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With the summer holidays in full swing, we’ve designed the perfect family-friendly day out in Bolton to keep the kids entertained without having to venture too far from home. There are so many fantastic activities on our doorstep, and many of them are completely free!
This route is based entirely in the town centre and is walkable from both the Bolton bus interchange and the train station, making this itinerary accessible to over two million people across Greater Manchester. Trains from Manchester city centre to Bolton take just 20 minutes.
Bolton Museum
Recently named as the best free museum in the UK in a 2025 list compiled by Goldco and as a Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice 2025 award-winner, Bolton Museum has something to offer all ages. The dinosaur skeleton hanging from the atrium and the Egyptian mummies are instant attention-grabbers, while local history displays offer the chance to learn more about Bolton’s rich heritage.
The museum also contains Greater Manchester’s only public aquarium (also free!), which is exclusively home to freshwater fish, making it one of the most unique aquariums in the UK. Time it right and you can help to feed the fish.
Le Mans Crescent – “Hollywood of the north”
Bolton Museum is located in Le Mans Crescent, and we’d recommend strolling along the crescent before heading to the next destination. Often referred to as the most architecturally beautiful street in the North West, it has become one of the most utilised filming locations in Greater Manchester, earning Bolton’s reputation as the “Hollywood of the north”. Fans of Peaky Blinders, Happy Valley or Fool Me Once might recognise particular spots, and you can even do a walking TV and film tour to get a closer look!
Award-winning parks
The nine-times Green Flag awarded Queen’s Park is just a 15-minute walk or five-minute bike ride from the museum. The 22-acre Victorian park is home to a riverside nature trail, a large children’s play park, ornamental gardens and an outdoor gym, so is perfect for burning off some energy after a morning at the museum. Grab some lunch at the Queen’s Park Café or enjoy a picnic in the gardens.
Even closer is Elizabeth Park, just a two-minute walk from the museum, which was recently recognised for its design excellence after opening last year. Visitors here can pop across the road to the Bolton Market Food Hall, a vibrant foodie paradise that was also new to the town centre last year. With a wide variety of street food on offer, there’ll be something to please even the fussiest of eaters!
Market Place
If the weather isn’t playing ball, Market Place is a five-minute stroll from Bolton Museum. Head underground to the restored Victorian basement which now boasts a range of activities for all ages and places to eat and drink, all in a unique setting.
Here you’ll find a jungle-themed adventure play area, an 18-hole mini golf course, and a gaming vault, which has everything from retro games to VR headsets and roller-coaster simulations.
Bolton Food and Drink Festival
If you’re in town over August bank holiday weekend, the Bolton Food and Drink Festival is taking place across the town centre. Running from 22nd-25th August, the award-winning four-day event returns with street food, live performances, and demos from top celebrity chefs, including Marco Pierre White.
It’s kid-friendly too, with dedicated children’s activities including creating snacks with Classroom Kitchens, nature play tables, arts and crafts, story-telling and a giant sandpit. The festival is free to enter and many of the activities are also free.
Theatre
Time your trip into town on a day when there’s a show on at one of Bolton’s multiple town centre theatres, which between them offer a variety of comedy, music, drama, dance and pantomimes. Family-friendly highlights this summer include the Miss Rachel Experience and The Little Mermaid, both on at the Victoria Hall.
