Bolton’s Library, Museum and Archive Services sit at the heart of communities in the borough. The services provide access to information, inspiration through collections and promote reading for pleasure and learning.
The museum on Le Mans Crescent is home to:
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one of the most comprehensive collections of Ancient Egyptian objects in the UK,
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an impressive Local History collection that tells the story of the town’s industrial heritage,
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one of the best Natural History collections in the UK covering Botany, Entymology and Geology, and
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a fine Art collection of over 3500 objects including 20th century oils, watercolours, prints and sculptures.
The building also plays host to an Aquarium which specialises in tropical freshwater fish.
You can also visit our two historic Halls, Halli’th’wood Hall, the former home of Samuel Crompton, inventor of the spinning mule and Smithills Hall, a Grade 1 listed building full of history and drama. Containing fine examples of architecture through the ages, from Medieval and Tudor right through to Victorian times, Smithills Hall is set in formal gardens in the West Pennine Moors.