bolton...


Attractions near Bolton
Bolton Museum, Aquarium and Archive (< 1 Mile)*
Bolton Museum has many collections of exhibits from fine art to Egyptian archaeology. There is an aquarium where you can see snakes and a piranha fish which is 23 years old.
Smithills Hall and Estate (2 Miles)*
Visitors to Smithills Hall can enjoy history in the surroundings of a building that stretches from the 14th century to the glorious period of the Arts and Craft revolution of the late 19th century.
Heaton Hall (8 Miles)*
A magnificent neo-classical country house with beautifully restored 18th century interiors, set in 650 acres of rolling parkland.
more attractions in Bolton and things to do in Bolton ...
* Distances shown are in a direct line. Distances by road will be longer.

What's near Bolton

Attractions:
  Bolton Museum, Aquarium and Archive  <1 Mile
  Smithills Hall and Estate  2 Miles
  Heaton Hall  8 Miles
more attractions in Bolton...
 
Towns:
  Darcy Lever  2 Miles
  Bromley Cross  2 Miles
  Bradshaw  2 Miles
more towns near Bolton...
 
Estate Agents:
  Specialist Lettings & Management  <1 Mile
  Cardwells Estate Agents  <1 Mile
  Your Move  <1 Mile
Hotels:
  Holiday Inn Bolton City Centre  <1 Mile
  Highgrove Guest House  1 Mile
  Britannia Bolton  2 Miles
more hotels in Bolton area...
 
Bed and Breakfast:
  Loe Lodge  5 Miles
more bed and breakfasts near Bolton...
 
Self Catering:
  Ingleside House  3 Miles
  Orchard Lodge  7 Miles
  Orchard Cottage  9 Miles
more self catering near Bolton...
 
Campsites:
  Dale Hey Farm  16 Miles
  Common Barn Farm  25 Miles
  Acorns Caravan Park  26 Miles
TIC: Bolton Tourist Information Centre     Tel: 01204 334321  <1 Mile



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Towns near Bolton
Darcy Lever Tourist Information (2 Miles)*
Bromley Cross Tourist Information (2 Miles)*
Bradshaw Tourist Information (2 Miles)*
more towns near Bolton...
* Distances shown are in a direct line. Distances by road will be longer.

Hotels near Bolton
Holiday Inn Bolton City Centre (< 1 Mile)*
The Holiday Inn Bolton City Centre is the perfect hotel for visiting the many great attractions of the North West, such as Camelot Theme Park, the Trafford Shopping Centre, Wigan Pier and Botany Bay.
Highgrove Guest House (1 Mile)*
Whether your stay is brief or extended, you will instantly feel welcomed and at home. Our Ten bedroomed guesthouse has a great service and our own high standards to ensure your stay is an enjoyable one. All rooms are bright and well furnished.
Britannia Bolton (2 Miles)*
3* Britannia Bolton Hotel is situated close to the M61 Motorway with views over the Rivington Pike. All 96 bedrooms are en-suite with a contemporary feel with facilities including trouser press, TV, hairdryer, telephone, tea and coffee making facilities
more Bolton hotels (and nearby)...
* Distances shown are in a direct line. Distances by road will be longer.

Self Catering near Bolton
Orchard Cottage (10 Miles)*
Orchard Cottage is an ideally situated, modern and well equipped home conveniently close to the cities of Manchester and Liverpool on the borders of Lancashire and Cheshire.
The Shippon (14 Miles)*
Broomedge Farm holiday cottages are luxurious and well-appointed holiday rental cottages. Located on a quiet farm near Lymm in the Cheshire countryside, between Manchester and Liverpool.
Your property could be here
Advertising your self catering property or holiday cottage on AboutBritain.com will get you noticed by thousands of potential guests every day.
more self catering near Bolton ...
* Distances shown are in a direct line. Distances by road will be longer.

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