Smithills and Barrow Bridge Area Guide

The area of Smithills lies on the lower south facing slopes of the West Pennine Moors and north west of central Bolton. Smithills is widely considered a residential suburb featuring plentiful green spaces, though in actuality the area of Smithills is mostly an area of countryside, encompassing farmland, Smithills Country Park and Smithills Moor which covers many square miles of green land leading up onto the West Pennine Moors. This land boasts many scenic walking trails, from forest to hilly grassland.

Within Smithills is Smithills Hall - a beautifully preserved grade 2 listed mansion with manicured gardens and forestry land dating back to pre-medieval times. The historic hall is open to the public and internally features as a museum and cafe, and externally there are beautiful gardens in which you can stroll. Smithills Open Farm can be found to the north east of Smithills Hall and makes a great family day out in the summer months with a range of fun activities for children.

Smithills is also home to one of Bolton’s best family parks, Moss Bank Park, which you will find bustling through the summer months. The park features football pitches, tennis courts, a bowling green, several playgrounds for children of all ages, a café and plenty of green spaces for picnics and playing with the kids.

Barrow Bridge is an award-winning model village in the north westerly corner of Smithills. It was created during the industrial revolution and since the demolition of the mills it has been a quaint, picturesque village. The village has a river flowing through its centre with a waterfall which after heavy rain is seen with huge amounts of water gushing over its edge flowing down from up on the moors.