A small children's play area off Wigan Road…read more There's a very good playground there: Bolton Council have recently invested some money in their children's play facilities, and they have put in quite a bit of new equipment here. As a consequence it's a really good facility with plenty to keep the kids amused and to help them burn of some energy. Apart from the playground, though, there's not much here! And the parking isn't great either -- you have to park on Wigan Road itself really. But all in all, it's a decent resource to have in the neighbourhood -- we certainly like it!

As picturesque as it gets in Bolton, the Jumbles is a firm favourite for locals and outsiders…read morealike. This was at full testimony on my last walk (Sunday) when the weather had perked up a little as almost half of Bolton had decided to do the same! That could sound quite negative but it's definitely not, theres room and space for all. Most would say it's better when the sun is shining and you don't need to wrap up like you're about to tackle an blizzard on Snowdon, but sometimes it's just as beautiful to walk round when it's bitterly cold and the trees are frosting in stead of blooming. I'm very lucky to have this on my doorstep although I don't utilise it enough. If you're looking for a new walking route or a different reservoir to explore, make the Jumbles your next stop - and call in at my house for a cuppa on your way out!

Still a great park with resurfaced tennis courts,new cafe and rock garden now open April-Sept…read more(except in bad weather) BUT Animal World closed in 2014 as part of Council economies

This is one of Bolton's most popular parks -- apparently there are over half a million visits a…read moreyear here. It's also one of Bolton's biggest, covering over 34 hectares. There are plenty of things to do -- a limited miniature railway offers train rides in the summer, there are some pleasant gardens (although they never seem to be in tip-top shape) and there is also an Animal World and Butterfly House -- effectively a free zoo! The kids' playground has kept our two (aged 3 and 5) amused for many an hour over the years. Parking is a bit limited -- if you can't get in the first car park there's a lesser-known one round the back (follow the road round to Barrow Bridge, a pretty little village worth a visit in its own right). All in all, a great place for the kids to let off steam.

One of our favourite Bolton parks -- small but perfectly formed, as they say. There's an excellent…read morechildren's playground: the Council have recently spent a huge amount of money updating the swings, slides and so on and it's been money well spent. Our kids (aged 3 and 5) love going there and letting off some steam. Apart from the playground there's a bowling green and plenty of grass to play football/cricket/whatever -- although to be honest that's about it. It's just over the road from a local secondary school so it may be best avoided at certain times of the week, but during the holidays and at weekends it's a good place to visit.

Rivington Barn is brilliant. It's a truly magnificent hall which dates from the 1200's and is a…read morestone's throw from some stunning woodlands and ornamental Chinese gardens built by former resident and nut-job, Lord Leverhulme. There's a cracking little tea room that's pretty functional in terms of what it sells (tea, coffee, flapjacks, etc) but you couldn't wish for anything more as the surroundings are so achingly lovely. If you were looking for an idyllic setting for a wedding, Rivington Hall Barn is tough to beat. Also, if you're a biker, then a ride through the Pennines should definitely be on the cards. Every Sunday, hundreds (if not thousands) of people in leather congregate here (and the nearby Lower Barn) to show off their gleaming machines and generally dribble over the finer points of tweaked engines and buffed exhaust pipes (or whatever it is you perverts talk about). In short, should you be in the area and be faced with reasonable weather, make a bee-line for this place. You'll be fizzing with enthusiasm about it for weeks.

This is an amazing place on most Sundays. Bikers meet here from all over the place, riding many…read moremiles just to show off their bikes and have a drink and a chat with like-minded people. All are welcomed and many bikers will talk about their bikes until the light fades! The cafe at the top of the hill is quite an impressive structure and has a very basic array of foods and drinks plus a licensed bar. The area itself is huge and features many scenic walks. No entrance fee.

This park is deeply rooted in the Daubhill area of town and is a much appreciated green space for…read morelocal children and residents. Unfortunately a recent spate of vandalism has led to the removal of the skate ramps and play park for safety reasons, but there is still a large area of park space which is popular with joggers, dog walkers and children from the local primary school who are brought here on a regular basis during their playtimes and lunchtimes. One can only hope that the council will act swiftly to restore the features of this park and bring the space back to its full potential.

