Besides great sights, an interesting history and many exciting destinations, Westhoughton has a lot more to offer. Here you will find many helpful tips to enjoy your vacation in Westhoughton.
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Sights in Westhoughton
Westhoughton is a town in Greater Manchester, England, with a population of 29,310 at the 2011 census. Part of the Bolton Metropolitan Borough, Westhoughton was historically in Lancashire.
Westhoughton is built on the flat lands of Lancashire, between the West Pennine Moors and the Greater Manchester conurbation. The town has a total area of 11.29 square miles (29.2 km2).
The town’s name is AngloSaxon in origin, meaning “homestead of the West Saxons”. Westhoughton was recorded as Westeletun in the Domesday Book of 1086.
The town has a long history of coal mining, which was the main industry until the early 20th century. There are still several working coal mines in the area, although these are now owned by United Utilities and only used to supply water treatment works.
The first evidence of human occupation in the Westhoughton area is from the Mesolithic period, around 8,000 BC. Flint tools have been found in the vicinity of Chequerbent.
In common with much of Lancashire, Westhoughton was covered by shallow lakes until around 7,000 years ago when the landscape began to rise due to a combination of tectonic activity and shrinking of the lakes due to evaporation.
By the time of the Roman conquest in the 1st century AD, the area was inhabited by the Brigantes, a Celtic tribe. The Romans built a fort at Castleshaw, which was later occupied by the Saxons.
Westhoughton seems to have been incorporated into the AngloSaxon kingdom of Mercia by the 7th century. In the 10th century it was part of the Hundred of Salford, an administrative division of the county of Lancashire.
The Domesday Book of 1086 records that the manor of Westhou was held by Roger de Poitou, a Norman baron who also held extensive lands in other parts of England and France.
The manor remained in the de Poitou family for around a century, before passing to the deALbini family. In the 13th century it was acquired by the Earl of Lancaster.
Westhoughton was a largely agricultural community until the Industrial Revolution. The first coal mine was opened in 1760, followed by iron foundries, brickworks and various other industries.
The population of Westhoughton grew rapidly in the 19th century, from around 1,000 in 1801 to over 9,000 by 1901. This growth was largely due to the expansion of the coal mining industry.
The coal mines reached their peak in the early 20th century, when there were over 20 collieries in operation. The last coal mine in Westhoughton closed in 1966.
Today, Westhoughton is a largely residential town, with a mixture of private and public housing. The town centre has a variety of shops, pubs and restaurants.
There are several parks and open spaces in Westhoughton, including the 60acre (24 ha) Leverhulme Park, which opened in 1922.
The town is served by Westhoughton railway station, with regular services to Bolton, Manchester, Preston and Wigan.
There are a number of primary and secondary schools in Westhoughton, including the prestigious Westhoughton High School, which was rated as “outstanding” by Ofsted in 2010.
Westhoughton is twinned with the German town of Unna, in North RhineWestphalia.
History of Westhoughton
Westhoughton is a historic market town and civil parish in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester, England. Historically in Lancashire, it is situated 8 miles (13 km) northwest of Bolton, 10 miles (16 km) eastsoutheast of Wigan and 13 miles (21 km) westnorthwest of Manchester.
The town developed around milk, livestock and arable farming, coal mining and, later, textile manufacture. It was an early coal mining town; one colliery persisted until 1962. The first recorded mention of the town is in a charter of 1251 when it was still part of the neighbouring township of Over Hulton. By 1320 the town had become incorporated into the parish of WesthoughtonwithHultons and in the late 14th century it had its own chapel of ease.
By 1790 the town had about 1,800 inhabitants in 280 houses. Growth was mainly due to the expansion of the cotton industry, with several mills being built in the first half of the 19th century. The London and North Western Railway opened a branch line to the town in 1828 and by 1841 Westhoughton had a population of 3,311.
During the Industrial Revolution, Westhoughton became one of the most important manufacturing towns in Lancashire. Its population grew rapidly, reaching over 21,000 by 1901. The town continued to grow in the early 20th century, with several more mills being built. However, the town was badly hit by the collapse of the cotton industry in the 1920s and 1930s, leading to widespread unemployment.
Despite the decline of the textile industry, Westhoughton’s population continued to grow in the second half of the 20th century, reaching 35,000 by 1971. The town has now become a commuter town for both Manchester and Bolton.
Westhoughton has a long and rich history dating back to the 13th century. The town was an early center of the coal mining industry and later became an important manufacturing town during the Industrial Revolution. In recent years, Westhoughton has become a commuter town for both Manchester and Bolton.
Vacation in Westhoughton
Just outside of Bolton in Greater Manchester, you will find the historic town of Westhoughton. This hidden gem has a lot to offer visitors, from its fascinating history to its beautiful countryside setting. Here are just a few of the many reasons why Westhoughton should be at the top of your travel list.
First, a bit of history. Westhoughton has been settled since the Bronze Age and was even mentioned in the Domesday Book. The town has a long history of coal mining, which has left its mark on the landscape. You can learn all about this at the Westhoughton Heritage Centre, which is housed in the town’s old library. The museum tells the story of the town and its people through exhibits, photos, and interactive displays.
Next, Westhoughton is home to some of the most beautiful countryside in England. The town is surrounded by fields, forests, and rolling hills. This makes it the perfect place to go for a walk, have a picnic, or just take in the stunning views. There are also several hiking and cycling trails in the area.
If you’re looking for a more active vacation, Westhoughton has you covered. The town has its own golf club, as well as dozens of other sports facilities. There’s also a leisure centre with a swimming pool, gym, and sauna.
When it comes to food and drink, Westhoughton has something for everyone. There are several pubs and restaurants in the town, as well as a weekly market. You can find everything from traditional English fare to international cuisine. And of course, no visit to Westhoughton would be complete without trying one of the famous Westhoughton pies.
So, if you’re looking for a vacation that has something for everyone, be sure to add Westhoughton to your travel list. You won’t be disappointed.
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