retiredmartin

April 2024. Bolton.

A Friday night in Greater Manchester’s most underrated town (after Leigh), requested by ace pub ticket and curry Queen Blackpool Jane. Which reminds me, I must catch up with Curry Charles.

First time in Bolton since pre-COVID, and nothing new since then. But it’s always good to revisit and re-evaluate any town, particularly since ChatGPT started asking me for underrated towns.

Bolton hasn’t had much gentrification yet, but that keeps the price of the central Travelodge low so you’ve more to spend on the pubs.

It’s a town of abandoned industry and graceful civic buildings,

with a stunning town hall,

and one of the country’s top museums.

No it really is. A mix of aquarium, antiquity and art exhibits.

There’s a decent amount of pub stuff, including Bolton’s (unused) contribution to the Mass Observation,

and some quite brilliant photos of pub life.

You can’t have social history without a pub, can you ?

And you can’t have an aquarium without an angry fish.

The Egyptian section is superb, though the use of Susannah Hoffs singing “Walk Like An Egyptian” seems a bit of a stretch.

A great (free, donations welcomed) way to spend an hour before your first pub.