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Bolton Local Information: 10 top things to know... more

  • 1. History of Bolton

    Bolton's history goes back as far as 1067. Wool trading became big industry in the town in around 1337, and this was the beginning of the textile trading industry, which led to the cotton boom in the region. As a result, Bolton's industrial heritage is mainly built around cotton and numerous other supporting industries such as bleaching and machine building. Some of these machi...Read morenes can be seen in action at the Bolton Steam Museum. A man called Samuel Crompton invented a machine called the spinning mule in Bolton in 1779 and this transformed the cotton industry. One of these spinning mules can be seen at Bolton Museum Aquarium and Archive. Read less

  • 2. Now in Bolton

    Bolton Wanderers Football Club is a big part of the town's life today and is based at the Reebok Stadium. Bolton University is also a central part of the town and has students from all over the world. People of the town, which sits just 20 miles north of Manchester, describe it as a friendly place with a down-to-earth atmosphere.

  • 3. Events in Bolton

    The Ironman UK Triathlon takes place in Bolton in July, when 1,400 athletes arrive to take part in the challenge. The Bolton Food and Drink Festival is held in August and includes appearances from many celebrity chefs. The Bolton Beer Festival takes place in October and is a big event in the town involving drinks and live music.

  • 4. Attractions in Bolton

    Animal World, in Moss Bank Park, has a selection of animals including farm animals, chipmunks, wildfowl and exotic birds. Moss Bank Park also has a children's play area, model railway, children's rides and tennis courts. Barrow Bridge Village is a former industrial village and visitors can walk up the famous 63 steps that mill workers would have used to get to work. Today, they...Read more lead visitors onto the West Pennine Moors. Bolton Museum, Aquarium and Archive tells the story of Bolton and its people and includes displays of art, Egyptology, archaeology, botany and zoology. The aquarium has exotic fish, creatures and wildlife from all over the world, including flesh-eating piranhas. Bolton Steam Museum has 25 of the old stationary steam engines that once powered the cotton mills of Lancashire and Yorkshire. It has the largest collection of working steam mill engines in the UK. Firwood Fold is a hamlet of former farm workers' cottages. Some of the buildings date back to the 16th century and one of the buildings was the birthplace of Samuel Crompton, inventor of the spinning mule, which revolutionised the cotton industry. The home of Fred Dibnah, Bolton's famous steeplejack, is now open as a heritage centre. Visitors can explore the house and grounds. Hall i' th' Wood Museum is a 16th century Tudor wooden-framed house in which Samuel Crompton invented the spinning mule. Visitors can learn about his life and work and discover all about life in the Stuart and Tudor times. Shree Swaminarayan Sidhant Sajivan Mandal is an arts and cultural centre with a decorative ceiling that interprets the Hindu faith. Some say it is Bolton's very own Sistine Chapel. Read less

  • 5. Things To Do in Bolton

    The Blue Badge Guide Walks are guided walks on a variety of themes including Victorian Bolton and Bolton pubs. Bolton Arena has a spa, tennis and badminton courts, football pitches, floodlit games area, athletics track, indoor sports hall, bar and café. Tours can be booked of Bolton Wanderers' Reebok Stadium and include a visit to the players' dressing room, the manager's dugo...Read moreut and the media interview room. Jumbles Country Park is a parkland and reservoir and offers walks through a network of footpaths. The Tea Garden Café provides food, drink and exhibitions. Moses Gate Country Park is a place of national scientific interest due to its unique wildlife. Visitors can enjoy walking, cycling, horse riding and model aircraft flying, and there is a large play area for children. Read less

  • 6. Business in Bolton

    House of Raja's is an award-winning Asian superstore featuring saris from all over the Far East as well as Asian food and cooking utensils. The Last Drop Village is a collection of Georgian farm buildings that have been converted into craft shops, florist, hairdresser, antique, shops, jewellery shops, artist studio, village pub, tearoom and a spa resort and hotel. A local produ...Read morecers' market takes place on the fourth Sunday of every month in Victoria Square in the town centre. Bolton market has 300 stalls both inside and out. Stalls sell everything including food, household items, fashion and more. The main shopping centres in the town are Crompton Place Shopping Centre and Market Place Shopping Centre. Read less

  • 7. Transport in Bolton

    By car, the M60, M61 and M6 are all close to Bolton. The town also has a very busy rail station with good links to the rest of the region. Manchester Airport is the nearest airport to Bolton.

  • 8. Entertainment in Bolton

    The Albert Halls is a 670-seat theatre offering a varied programme of events and one of the region's most successful pantomimes. The Octagon Theatre offers a range of productions including classic and contemporary plays, new plays, musicals and a festive production for children. Soundhouse is the town's live music venue and Bolton Little Theatre is a small, award-winning theatr...Read moree showing anything from classics to comedy. The Victoria Hall is a concert venue and is used by internationally renowned choirs, bands and orchestras. Read less

  • 9. Famous Landmarks in Bolton

    Bolton Parish Church is a Victorian Gothic building built in 1871. Its tower is said to be the tallest in Lancashire. The church has a museum corner displaying local history items and other artefacts. Guided tours must be pre-booked.

  • 10. Interesting Facts about Bolton

    St Gregory's Social Club, in Bolton, is the real life setting for the Phoenix Club - home of Channel 4 comedy, Phoenix Nights which launched the careers of the town's comedians Peter Kay, Dave Spikey and Paddy McGuiness. The club welcomes visitors, and guided tours are available on request.

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