Local Information for Bolton Bolton has a population of over 260,000 people and is located in the Greater Manchester area but is traditionally part of Lancashire, in the north west of England and is the second largest town in the UK, The origins of its name "Bolton-le-Moors" is generally thought to derive from the words "Bolt", a type of arrow and "Tun", the Saxon word for town. A Bolt and a Crown are depicted in the coat of arms of the town. Tourism plays an important part of the local economy with places to visit such as Halli'th'wood, Smithills Hall, Rivington and Rivington Barn and The Last Drop Village with Leverhulme Park, Moss Bank Park and Queens Park all offering fun for all the family It is distinguished for its Victorian Architecture and excellent shopping with many visitors coming from other towns nearby to shop in Bolton. The town centre has indoor shopping malls with the Market Place with department stores such as Debenhams and Next, the adjoining Victorian Market Hall what is home to many independent stalls has clothing hardware pet shops bakery butchers and places to eat. Leading from Mealhouse Lane is Shipgates going into Crompton Place both having a wide variety of shops including Boots chemist. Bolton is well known for the traditional outdoor market on Ashburner Street which is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Friday and Saturday and has a car boot/flea market sale each Sunday, there is also an indoor market selling fresh friut and veg with fish and butchers stalls The Reebok Stadium Bolton's premiership Football Club Bolton Wanderers home ground is the Reebok Stadium, a magnificent and visually stunning 28,000 all-seater football facility built at a cost of £42 million. Bolton has its own modern university, "The University of Bolton", formally it was known as Bolton Institute of Higher Education, it gained University status in 2005 and has under gone extensive building work and growth. Bolton Beer Festival The Bolton Beer Festival is held at the Howcroft Inn, Bolton and is largest Pub Beer Festival in the country, there is a choice of over 200 beers on offer plus traditional ciders, draught lagers, spirits, wine and soft drinks to cater for all tastes. | 
