Welcome to Bolton, a vibrant and lively town within Greater Manchester. Bolton is an historic town, beieved to have existed (perhaps under different names) for thousands of years. The first documented mention of the town was in 1067 when William the Conqueror bestowed the Manor of Bolton to Roger de Poitou.
Bolton has a long history of being a bustling market town and is today one of the North West's most popular shopping destinations. There are still markets in Bolton today, though its previous main marketplace, the impressive Victorian Market Hall was recently redeveloped into a shopping centre. There is also an out-of-town shopping centre, the Middlebrook Retail and Leisure Park, home of the Bolton Wanderers, the Bolton Arena, and various other shops and refreshment outlets.
Bolton has a great deal to offer in terms of leisure and culture. One of the most famous venues in the area, the Albert Halls is the name given to two halls and several function rooms within Bolton's imposing town hall which act as a local venue for events. The Albert Halls house a 670-seat theatre with an exciting programme of events, ranging from pantomimes to dance to comedy and music.
The Octagon is one of the region's most popular venues attracting over 135,000 visitors per year. It is producing theatre which produces around seven professional theatre productions per year. The venue was designed with such flexibility that audiences are never more than 30 feet from the stage and actors.
Also worth a visit is Hall i' th' Wood, an unusual timber framed Grade I listed 16th century manor house, owned by Samuel Crompton in the 18th century. Crompton lived in the house when he designed and built the first spinning mule. Hall i' th' Wood (local dialect for "Hall in the Wood") is currently a museum run by Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council.