As the autumn air sweeps across Bolton, there’s one destination that should be at the top of your seasonal bucket list.
Nestled in the village of Chapeltown lies Turton Tower.
The historic manor house is a Grade I listed building and a haven for autumn lovers.
Blending history and nature, it is an ideal spot for an autumnal walk, with a variety of rambling routes.
The surrounding grounds are rich with woodland trails, giving visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the vibrant hues of the season.
There’s also Turton Tower Woodland Café (@turtontowerwoodlandcafe on Instagram) serving sandwiches, hot drinks, homemade sweet treats and ice cream.
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Located inside the original kitchen of Turton Tower, the café overlooks the Victorian tennis court and is surrounded by beautiful gardens.
At the weekend, the family-run café cooks up bacon, sausage and egg barms, perfect for a crisp morning.
Open all year round, the café operates from Wednesday to Sunday from 10.30am to 4pm.
The grounds
Turton Tower is full of hidden gems.
There is an adventure playground for children and the Victorian Kitchen Garden, welcoming visitors to admire the hard-working horticulturists.
Once lost to brambles and overgrowth, the garden has been lovingly revived by volunteers over the past decade.
Wednesday is Gardening Day, creating a buzzing atmosphere on the volunteer-run grounds.
For keen walkers, Turton Tower is also the starting point for some spectacular reservoir routes.
One popular option is the four-mile walk to Jumbles Reservoir, which twists through Chapeltown and Turton Bottoms before circling the reservoir.
The walk is mostly flat and easy-going, and offers a convenient refreshment stop at Jumbles Visitor Centre.
We recommend wrapping up warm and putting your wellies on this winter.
There is also the Wayoh Reservoir Circular, taking roughly two and a half to three hours.
This trail takes you on a gentle wander along the Wayoh and Turton and Entwistle reservoirs.
The path from Turton will lead you over the hills to Turton and Entwistle Reservoir.
As you walk along the dam, enjoy the views across the water and keep your eyes peeled for birdlife.
Continue along the banks of Wayoh Reservoir before making your way back to the trailhead.
For those seeking an incredibly ambitious route, there’s Witton Weavers Way.
This 32-mile trail promises sweeping views of Winter Hill and Holcombe Moor and the full circuit takes two days to complete.
There are endless routes around the Tower just waiting to be discovered.
Christmas at Turton
This winter, Turton Tower’s ground floor will be decorated for a traditional Victorian Christmas.
Local musicians will be performing to add to the festive feeling.
The gift shop will be bursting with Christmas goodies, and the Woodland Café will of course be open for warming refreshments.
The free events will take place on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 of December, from 11am to 4pm.
Plan Your Visit
While the historic nature of the building limits disabled access to some areas, the team at Turton Tower is happy to assist visitors who call ahead.
There are also accessible toilets in the grounds.
Dogs are more than welcome in the gardens and gift shop, though they are not permitted inside the house unless they are service dogs.
Using the postcode BL7 0HG will take you straight to the free car park with a maximum stay of three hours.
For those using public transport, Bromley Cross train station is a 25-minute walk away, and bus routes are available.
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