Smithills Hall Museum

Smithills Hall Museum One of Bolton's original family homes, Smithills Hall is a Grade 1 listed building, full of history and drama. Free entry Entrance to the Hall is free.

Make a date with history and visit Smithills Hall Museum. Smithills Hall opened to the public as a museum in 1963 but its history dates back to the 14th century. Today much of the Hall has been restored to its original splendour and you can see rooms and displays from across the centuries. For wedding enquiries please contact Bolton Council's Registrars Department by calling 01204 331185 or emailing [email protected]

Our What’s On Guide is officially part of history!🪏We’re thrilled that it has been placed in a time capsule beneath one ...
25/08/2026

Our What’s On Guide is officially part of history!🪏

We’re thrilled that it has been placed in a time capsule beneath one of the historic Two Lads cairns on Smithills Estate, providing future generations with a glimpse of life in Bolton and Horwich in 2026. The capsule marks the restoration of the iconic cairns by The Woodland Trust.

Want to find out what's happening at Smithills Hall and the wider service? You can check out our What's On Guide on the website - https://www.boltonlams.co.uk/downloads/file/125/bolton-libary-and-museum-what-s-on-july-dec-2026

Made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with thanks to National Lottery players.

Throw back to a brilliant day at Smithills Hall with author Sally O’Reilly and her marvellous book, Hagtale : A Macbet...
09/08/2026

Throw back to a brilliant day at Smithills Hall with author Sally O’Reilly and her marvellous book, Hagtale : A Macbeth Origin Story

What book are you reading today? Let’s celebrate the joy of reading.


25/07/2026

🎭🎭 And that's a wrap on Shakespeare in the Gardens for this year... Not quite the weather we were hoping for but us Boltonians are a hardy bunch and the rain didn't keep anyone away!!

Thank you to everyone for a wonderful, if a little soggy, evening and thank you to the fabulous actors for ensuring that "the show must go on" regardless!!

See you all again next year?! 🎭🎭

🎭 Today is the day for the fabulous Shakespeare Double Bill with A Place For Us in the Gardens at the Hall✨ 🩷 Romeo & Ju...
25/07/2026

🎭 Today is the day for the fabulous Shakespeare Double Bill with A Place For Us in the Gardens at the Hall✨

🩷 Romeo & Juliet | 4pm SOLD OUT! ⚔️ Hamlet | 6pm
🎟️ Be quick if you'd like to join us:
• Only 4 tickets left for Hamlet
• Just 4 Double Bill tickets remaining (both plays). Tickets MUST be purchased in advance to guarantee entry to the event.

🍰 Bake & Roast will be open throughout, serving delicious treats from the famous Cake Hole, including:🧀 Mini Cheese & Nibble Boards🥐 Handmade Sausage Rolls🍿 Crisps & Popcorn🍦 Ice Creams🍷 Beer, Wine & Prosecco☕ Tea, Coffee & Soft Drinks

🧺 Feel free to bring your own picnic, camping chair, rug or blanket. Please note that tables are not permitted due to limited space in the gardens and to ensure everyone can enjoy the performance. Entry to the theatre space will be open from approximately 30 minutes before the performance, please do not try to reserve seats before this as any chairs/rugs will be removed.

🌦️ The forecast suggests there may be a few light showers, but the show will go on! Please bring suitable outdoor clothing or waterproofs. ☔ Umbrellas will not be allowed as they block the view for other audience members.

🛻Parking - please note that parking is limited directly outside the Hall. If you do not have any access needs, please use our overflow carpark which is located close to the left hand fork in the road and just a 2 - 3 minute walk from the gardens.

🎟️ If you'd like to join us and want to snap up those remaining tickets, please follow this link ✨https://www.ticketsource.com/whats-on?q=smithills+hall ✨

🎭 Coming to our Shakespeare Double Bill this weekend with A Place For Us? 🎭Why not make it a full day of Shakespeare?Joi...
23/07/2026

🎭 Coming to our Shakespeare Double Bill this weekend with A Place For Us? 🎭

Why not make it a full day of Shakespeare?

Join acclaimed author Sally O'Reilly in the atmospheric medieval surroundings of Smithills Hall for an afternoon of myth, mystery and the untold origins of Macbeth.

Sally will be discussing her latest novel, Hagtale: A Macbeth Original Story - a dark and lyrical reimagining of the tales whispered around winter fires, where wolf-children, witches and kings collide.

📚 Books will be available to purchase and have signed on the day.
📅 Saturday 25 July
🕑 2:00pm
📍 Smithills Hall
🎟️ Free to attend, but booking is essential
Book your place here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/author-talk-with-sally-oreilly-tickets-1987398356985?aff=oddtdtcreator

🎭 Just 3 days to go until our fantastic Shakespeare double bill with A Place For Us ✨🩷 Romeo & Juliet | 4pm SOLD OUT! ⚔...
22/07/2026

🎭 Just 3 days to go until our fantastic Shakespeare double bill with A Place For Us ✨

🩷 Romeo & Juliet | 4pm SOLD OUT! ⚔️ Hamlet | 6pm
🎟️ Be quick if you'd like to join us:
• Only 6 tickets left for Hamlet
• Just 8 Double Bill tickets remaining (both plays)

🍰 Bake & Roast will be open throughout the event, serving delicious treats from the famous Cake Hole, including:🧀 Mini Cheese & Nibble Boards🥐 Handmade Sausage Rolls🍿 Crisps & Popcorn🍦 Ice Creams🍷 Beer, Wine & Prosecco☕ Tea, Coffee & Soft Drinks

🧺 Feel free to bring your own picnic, camping chair, rug or blanket. Please note that tables are not permitted due to limited space in the gardens and to ensure everyone can enjoy the performance.

🌦️ The forecast suggests there may be a few light showers, but the show will go on! Please bring suitable outdoor clothing or waterproofs. ☔ Umbrellas will not be allowed as they block the view for other audience members.

🛻Parking - please note that parking is limited directly outside the Hall. If you do not have any access needs, please use our overflow carpark which is located close to the left hand fork in the road and just a 2 - 3 minute walk from the gardens.

🎟️ With Romeo & Juliet sold out and only a handful of tickets remaining for Hamlet, don't leave it too late to book! ✨https://www.ticketsource.com/whats-on?q=smithills+hall ✨

Join acclaimed author Sally O’Reilly this Saturday in the atmospheric medieval hall at Smithills for an afternoon steepe...
22/07/2026

Join acclaimed author Sally O’Reilly this Saturday in the atmospheric medieval hall at Smithills for an afternoon steeped in myth, mystery and the untold origins of Macbeth.

She’ll be discussing her latest novel Hagtale: A Macbeth Original Story — a dark, lyrical reimagining of the tales whispered around winter fires, where wolf‑children, witches and kings collide.

📚 Books will be available to buy and have signed on the day.

Saturday 25th July, 2pm
Smithills Hall
Tickets Free but must be booked via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1987398356985?aff=oddtdtcreator

New Writing North

Address

Smithills Dean Road
Bolton
BL17NP

Opening Hours

Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 12pm - 4pm

Telephone

01204 332377

Website

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