I've spent many hours on the mighty Old Station Park, getting up to wholesome and, well, not so…read morewholesome hi-jinx. Old Station Park is the place for dreamers. You have your first illicit fag or stolen cheek-reddening kiss on these hallowed grounds that once was a hub of railway activity. The last train has long pulled out of this particular bit of Horwich, and so many jobs went with it. Seen as an act of hope-filling civic pride, this park was a beacon for a former community bond. However, once the jobs went, the alcoholism and heroin rolled into town, which, when the moon comes up, seeps into the folds of this fine park. Basically, in the daylight hours, this is a really fun place with a couple of playgrounds, some ornamental train wheels (to act as a reminder of what went before and, alas, the keeper of some of my more un-wholesome secrets... to which, I apologise to that man walking his dog. I was unseasonably warm and I'd been drinking) and the like and, come the night, the scallies mooch about, bored and S shaped, shooting up and passing out on grass verges. I dearly love this place though and it is great in the summer. A place filled with children making rubbish dams in Pearl Brook and people offering to play in skins on the nearby astroturf. Old Station Park - I love you... provided you don't tell me mum what I used to get up to with you.

As its name would suggest, this park is built on what used to be Horwich Station. The trains have…read morelong gone, but they've been replaced by a very good little park. There's plenty of space for the kids to let off steam, and there's been significant recent investment in the playground too, with the result that the swings and slides on offer are now very good. There are paths to explore (up to the local swimming pool, for example), a small stream that runs through the park, and some half-decent sports facilities too. The biggest downside, perhaps, is the car park, which is small and only accessible by way of some back-streets. But all in all, a good place for a run around.

Our two kids (aged 3 and 5) enjoy coming here for a walk, particularly in the Autumn when there can…read morebe a lot of blackberries around (particularly at the end away from the car park). It's a really pleasant place for a walk -- there's a riverside path (well, a stream-side path really) and quite a few open fields to run around in and explore. There's a bridge over the river/stream that's a great place for playing pooh-sticks. Occasionally there seem to be big equestrian events there but even when there are you can still do all the walks etc. The only thing it lacks really is a kids' playground. An active Friends group seems to have a real passion for the place so it's usually very well looked after. I'm not sure it's really big enough to merit its Country Park tag (I always think of Country Parks as being altogether bigger) but all in all it's a great place for a Sunday afternoon stroll.

Beautiful. A genuine ancient and historical old house which has many areas free and open to the…read morepublic to walk around, complete with information in each room about the history of the house and its inhabitants, as well as mentions of the ghosts which apparently haunt the property! It also now ends in a nice cafe/tearoom where you can enjoy a hot drink and a cake, or a bit of a light lunch for a good price, and even purchase souvenirs of the house itself. It sits in pleasant grounds near the Smithills Farm, and has a free car park, and pleasant areas to walk, both for short walks and long walks, as indicated by markers around the grounds. A pleasant day out for everyone, especially history buffs.

As a Horwich person. do you know of anybody wanting there VHS videos converting to a DVD, as I can…read moredo the art work on the DVD & Covers according to what is on the video, I have done quiet a few Wedding video's for people, my email address. familybooth@writeme.com

A historic town-centre park with plenty of space for the kids to run around, play…read morefootball/cricket/whatever and so on. It's a reasonable size and there are plenty of well-marked paths to explore, and there's also a kids' playground with a good variety of the usual swings/climbing-frames etc (although it's at the far end of the park from the main Chorley New Road entrance). Parking is not wonderful, but there's usually enough space on Chorley New Road. The only downside is that the place never looks especially well cared-for; perhaps its central location means it's particularly vulnerable to anti-social behaviour which, given the park's proud history, is a shame. So, not a bad place for a visit -- but if you're driving there you might enjoy a visit to Moss Bank or Moses Gate more instead.