Pictures of Bolton

About Bolton

The clogs and black smoke image of Bolton has long since gone, in its place is a fine city with beautiful buildings and a diverse range of attractions sufficient to satisfy the most demanding tourist.

It was the growth of the cotton industry that first brought prosperity to Bolton, Samuel Crompton inventor of the spinning mule was born here and his original invention can be seen in the Tonge Moor Textile Museum. On show also is Hargreaves spinning jenny and Richard Arkwrights water frame, thus the museum fully celebrates the town's industrial heritage.

Ye Old Man and Scythe Inn is one of the town's oldest buildings, this dates back to 1251 the year Bolton was granted its first market charter. Historically, this is the place the 7th Earl of Derby spent his final hours before being executed in Bolton by Cromwell during the English Civil War. The chair he used is on display at the inn, it bears an inscription together with the date 15th October 1651. The inn has a rich original interior, but this dates mostly from rebuilding of 1636 with only the vaulted cellar remaining from the middle of the 13th century.

The magnificent pinnacles of the Church of the Holy Trinity soar above the town, these are in sharp contrast the modern railway bridge looming over the roof-tops to the rear of the church. Another impressive sight is the beautiful Le Mans Crescent surrounding part of the 19th century Town Hall building.

Smithills Hall is a stunning 800 year old mansion house set in broad acres of parkland. In the house visitors will find magnificent, beautifully decorated rooms, these contain numerous treasures including fine Stuart furniture.

Modern day Bolton offers a huge number of family attractions, these include the delightful Last Drop Village with its fascinating specialist shops and leisure facilities. Then there is Animal World and the Butterfly House, Museums and Art Galleries, the Horwich Heritage Centre, and for sporting enthusiasts there is the giant Reebok Stadium Museum and Tour Centre. With the famous Pennines on the doorstep visitors will have no trouble discovering a close at hand rich expanse of countryside offering endless possibilities for keen walkers and nature lovers. Jumbles country park is the perfect place for fishing and offers peaceful picnic spots. And for those not wishing to wander too far from the delights of city life, Bolton offers plenty of green spaces and spacious city parks. Reservoirs outside the city offer scope for waterside walks, fishing and enjoying some of the regions wildlife.

Bolton makes the perfect destination for tourists wishing to explore the history and industrial heritage of the north of England whilst enjoying the very best of modern city life.