Explore Bolton

There are many reasons why you would come to Visit Bolton, so where to start! 

Firstly, you can enjoy Bolton’s culture and there is lots of it! They have a staggering six theatres including the Octagon, a highly regarded producing theatre across the country, the amazing Bolton Albert Halls which has been a key part of cultural enjoyment for over 100 years and the historic Victoria Halls and Bolton Little Theatre. 

Culture is knitted into the town’s urban environment with the stunning architecture of Le Mans Crescent providing a backdrop to popular film and TV productions like Peaky Blinders, The Ipcress File, Passenger and A Gentleman in Moscow, giving us the nickname the ‘Hollywood of the North’. 

The centre is also home to the museum with one of the largest collections of Egyptology outside London as well as the ever-popular aquarium. 

They have a range of public spaces like Victoria Square and Queens Park which play host to national events such as the annual Bolton Food and Drink Festival which attracts over 500,000 each year, IRONMAN weekend and the Right to Roam festival. 

Enjoy a fantastic range of shopping destinations, including Marketplace shopping centre with a host of high street shops and independent brands. They are also proud to have the Middlebrook retail park which is one of the largest leisure, sports, and retail venues in the country. 

Of course, you may just want to get in touch with nature in their great outdoors walking, cycling or just relaxing on the West Pennine Moors or Rivington Pike. 

Things to do in Bolton

What's on in Bolton

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Fastlove 07 Feb 2025

Fastlove

The George Michael Tribute Direct from London’s West End with a brand new show for 2024, this…

Sweet Caroline 14 Feb 2025

Sweet Caroline

Direct from London’s Adelphi Theatre. . . it’s time for that night out you have been…

Teach Rex 21 Apr 2025

Teach Rex

After receiving over 4,000 5-star reviews for their events and selling out hundreds of shows…

Northern Live 23 May 2025

Northern Live

Keeping the Faith to the original sounds of the underground movement that started on the dance…

Power Ballads 31 May 2025

Power Ballads

The final countdown is on – Power Ballads brings the greatest rock anthems of all time to…

Where to eat and drink in Bolton

Achari

Achari Restaurant Bolton is a contemporary Indian restaurant and takeaway providing an…

Ciao Napoli

Located right at the heart of Bolton, Ciao Napoli serve classic Mediterranean cuisine in a relaxed…

Harvester

Family friendly pub with easy access off the M61. A large menu available, something for all the…

La Scala

Superb Italian restaurant and previous winner of the Bolton News Restaurant of the Year.

Nam Ploy

Nam Ploy is an enchanting Thai restaurant in Bolton which offers an unforgettable dining experience…

Odessa

Join Odessa for something to eat and drink, or a chat. You can eat in or take away. Wide…

The Brewhouse

The Brewhouse is everything desired from a local inn and restaurant - superb freshly prepared food…

Shopping

Where to stay in Bolton

The Brewhouse

Welcome to the Brewhouse! Formerly the Cheetham Arms, the property was extensively refurbished in…

The Mercury

Superbly located on the outskirts of Bolton, the Mercury is just 300 metres from the M61, Junction…

Bolton articles

Bolton Food and Drink Festival 2024: Festival Lineup

With less than a month until the UK’s biggest Food and Drink Festival begins, take a look at the lineup to make sure you don’t miss out on the fantastic events and entertainment on offer. This year’s festival is bigger and better than ever with a mix of celebrity and regional chef cookery demos, two…

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Guide to Arts and Culture in Greater Manchester

Galleries, theatres and museums are a big reason to visit Manchester. Permanent collections, temporary exhibitions, famous names, well-loved plays and local or global artefacts offer a window to the world. But wouldn’t it be nice to do more than just look out of a window? Even Da Vinci needed…

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Walking Routes in Greater Manchester

Greater Manchester is fit to burst with walking routes and trails, so we've put together a round-up of some of the best, with easy-to-use downloadable trail maps. Whether it's an easy family walk, a strenuous 5k or a picturesque dog walk you're looking for, these walks near Manchester mean you have…

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Top 5 Walks in Bolton

Towers and Turrets The Last Drop Village complex of hotel, restaurant and shops stands high above Bolton on the edge of hills and makes an excellent starting point for this scenic walk. You'll navigate towers and turrets, passing through woods to the attractive village of Chapeltown. Explore the…

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Where is Bolton