Due to lockdown, we’ll bet that you’ve been spending increased amounts of time at your student accommodation in Bolton. But on 29th March, a tentative step was taken towards easing the lockdown restrictions – allowing a group of six people (or two households) to meet outside, including in private gardens.
Although holidays abroad are still banned – and pubs, clubs and restaurants will remain closed for a little longer – nothing is stopping you from exploring your local area. And with the West Pennine Moors and the summits of Rivington Pike and Winter Hill right on your doorstep, there are plenty of scenic routes to take in Bolton.
Here the team at Orlando Village – the only accommodation provider to be approved and recommended by the University of Bolton – has compiled a shortlist of some of the best walking trails in Bolton and the surrounding areas.
Best walks in Bolton
- Queens Park – enjoy a stroll around the traditional Victorian park, just a short walk from our private halls, Bolton rail station and bus interchange. No more than two miles long, you needn’t worry about getting lost as there’s a central walk with a pavilion and a system of joining straight and serpentine walks around the outside. There are several ponds and lakes around Queens Park too, as well as ornamental gardens and a bowling green.
- Leverhulme Park – offering a combination of grassland, play areas and woodland, Leverhulme Park is the largest park in the town – with a host of facilities on offer. These include a football pitch, running track, nature trails, cycle paths and more.
- Moses Gate Country Park – if you’re looking for a leisurely/moderate walk, be sure to visit Moses Gate. Located south of Bolton town centre, and easily accessible from Moses Gate and Farnworth rail stations, the large country park covers 750 acres and includes a variety of cycling and walking trails. The tarmacked pavements and stone surfaced bridleways lead you around stunning lakes and ponds – allowing you to do a spot of bird watching too.
- Smithills Country Park – approximately 3 miles from the centre of Bolton (just off the A58 Bolton Ring Road), Smithills Estate is a large country park that’s owned by the Woodland Trust and covers more than 1,700 acres. There are plenty of short routes to choose from but, if you’re wanting a longer walk, you can head to Winter Hill where you can see fantastic views of Bolton and Manchester.
- Historic Houses, Highest Hill – looking for a more challenging route? This is certainly one to consider. While there is a shorter 4 mile circuit (perfect for a leisurely walk), the full 8-mile walk will require good map-reading skills. You will start at the Medieval Manor House of Smithills Hall and make your way over high, rough terrain to the TV mast on Winter Hill. This reaches over 1,000 feet and is the highest hill in the West Pennine Moors.
- Jumbles Country Park – situated around 4 miles north of the town, Jumbles Country Park is a beautiful park with a reservoir. The walk around the reservoir is mostly flat and easy to follow and takes just over an hour to complete. There is also a café where you can buy light refreshments to take away, including an assortment of soft drinks, hot drinks and ice creams. Now that’s what we call motivation!
- Towers and Turrets – this is a 6-mile walk from the Last Drop Village Hotel and Spa complex – which stands high above Bolton on the edge of the hills – through the woods to the beautiful village of Chapeltown. Along the way, you’ll navigate towers and turrets and enjoy stunning views of two reservoirs (linked by a woodland gorge with a rippling stream) and the country house of Turton Tower.
- Two Faces of Rivington – have you brought your car to uni? If so, you’ll need it for this one as it is 6.8 miles from our private halls. If you’ve not, don’t panic, you can get to Lever Park Avenue by hopping on the bus. The southern loop is roughly 3 miles long and is easy to navigate along wooded tracks and paths, whereas the northern loop is 3.5 miles. This one takes you over more undulating terrain on the fringe of moorland and (on a clear day) offers views as far as the Clwydian Hills in North Wales. Of course, if you really wanted to smash your step goal, you could combine the two loops and do 6.5 miles!
…And the best bit? After exploring some of the town’s hidden gems, you get to kick back and relax at our fantastic student accommodation in Bolton. Our Bronze rooms are equipped with high-quality furnishings, including a single bed, desk, wardrobe and washbasin whereas our Silver rooms have a large ¾ bed.
What’s more is all our student accommodation in Bolton is offered on a self-catering basis, so you can make yourself a quick snack whenever you’re feeling hungry. And the chances are you’ll have worked up quite an appetite after spending so much time in the fresh air!
If you’re not already staying with Orlando Village, it’s not too late to secure your place for 2021/22. Just give us a call on 01204 903 488 and arrange a viewing today.