Bolton be my Valentine: Showing Bolton some love ♡
- Feb 14, 2019
- 9 min read
Updated: Feb 16, 2019
'It's grim up North'.... For a long time, the North has had negative connotations. People like to slate their hometown. It's so easy when you're focusing on negatives or experiences to just see a town that way and just as easy to forget the positives and what makes a town special and brilliant. If you had to be given the task of promoting and informing a tourist of your hometown, you'll be surprised of all the things you ignore or take for granted when you come to sell the place you grew up in, the place you've made fond memories in and the place you've made and developed relationships in. Here's a little dedication to the brilliance of ♡ BOLTON ♡
♡ History ♡
Deriving from the Old English bothl-tun, 'a settlement with a dwelling', Bolton's etymology traces back to the first recorded use of the name, in the form Boelton, in 1185 to describe Bolton le Moors with a motto of Supera Moras meaning 'overcome difficulties'. This being a pun on the Bolton-super-Moras version of the name which literally translates to, 'Bolton on the moors'.
Bolton became a market town and borough in 1253, and a market was held until the 18th century with one of the first recorded mentions of Ye Olde Man & Scythe, in 1251 (one of the oldest pubs in Britain and the oldest in Bolton). In 1337 Flemish weavers settled and introduced the manufacture of woollen cloth with more settling in the town from fleeing the Huguenot persecutions in the 17th century.
One of the notable events in Bolton's history was the Bolton Massacre during the English Civil War. The Boltonians were Puritans and supported the Parliamentarian cause. The town was attacked twice with Bolton showing its motto and overcoming them. However, on 28 May 1644 Prince Rupert's Royalist army and under the command of the Earl of Derby (from the Stanley family that took ownership of Bolton from the 12th and 13th centuries), Bolton was attacked again. 1,500 died, 700 were taken prisoner and at the end of the Civil War, Lord Derby was tried as a traitor and condemned to death. His appeal for pardon to parliament was rejected and he attempted to escape. He was recaptured and executed for his part in the massacre outside Ye Olde Man & Scythe on 15 October 1651. The Storming of Bolton was recently demonstrated and acted out on the fields of Bolton School by fantastic actors showcasing the costumes, weapons, stalls and way of living at the time.
From the Industrial Revolution, a tradition of cotton spinning and weaving (with improvements to spinning technology by local inventors, Richard Arkwright and Samuel Crompton), led to rapid growth of the textile industry in the 19th century. Crompton, whilst living at Hall i' th' Wood in Bolton, invented the spinning mule in 1779.
♡ Landmarks ♡
As mentioned, one of the oldest pubs in Britain and the oldest in Bolton, is Ye Olde Man & Scythe, dating back to 1251, rebuilt in 1636. The Earl of Derby, James Stanley, a traitor of the town had his last drink here before being executed outside. The pub is one of the town's quaint and historic places that is part museum inside. Always a lively town pub on the weekends hosting live bands and during the week hosting open mics, jam nights as well as a cosy spot for the Bolton Ukulele Group.
Bolton and the North West are known for beautiful countryside and nature hikes. Rivington Pike of Winter Hill sees many walkers taking in rural sights of the town and borough with lovely northern sunsets. Bikers love riding down the country roads and lanes around Rivington to Entwistle. The landmark Pike Tower was built as a hunting lodge by John Andrews of Rivington Hall. Well admired, it even inspired a song by Doves.
♫ Wherever you go
You will return safe
And when you will walk
You'll be walking with me
But if comes the day
You meet someone new
You will be with them
But I'll be thinking of you
Climb the long grassy track
To the top of Winter Hill
Stay with me see so far at the top
I'll see you back
I'll see you back on Winter Hill
Well she travels far So we stayed apart But she crossed her heart on Winter Hill ♫
With recent refurbishments like the Mary Poppins themed tea room, a visit to this historic manor house and gardens is a scenic one indeed. Early medieval records about the hall date back to 1335 with the oldest parts of the hall opened as a museum in 1963. In the 1990s, the museum was extended into some of the Victorian extensions. It has been a popular spot for Most Haunted with eerie tales as well as hosting ghost tours. The venue and gardens also host lovely summer garden parties with a range of animals paying a visit. Close by is also the Smithills Farm, open to visitors to see all of the farm animals, often allowing people to feed.
