BOLTON might be landlocked — but later this month the beach is coming to the borough.

Queens Park will be transformed into a Victorian seaside resort, complete with 20 tonnes of sand, donkeys and traditional fairground games to celebrate the £4.3 million renovation of the park.

Families will be able to build sandcastles, have their pictures taken in Victorian costume and enjoy a traditional ice cream.

Traditional deckchairs will surround a renovated amphitheatre at the park and visitors can enjoy a picnic to the sounds of a variety of bands.

People will also be able to try their luck at the coconut shy and hook-a-duck.

More adventurous visitors can have a go at beach volleyball, ride-a-surf simulator, take the wipe-out challenge, or climb the climbing wall.

There will also be a funfair, as well as rides around the park in a rickshaw or penny farthing bicycle.

A Punch and Judy show and a variety of other street performers will also entertain visitors.

At the Queens Park Pavilion, there will be a pop up cinema with a showing of Spring and Port Wine, made famous by James Mason, which was filmed in Queens Park and in Bolton.

Local people can also take part in a "living history film", which will record their memories and stories of the park and growing up.


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The film will then be archived as part of the Heritage Lottery project at Manchester Libraries archive.

Cllr John Byrne, Bolton Council's cabinet member for neighbourhood and community services, said: “We’re really excited to be holding this event, which celebrates the refurbishment of Queens Park and its restoration to its former Victorian glory.

“We hope that residents will enjoy taking part in all the traditional Victorian seaside activities, from donkey rides to penny farthing bicycle rides and from watching Punch and Judy to hooking a duck at a sideshow.

“We’d like to encourage everyone to come down to the park for what we’re sure will be a great day out for all the family.”

The attraction will be in Queens Park between 11am and 4pm on May 25.