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BEST RATED BOLTON, UK PLACES TO VISIT

3 Best Places To Visit in Bolton, UK

Expert-recommended Top 3 Places To Visit in Bolton, UK. All of our places to visit actually undergo a rigorous 50-Point Inspection, which includes local reviews, history, business standards, ratings, satisfaction, trust, price and their trading excellence. You deserve only the best!

Bolton Museum
Bolton Museum
Bolton Museum
Bolton places to visit Bolton Museum video
5+ YEARS IN TBR
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BOLTON MUSEUM

(5.0 Score)
Le Mans Crescent, Bolton BL1 1SE, UK Directions

Since 1852

Speciality:

✓ Egyptology ✓ Archaeology ✓ Displays of Art ✓ Botany and Zoology ✓ Exhibitions and Events

“Bolton Museum is a public museum and art gallery that showcases a variety of exhibits and artworks. The museum is housed in a 19th-century building, and the museum features local history displays, paintings, decorative arts, and a freshwater fish collection. The museum provides insight into its origins and history, dating back to 1852. The extensive fish collection includes a wide variety of freshwater species from around the world. Bolton Museum's exhibitions showcase artworks and objects from its collections worldwide, and exhibits range from Egyptian mummies to local history and wildlife. Visitors can explore the fascinating history of Bolton, the places and people, alongside displays of art, Egyptology, archaeology, botany, and zoology. The museum also hosts friendly events and exhibitions throughout the year and offers free entry to all visitors.

2025 Update: Bolton Museum offers a wheelchair-accessible car park, entrance, and toilet.”

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Contact:

01204 332211 01204 333173

Mon,Tue,Thu-Sat: 9am - 5pm
Wed: 9:30am - 5pm
Sun: 10am - 4pm

TBR® Inspection Report:

Smithills Hall
Smithills Hall
Smithills Hall
Bolton places to visit Smithills Hall video
9+ YEARS IN TBR
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SMITHILLS HALL

(4.9 Score)
Smithills Dean Road, Bolton BL1 7NP, UK Directions

Speciality:

✓ Live Music ✓ Wedding ✓ Tea Room ✓ Timeline Exhibition ✓ Summer Garden Party ✓ Little Voices Drama ✓ Smithills Farm Donkey Rides ✓ Medieval Fighting Displays ✓ Craft and Food Stalls ✓ Hall ✓ History Tours ✓ Members Events and Group Booking Tours

“Smithills Hall is a Grade I listed manor house and is recognised as a scheduled monument. The Hall is 500 feet above sea level on the slopes of the West Pennine Moors. The oldest part of the hall was opened as a museum in 1963, with some Victorian extensions added to the museum in the 1990s. The hall is built on a formal terrace and surrounded by parkland. The great hall, dating back to the early 14th century, is the oldest part of the structure. The oldest section is constructed with timber frames, and the stonework is done with roughly coursed rubble stone. Smithills Hall offers guided tours led by professional volunteer guides during opening hours and provides free admission to visitors.

2025 Update: Smithills Hall is located 3 miles northwest of the town centre. The hall showcases beautiful architecture from Medieval and Tudor to Victorian times and is set in formal gardens beside the West Pennine Moors.”

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Price:

TOUR GUIDES:
Per Adult £6
Concession £4.50

Contact:

01204 332377

Wed-Fri: 10am - 4pm
Sun: 12am - 4pm
Sat,Mon & Tue: Closed

TBR® Inspection Report:

Bolton Steam Museum
Bolton Steam Museum
Bolton Steam Museum
Bolton places to visit Bolton Steam Museum video
8+ YEARS IN TBR
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BOLTON STEAM MUSEUM

(4.9 Score)
Mornington Road, Off Chorley Old Road, Bolton BL1 4EU, UK Directions

Since 1983

Speciality:

✓ Photography ✓ Displays ✓ Diamond Rope Works ✓ Wasp Mill Tandem ✓ Robey Uniflow ✓ Browett and Lindley ✓ Barring Engines Exhibits ✓ Crossfield and Beam Engine ✓ Walker Fire Pump ✓ Barraclough Vertical ✓ Langbridge Diagonal ✓ Tangye Horizontal and Dee Mill Engine Exhibits

“Bolton Steam Museum has the most extensive collection of stationary steam engines that once powered the mills and factories of the textile industry during the Industrial Revolution. The Bolton Steam Museum showcases around 30 steam engines and related artefacts, some of which are over 180 years old. On regular open days in Bolton Steam Museum, visitors can witness these engines in action, operating under steam power. Guided tours can be arranged for a nominal fee for pre-booked parties and groups, offering an informative and engaging experience.

