Bolton Travel Guide

Trek Zone

Town

Facts and practical information

Nestled in the heart of England's picturesque countryside, Bolton is a hidden gem that offers a perfect blend of history, natural beauty, and modern amenities. Located in the Greater Manchester region, this charming town is just a short drive away from major cities like Manchester and Liverpool, making it an ideal destination for a day trip or a relaxing weekend getaway.

Bolton is renowned for its rich industrial heritage, which is evident in its architectural marvels. One of the town's most iconic landmarks is the Bolton Town Hall, a magnificent Victorian structure that showcases exquisite craftsmanship and intricate details. Visitors can explore the building's grand interiors, admire the stained glass windows, and learn about its fascinating history.

For nature enthusiasts, Bolton has plenty to offer. The town is home to several beautiful parks and gardens, providing a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Leverhulme Park is a favorite among locals and visitors alike, with its sprawling green spaces, scenic walking trails, and serene lake. It's the perfect spot for a leisurely picnic or a refreshing morning jog.

History buffs will find themselves in paradise in Bolton. The town is dotted with historic sites and museums that offer a glimpse into its past. The Bolton Museum and Art Gallery houses an impressive collection of artifacts, including archaeological finds and artworks, providing a comprehensive overview of the town's rich heritage. Meanwhile, Smithills Hall, a stunning medieval manor house, offers guided tours that allow visitors to step back in time and experience life in the Middle Ages.

Food lovers will be delighted by the diverse culinary scene in Bolton. The town boasts a wide array of restaurants, cafés, and pubs, serving everything from traditional British fare to international cuisines. Visitors can indulge in hearty pub classics, savor mouthwatering Indian curries, or sample gourmet dishes crafted by award-winning chefs.

Alternative names: Population: 285.4 thous.Area: 21.34 mi²Elevation: 331 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 53°34'47"N, 2°25'38"W

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EnglandUnited Kingdom

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Bolton Top Attractions

Bolton Attractions - What to See and Explore

Bolton offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Moses Gate Country Park, Dean Mills Reservoir, Smithills Hall, Turton Tower. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Park
Moses Gate Country Park
Moses Gate Country Park, part of which is also known as Crompton Lodges, is a 750 acre site situated at Moses Gate in the Croal and Irwell Valleys 3 miles south of Bolton town centre on the A6053 road which connects Farnworth to Little Lever.
Lake
Dean Mills Reservoir
Dean Mills Reservoir is a small water reservoir to the north of the town of Bolton, Greater Manchester located high on the slopes of Winter Hill. The reservoir was constructed above the village of Barrow Bridge by John and Robert Lord. “The Lord Brothers opened a mill there in the late 18th Century using Crompton's spinning mules.
Museum • History museum
Smithills Hall
Smithills Hall is a Grade I listed manor house, and a scheduled monument in Smithills, Bolton, Greater Manchester, England. It stands on the slopes of the West Pennine Moors above Bolton at a height of 500 feet, three miles north west of the town centre.

