Bolton Museum, Art Gallery & Aquarium

Sadie Pearson Last Updated 13 September 2023

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Bolton Museum, Art Gallery & Aquarium

Le Mans Cres, Bolton, BL1 1SE

Website

Monday9:00am - 5:00pm
Tuesday9:00am - 5:00pm
Wednesday9:30am - 5:00pm
Thursday9:00am - 5:00pm
Friday9:00am - 5:00pm
Saturday9:00am - 5:00pm
Sunday10:00am - 4:00pm

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

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A fantastic and varied day out, all in one place. Bolton Museum, Art Gallery and Aquarium is a great spot to while away a whole day!

From receiving its first collection of fossils, donated in 1853, the museum in particular has grown to house an important and eclectic collection. From textiles to taxidermy, Egyptology to antiques and much more, there is something to interest every visitor.

What's on near Bolton Museum, Art Gallery & Aquarium

Text reads The Memory of Water. A image of three women in black sitting by a coffin, two with cups of tea, one in the middle raising a wineglass

Until 21 Feb

TheatreBolton

The Memory Of Water at The Octagon Theatre

Three sisters, one bitter-sweet reunion – grief, whisky and buried truths collide in a sharply funny Northern family reckoning.

From £15.00

19 Jun

MusicManchester

Neil Young and The Chrome Hearts at Heaton Park

Neil Young is opening his 2026 UK and European tour in Manchester, stepping into Heaton Park with his newest band, The Chrome Hearts.

From £89.60

Until 12 Jun 2027

TourManchester

Brewery Tour and Tasting with Seven Bro7hers

Let Seven Bro7hers show you the place where the magic happens with a brewery tour and tasting at their Salford hub.

From £20.00

Spies, Lies and Deception Press Illustration

Until 31 Aug

ExhibitionsManchester

Spies, Lies and Deception at IWM North

Spies, Lies and Deception comes to The Quays, cracking open that window into the shady world of espionage and secret operations.

Free entry

17 Feb – 22 Feb

FamiliesMediaCityUK

Pinocchio at Lowry

Watch a playful, high-energy adaptation of Pinocchio where everyday objects become puppets and family relationships take centre stage.

Until 29 Mar

ExhibitionsManchester

The Guardians of Living Matter at Lowry

A new Lowry exhibition pitches us into 2076, where mycelium and AI entwine to ease the climate crisis together.

5 Feb – 7 Feb

TheatreMediaCityUK

Ockham’s Razor: Collaborator at Lowry

Ockham’s Razor return to Lowry with Collaborator, an intimate duet crafted and performed by artistic directors Alex Harvey and Charlotte Mooney.

Until 26 Sep

ExhibitionsMediaCityUK

Camille Walala: Square Eyes at Lowry

Lowry celebrates its 25th anniversary with a spectacular splash of colour from internationally renowned French artist Camille Walala.

Free entry

See all events

Where to go near Bolton Museum, Art Gallery & Aquarium

Bolton

Library

Bolton Library Theatre

Bolton Library Theatre is situated inside Bolton Museum, a public museum and art gallery, which is owned by Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council.

Bolton

Event venue

Albert Halls Bolton

A colonnaded neoclassical Victorian town hall, now hosting comedy, dance, music and pantomime shows, right in the heart of Bolton.

Bolton

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Octagon Theatre

Currently undergoing an exciting period of redevelopment, the Octagon Theatre Bolton makes nationally-regarded theatre with a strong focus on community.

Bolton

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The Victoria Hall

The Victoria Hall in Bolton is a beautiful entertainment venue which showcases theatre amongst much other live-entertainment.

Bolton

Theatre

Bolton Little Theatre

‘A vibrant amateur theatre company since 1931’, and a perfect venue for touring shows to visit.

Manchester

Shop

Miles & Moone

Miles and Moone is a handcrafted spirits company, specialising in high-end flavoured vodka.

Bolton

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FaMAS Art Gallery and Studios

FaMAS Studios is a Bolton based art gallery founded and managed by Bolton based award winning artist, Pete Marsh.

Manchester

University of Bolton Stadium

The University of Bolton Stadium in Horwich, Greater Manchester, England, is the home ground of Bolton Wanderers F.C.

Atherton

Restaurant

The Snug

The Snug is a grassroots live music venue in Atherton, serving fresh coffee, craft ale and a smart range of vegetarian and vegan dishes.

Manchester

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Listo Burrito

Listo Burrito on Manchester’s Oxford Street tempts busy diners with fresh ingredients and a modestly priced menu.

Tyldesley

Bar or Pub

Hop and Hazlewood

Hop and Hazlewood is a craft beer and gin joint in the heart of Tyldesley, a short trip out of Manchester.

Manchester

Park

RHS Garden Bridgewater

The spectacular RHS Bridgewater Garden in Salford has opened to the public and beckons outdoor enthusiasts of all ages.

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Culture Guides

Music in the North

We have an eclectic mix of gigs for you this month, moving from experimental electronics and noise rock to synth pop, opera, and hyper-local R&B.

Tours and Activities in the North

Step away from the usual. Tours and activities that spark curiosity, inspire creativity and offer something refreshingly different.

Emily Lloyd-Saini as Grace in Space and Harrie Hayes as Lieutenant Strong in Horrible Science

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Whether you’re after storybook theatre, museum wanderings or illusion-bending play spaces, there’s plenty to keep curiosity ticking through winter and beyond.

Exhibitions in the North

From monumental to minutiae, this month’s exhibitions trace power, care and community across galleries big and small.

Theatre in the North

Classic texts and new work meet in this month’s Theatre Guide, with a bumper crop of shows shaped by power, consequence and collective action.

Food and Drink in the North

Hear ye, hear ye. Take some eating-out tips from our wintertime guide to food and drink in Manchester and the North.

Cinema in the North

There's no shortage of great films out at the moment, whether you're looking for the latest blockbuster, that hot arthouse flick fresh from Cannes or a cosy classic.