2025 Update: Bolton Steam Museum features wheelchair-accessible parking, entrance, and toilet facilities.”

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Contact:

01204 846490 01257 265003

Wed & Sun: 10am - 3pm
Mon, Tue & Thu-Sat: Closed

TBR® Inspection Report:

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BOLTON MUSEUM REVIEWS

When we visited there were 2 ladies doing "express yourself" workshop. My 7 year old daughter absolutely loved the work shop. The children were able to draw, sing, dance and play instruments to express different types of weather which I found incredibly creative. We will definitely be returning to the museum. The downstairs mini aquarium was also lovely to see and the information on each species of fish was very informative.

Great way to spend a Sunday, free to enter and lots for the kids. Multiple museums, aquarium, art gallery and a modern library. There's even a nice cafe too. If you park at the octagon theater it's a 30 second walk away. There's even a small kids play park outside. Wish I knew about this place sooner as it's difficult to find affordable things to do on a Sunday with the kids besides the usual park.

What a fabulous local amenity this is! I was a visitor to Bolton today, and I spent an hour walking around the Museum, Art Gallery and Aquarium. These places really are for all of us. Here, you can see how and why.

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SMITHILLS HALL REVIEWS

I wasn't expecting much but I really enjoyed my visit here. I visited on a cold, wet December Friday and the heating wasn't working but there was a warmth about the place, arising, I think, from the wonderful staff and the ancient timbers and stones. The building has evolved over nearly 700 years and there is interest in every room. I especially enjoyed the great Hall and the panelled dining room. The restaurant is excellent and justifiably popular. I was grateful that they fitted me in on a busy day and very much enjoyed the light lunch I had.

Smithills hall is a absolute hidden gem. Free to enter (it is owned by Bolton council) but you can pay a little extra for a tour. The house has been added to over the centuries and has wonderful furnishings. The gardens are beautiful. All the staff are friendly and keen to tell you about the hall. Also a lovely little cafe with some of the best cakes I have ever eaten. I can't recommend a visit highly enough.

Exceptional place to be!!! The cafe inside the hall was brilliant with delicious and affordable options from snacks to main courses! The hall itself simply breathtaking and the outdoor area beautifully maintained! Can’t wait to visit again!!

BOLTON STEAM MUSEUM REVIEWS

My son and I had a most wonderful time here at the Bolton steam museum. If I could give more stars I would!! We had travelled up from Hythe, Kent and were given a facinating and informative tour round the museum and even had some of the engines started for us!!! How different to get the chance to see them working, they are so much more imposing when the massive flywheels are spinning. Access was easy and I see no problems facing the disabled. Toilets are on site. All in all an incredible experience and I highly recommend the Bolton steam museum to all.

We spent a brilliant 3 hours at this fantassteam museum. All the volunteers we chatted with were so knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the engines, especially the ran most of them one after the other and explained how each one worked and the differences. I can't recommend this place as a must-see museum.

Great to see the engines working under steam power. We were lucky to get a guided tour of the boiler room. Photo is looking inside the boiler at the gas flame.

TBR® Inspection Score Report

BOLTON MUSEUM Total Inspection Points: 119/120
Complete Info: 9
Acknowledgements: 10
Business Hours: 10
Business Images: 10
Current Evaluation: 10
Exact Services: 10
Experience: 10
Legitimate Ratings: 10
Reviews Accuracy of : 10
Reviews Study: 10
Videos: 10
Website Standard: 10

TBR® Inspection Score Report

SMITHILLS HALL Total Inspection Points: 118/120
Business Hours: 8
Acknowledgements: 10
Business Images: 10
Contact Info: 10
Current Evaluation: 10
Exact Services: 10
Experience: 10
Legitimate Ratings: 10
Reviews Accuracy of : 10
Videos: 10
Website Source: 10
Website Standard: 10

TBR® Inspection Score Report

BOLTON STEAM MUSEUM Total Inspection Points: 117/120
Acknowledgements: 9
Complete Info: 9
Current Evaluation: 9
Business Images: 10
Contact Info: 10
Exact Services: 10
Experience: 10
Legitimate Ratings: 10
Reviews Accuracy of : 10
Videos: 10
Website Source: 10
Website Standard: 10
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