AFTER a Christmas filled with presents and meals, some of us are looking to be more careful with our finances this month.
Here are five of the best free family attractions for you and your family to visit on a frosty winter weekend.
Moses Gate Country Park
TAKE a trip to this local beauty spot for a wander around the three lodges that cover the area.
Located in Farnworth, this park is the perfect place for a family stroll and includes a well-equipped park where children can enjoy an adventure and parents can enjoy a rest.
One of the lodges is designated as a nature reserve and a variety of waterfowl and other birds can be seen all year.
Picture by Ann-Marie O’Connor.
Jumbles Country Park
PUT on your woolly hats and scarves and enjoy a walk in the park on a frosty winter morning in one of Bolton’s most picturesque locations.
First opened in 1971 by Queen Elizabeth II, the park is built around the beautiful Jumbles Reservoir in the Bradshaw Valley. It boasts a fantastic walking trail, cafe and information centre.
The woodland here is home to a range of birds, with jays, sparrowhawks, herons and kestrels spotted in the nearby Ousel Nest Meadows to the south.
On the ground, others have seen roe deer and foxes travelling through the undergrowth.
The park is only four miles from Bolton town centre and there is a car park on site, just off Bradshaw Road, and Bromley Cross Train Station is only a quarter of a mile from the park.
Picture by Laine Jeffries.
LEARNING can be fun! Take a trip to Bolton Museum, in Le Mans Crescent.
This centre of discovery has been recently refurbished and now houses one of the UK’s most comprehensive collections of Ancient Egyptian treasures.
Kids will be wowed by the Tuojiangosaurus skeleton on display in the lobby of the museum and local history buffs will enjoy the many exhibitions on Bolton’s past.
Smithills Hall
COME face-to-face with history at this Grade-I listed manor house, set against a backdrop of beautiful countryside.
The oldest parts of Smithills Hall, including the great hall itself, date from the 15th century, although it has been altered and extended since. Opening hours are 10am – 4pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and noon- 4pm on Sundays and Bank Holidays. Picture by Lynda Adamson.
Hall i' th' Wood Museum
LOCATED inside a stunning 16th Century manor house this museum tells the story of one of the most important buildings in Bolton's history.
In 1779 it was the site of the first Spinning Mule, created by Samuel Crompton, which helped to drive the industrial revolution. It is only open from 10am – 4pm on a Tuesday and 12pm – 4pm on a Saturday, but is well worth making time for. Picture by Peter Hunter.
Check in next week for five of the best romantic restaurants, to help you with your Valentines Day planning.
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