A TRAVELLER from Bolton is embarking on an road trip in which he will visit every settlement in Great Britain... named Bolton.

Matt Hayes, 29, originally from Highfield in Farnworth, will be joined by girlfriend Meg Woods, also 29, on his ambitious week-long journey.

His 800-mile journey will take him through Lancashire, Yorkshire, Northumberland, Cumbria and finally up to Scotland.

Real estate researcher Matt said: “It has been a joke for many years that I, as a proud Boltonian, should embark upon a world tour of Boltons.

“There are places all over the world sharing our great town’s name, in the US, Zimbabwe and even the Philippines.

The Bolton News: TOUR: Matt Hayes scouting out the best route

(Matt Hayes planning his adventure in Bolton)

“However, my girlfriend and I have decided, for my 30th birthday, to bite the bullet and visit the relevant landmarks in Great Britain.

“The pandemic made us go ahead with the plans that we’ve talked about for years,” he added.

“I’m also just looking forward to spending some time in the countryside.”

The couple plan to stop off at 20 Bolton-related places and landmarks throughout their trip, including Bolton Abbey and Bolton Castle.

Taking a trip down memory lane, Matt also intends to visit his university city of Lancaster, before making an all-important stop in Bolton-le-Sands.

The adventurous pair will also make stops in Bolton Green in Chorley, Bolton-on-Dearne in South Yorkshire, Bolton-on-Swale in North Yorkshire, Boltonfellend in Carlisle and Bolton in East Lothian, Scotland.

Amid the action-packed itinerary, the couple plan to take some to relax in Edinburgh.

Matt said: “We were originally planning to do this after my birthday in October.

“However, we brought our plans forward upon hearing that Michael Bolton will be performing in Blackpool on September 27.

“How better to close our historic tour of Boltons than to see the world’s second-greatest Bolton singing live on a Greatest Hits tour?”