At Le Mans Crescent (named in 1974 after twinning with the French town), situates the Civic Centre that houses the Bolton Museum & Aquarium, Bolton Library, health clinics, and courts (built in 1932–39). Its architecture is reminiscent of Victorian to early modernist 20th-century and why it's a notable spot for filming from Peaky Blinders using the location as well as an upcoming ITV drama, Bancroft. The library updates its exhibitions regularly with brilliant events for all. Most recently, is the Egyptian exhibition. Not long ago, I heard a talk there from experts in mummification in the lecture hall and it was fascinating.
♡ Countryside ♡
Living in Bolton, you're never too far away from great walking trails, parks and hikes to take time out in nature and greenery. Ducks, geese, chickens, horses, rabbits, squirrels etc. may say hello.
A rural 750 acre site at Moses Gate in the Croal and Irwell valleys is located 3 miles south of Bolton town centre, connecting Farnworth to Little Lever and is a Local Nature Reserve, part of which is also known as Crompton Lodges. Often ice-cream vans are there to brighten up the summer walks with geese and ducks ready to greet. Flowery green carpets and many rural pathways make for a peaceful, natural walk around the park with views of the lake.
Lying on the southern edge of the West Pennine Moors, this park was opened on 11 March 1971 by Queen Elizabeth II and is a serene park with walking paths and bridges around a reservoir. Trails will take you around woodlands with bird-watching, lovely greenery and a nearby cafe.
A water reservoir in the neighbouring village of Edgworth, its existence is due to the Entwistle Dam. When constructed in 1832 the Entwistle Dam was the highest in Britain and rises 108 feet from the base. The reservoir contains almost 750 thousand imperial gallons (roughly 3,400,000 litres) and, with the Wayoh Reservoir just below, satisfies around 50% of Bolton's need for drinking water. A popular spot for afternoon and evening strolls with opportunities to explore off the paths.
Seven Acres Country Park is more than 300 years old lying between Tonge and Breightmet in Bolton. It actually encompasses an area more than 15 acres and is home to many kinds of wildlife. There are over 70 kinds of bird, including kingfisher, dipper, sparrowhawk, kestrel, song thrush, bullfinch, grey heron and blackcap. There are at least 18 kinds of butterfly and at least 10 types of dragonfly.
In and around Bolton, you'll find many more trails, paths and parks taking you to shortcuts around the natural rural areas of the town and neighbouring villages, crossing to other smaller towns in the borough as well as Darwen, Blackburn and Turton.
Of course, as mentioned, Winter Hill is a famous countryside spot for hikes and taking in high views of Bolton (why the TV Mast is situated here), and the nearby towns. On clear days, views from the summit can give: Blackpool Tower, Snaefell in Isle of Man, Snowdonia, Liverpool and the four national parks.
♡ Urban Life ♡
Bolton has seen some exciting developments and transformations recently with added business to the town helping put the town on the map for innovation and as a competing town for Greater Manchester.
The University of Bolton is regarded as one of the leading universities for gaming and computer-related courses. In 2018, it was voted University of the Year in Greater Manchester, and in 2019, it is No.1 for student satisfaction in Greater Manchester. It now hosts the National Centre for Motorsport Engineering (NCME). Building on the success of the Centre for Advanced Performance Engineering (CAPE), the brand new £13 million NCME development is designed to house the next step in the evolution of motorsport education in the UK. Connected to the University is Bolton One, a modern gym and sports facilities venue offering a range of classes and leisure activities.