Tower • Historical place
Turton Tower
Turton Tower is a manor house in Chapeltown in North Turton, Borough of Blackburn with Darwen, Lancashire, England. It is a scheduled ancient monument and a grade I listed building.
Park
Queen's Park
Queen's Park is a roughly circular 22 acres Victorian park lying on sloping ground to the north-west of Bolton town centre, in Greater Manchester, England. Opened as Bolton Park on 24 May 1866 by Lord Bradford it was renamed in 1897 in honour of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee.
Lake
Dingle Reservoir
Dingle Reservoir is an artificial, low alkalinity, shallow reservoir near to the town of Egerton, Greater Manchester. The reservoir itself is a little under 400 metres from the border between Lancashire and Greater Manchester, being found on the Lancashire side.
City hall
Farnworth Town Hall
Farnworth Town Hall is a municipal building in Market Street, Farnworth, Greater Manchester, England. The town hall, which was the headquarters of Farnworth Borough Council, is a grade II listed building.
Museum • History museum
Hall i' th' Wood
Hall i' th' Wood is an early 16th-century manor house in Bolton in the historic county of Lancashire and the ceremonial county of Greater Manchester, England. It is a Grade I listed building and is currently used as a museum by Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council.
Gothic Revival architecture • Church
St Patrick's Church
St Patrick's Church is a Roman Catholic Church in Bolton, Greater Manchester, England. It was built in 1861 and is a Gothic Revival style building. It is situated on the corner of Great Moor Street and Johnson Street, to the west of Bradshawgate in the centre of the town. It is a Grade II listed building.
Gothic Revival architecture • Church
St Stephen and All Martyrs' Church
St Stephen and All Martyrs' Church, Lever Bridge, is in Darcy Lever, Bolton, Greater Manchester, England. It is an active Anglican parish church in the deanery of Walmsley, the archdeaconry of Bolton, and the diocese of Manchester.
Gothic Revival architecture • Church
Bolton Parish Church
St Peter's Church, Bolton-le-Moors, commonly known as Bolton Parish Church, is a Church of England parish church in Bolton, Greater Manchester, England. The parish church, dedicated to St Peter, is an example of the Gothic Revival style.
Museum • Specialty museum
Bolton Steam Museum
Bolton Steam Museum is a museum in Bolton, Greater Manchester, England, which houses a variety of preserved steam engines. Based in the cotton store of the former Atlas Mill in Mornington Road, it is owned and run by the Northern Mill Engine Society.
Concerts and shows • Theater
Octagon Theatre
The Octagon Theatre is a producing theatre located in Bolton, Greater Manchester, England.
City hall
Bolton Town Hall
Bolton Town Hall in Victoria Square, Bolton, Greater Manchester, England, was built between 1866 and 1873 for the County Borough of Bolton to designs by William Hill of Leeds and George Woodhouse of Bolton.
City hall
Westhoughton Town Hall
Westhoughton Mill or Rowe and Dunscough's Mill, in Mill Street in Westhoughton, near Bolton in the historic county of Lancashire, was the site of a Luddite arson attack in 1812.
Church • Gothic architecture
St Mary the Virgin's Church
The Church of St Mary the Virgin, Deane, is an Anglican parish church in Deane, Bolton, Greater Manchester, England. It is a member of Deane deanery in the archdeaconry of Bolton, diocese of Manchester. It is a Grade II* listed building.
Gothic Revival architecture • Church
St Matthew's Church
St Matthew's Church is in the town of Little Lever, Bolton, Greater Manchester, England. It is an active Anglican parish church in the deanery of Bolton, the archdeaconry of Bolton, and the diocese of Manchester. St Matthew's is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade II listed building.
Temple
Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
Shree Kutch Satsang Swaminarayan Temple is a three storied Swaminarayan Temple on Adelaide Street in Bolton, Greater Manchester, England. It is the first Swaminarayan temple to be established in the UK and Europe, officially opening in 1973.
Gothic Revival architecture • Church
St John the Evangelist's Church
St John the Evangelist's Church is in Church Street, Farnworth, Greater Manchester, England. It is an active Anglican parish church in the deanery of Bolton, the archdeaconry of Bolton, and the diocese of Manchester. Its benefice is united with those of St Peter, Farnworth, Holy Trinity, Prestolee, and St Saviour, Ringley.

Things to See and Do in Bolton by Category

Sights, interesting and unusual places and attractions valued by most tourists. See the list of places to visit in Bolton.

Culture

Octagon Theatre
Bolton
Concerts and showsTheater
Farnworth Little Theatre
Bolton
Concerts and showsTheater
Shree Swaminarayan Mandir - Bolton
Bolton
Art gallerySacred and religious sitesMuseum

Park

Moses Gate Country Park
Bolton
Park
Queen's Park
Bolton
Park
Leverhulme Park
Bolton
Park
Moss Bank Park
Bolton
Park
Seven Acres Country Park
Bolton
Park

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Museum

Smithills Hall
Bolton
MuseumHistory museum
Hall i' th' Wood
Bolton
MuseumHistory museum
Bolton Steam Museum
Bolton
MuseumSpecialty museum
Bolton Museum
Bolton
Museum
Shree Swaminarayan Mandir - Bolton
Bolton
Art gallerySacred and religious sitesMuseum

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City hall

Farnworth Town Hall
Bolton
City hall
Bolton Town Hall
Bolton
City hall
Westhoughton Town Hall
Bolton
City hall
Little Bolton Town Hall
Bolton
City hall

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Other categories

Church Neighbourhood

Day trips

Bolton – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Bolton, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Oldham Street (Manchester), Museum of Science and Industry (Manchester), Manchester Art Gallery (Manchester).

10 milesSE
Street, Shopping, Shopping district
Oldham Street, Manchester
Nestled in the heart of Manchester's vibrant Northern Quarter, Oldham Street is a hub of eclectic charm and independent spirit, offering a shopping experience that stands in delightful contrast to the city's more mainstream retail destinations.
10 miSE
History in an 1830 railway station
Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester
The Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester is a beacon of innovation and history, located in the heart of the city's historic Castlefield district. Housed in the former Liverpool Road railway station, the world's oldest surviving terminal railway station, the...
10 milesSE
Prominent paintings and decorative arts
Manchester Art Gallery, Manchester
The Manchester Art Gallery, nestled in the heart of Manchester, United Kingdom, stands as a testament to the city’s rich cultural heritage. This esteemed museum, known for its impressive collection of fine art, craft, and design, is a beacon for art lovers...
9.2 miSE
Museum of conflict in symbolic building
Imperial War Museum North, Manchester
The Imperial War Museum North, situated in Manchester, United Kingdom, is a poignant testament to the impact of conflict on people's lives. This striking museum, opened in July 2002, was designed by the world-renowned architect Daniel Libeskind.
10 milesSE
Street, Shopping, Shopping district
Corporation Street, Manchester
Corporation Street in Manchester, United Kingdom, is a vibrant artery at the heart of the city's shopping district. Renowned for its wide array of retail establishments, this bustling thoroughfare offers a unique mix of historical charm and modern consumer culture.