Bolton ~ BL1

Bolton is the main of eight townships within Bolton Metropolitan Borough, officially part of Greater Manchester, when in April 1974, local government reorganization 'moved' Bolton from Lancashire. Bolton's social history has roots back to 1251, with an industrial history dating back to in 1337. Today it's a major town with diverse industry. It is twined with Le Mans, France and Paderborn, Germany. The Coat of Arms, and much of Bolton, features elephants. Nearby towns are Bury, Manchester and Wigan.

Places of interest

There's the free museum and art gallery in the library opposite the town hall. The museum has a collection of local history items, and an Egyptian collection. In the basement of the library is an aquarium.

Moss Bank Park and Animal World is host to Butterfly World as well, entry is free.

Queens Park is quite close to the town centre and is ideal for a quiet walk away from it all.

Living in Bolton

The town is easily reached by road, rail and air. Bolton is at the hub of the motorway network, on a mainline rail route and 30 minutes' drive from Manchester Airport.

The recently re-furbished town centre offers one of the best selections of shops in the North West, and there are also many out of town shopping areas. Market days are Tuesday, Thursday and Saturdays, and the fish, meat, and fruit market is open Fridays. The Market Hall on Market Street is open every day. The Water Place swimming complex provides extensive leisure facilities and the town also has a multi screen cinema at Middlebrook. The Albert Halls complex in the town hall regularly stage shows, concerts and exhibitions.

Bolton Wanderers football club have a new stadium at Middlebrook.

Bolton has many good independent and comprehensive schools, and there is also a university. As part of Bolton's continued success Bolton Sixth Form Collage has focused on offer a wide range of further education and now offers 37 subjects at advance subsidiary level (AS level) and general certificate of education advanced level (GCE A level), 7 courses at advanced certificate of vocational education (AVCE), 2 national diploma courses and a foundation course in information and communications technology.

There are a number of lovely country trails and parks within the area. The Irwell Sculpture Trail is the largest public art scheme in the United Kingdom, with over 50 regional, national and international artists represented along 30 miles of trail. In fine weather the moors surrounding Bolton are beautiful and dramatic. On some days a silence seems to descend, broken only by skylarks or a gentle breeze whispering through the coarse grass. On several of the moors the heather burns purple in late summer.

Estate and Letting Agents for Bolton BL1