The Vaults (which date back to 1855) have recently been refurbished in the basement area of Market Place. These Vaults are part of the original market halls and have a history dating back to the 1800’s and as part of their big renovation, the Vaults have installed many restaurants as well as a crazy golf course and modern bar with a piano nearby. Just above The Vaults in the Market Place is the recent instalment of the Light Cinema, a modern and brilliant venue for all things film, with food, a comfy bar area and quizzes. Cinema, food, drink and plenty of high-street brands to shop around with quirky stalls and fairs will make great days out.
Within the town centre there are a range of restaurants serving different cuisines from Spanish, Italian, Japanese to Indian and most recently even some Greek.
Town eateries to check out:
In town, you'll find the popular Yates bar, a Wetherspoons and Elephant & Castle, all serving classic pub food.
Town bars to check out:
And there are many more to explore around the town centre with many cosy, fantastic pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes on the outskirts.
Bolton also has an ambitious £1bn town centre regeneration masterplan with plans to renovate the Crompton Place Shopping Centre and Church Wharf. For Trinity Gateway, a 230ft tower block, 500 space multi-storey car park and 30,000 sq ft office block are part of the proposals for the latest town centre regeneration scheme. The town's Octagon Theatre is also seeing new plans to improve the site that has hosted many fantastic plays and performances.
Bolton is an evolving business town as well as a homely, northern, countryside town that's great for residing in.
♡ Bolton Brags ♡
And finally some fun and boastful facts about the town.
Unilever
One of the most successful and monopolising businesses has roots in Bolton. In September 1929, Unilever was formed by a merger of the operations of Dutch Margarine Unie and British soapmaker Lever Brothers (voila Unilever). Lever Brothers was founded by William Hesketh Lever, 1st Viscount Leverhulme and James Darcy Lever (both name parts of Bolton, Darcy Lever and Leverhulme Park). William Hesketh Lever ran the business mainly and was an English industrialist, philanthropist, and politician. After education, at age 15, he started work at his father's wholesale grocery business in Bolton and since then worked to create the successful soap business with his brother. Lever Brothers was one of several British companies that took an interest in the welfare of its British employees. The model village of Port Sunlight was developed between 1888 and 1914 adjoining the soap factory to accommodate the company's staff in good quality housing, with high architectural standards and many community facilities. A real working class, inspiring company.
Unilever owns over 400 brands making billions from a range of successful everyday brands like: Magnum, Surf, Sunsilk, Hellmann's, Knorr, Dove to Lynx and selling products in around 190 countries, being one of the oldest multinational companies. Quite brag-worthy.
Pasties
Bolton is known for its exceptional pasties with Bolton's finest Carrs Pasties to the historic Ye Olde Pastie Shoppe having delivered across the country because of their fine quality.
Notable figures of Bolton
Samuel Crompton (1753–1827) – inventor of the Spinning Mule
James Darcy Lever (1854–1910) – born in Bolton, co-founder of Lever Brothers, which became Unilever
William Lever, 1st Viscount Leverhulme (Lord Leverhulme) (1851–1925) – born in Bolton, co-founder of Lever Brothers which became Unilever.
Nat Lofthouse (1925–2011) – footballer, played for Bolton Wanderers and England
Fred Dibnah (1938–2004) – steeplejack, engineer and TV presenter, born in Farnworth
Peter Kay (born 1973) – comedian, actor, writer and producer
Sir Ian McKellen (born 1939) – stage and film actor, born in Burnley and educated at Bolton School
Danny Boyle (born 1956) – film director, born in Radcliffe, Greater Manchester, but educated in Bolton
Amir Khan (born 1986) – professional boxer (light-welterweight world champion)
Tom Parker (born 4 August 1988) – member of pop boy band The Wanted
Badly Drawn Boy (Damon Michael Gough) (born 1969) - singer-songwriter for Badly Drawn Boy and grew up in Breightmet, Bolton
Sammy Winward (born 1985) – actress, singer and model, notably playing Katie Sugden in Emmerdale
Maxine Peake (born 1974) – actress, played in Shameless, born in Westhoughton
Jason Kenny (born 1988) – 2008, 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics track cycling gold medallist, born in Farnworth. British athlete with most gold medals in history (six) and has a sports centre named after him in Bolton
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