Bolton Museum, Aquarium and Archive
ENTRY
Free
SETTING
Indoors
WHERE
Bolton
What it’s like
Free museum with real Egyptian mummies, hands-on touch screens and local history, right in the middle of Bolton.
The mummies are the obvious pull here. Bolton's got a proper Egyptology collection and the art and Egyptology displays give kids something genuinely different to gawp at, not just another "please don't touch" museum. There are interactive touch screens dotted about too, set at sitting and standing height, so younger kids aren't stuck straining up at something built for adults.
It's free to get in, which makes it an easy one to slot into a wet afternoon without worrying about ticket prices for a toddler who might last twenty minutes. The local history displays add a bit of context if you're local or just curious about the town, though they won't hold a six-year-old's attention as long as the mummies will.
One thing to know before you go: the Nature Gallery, the animals, plants and minerals bit, is only partly open at the moment because of maintenance work. If your kids were hoping for stuffed animals and rock collections, you might find some of that shut off, so check what's actually on show isn't guaranteed to be the full lot.
Getting there without a car is straightforward, Bolton Interchange is about a ten minute walk with plenty of bus and rail links. If you are driving, there's free Blue Badge parking right on Le Mans Crescent, otherwise it's the Octagon NCP car park nearby. The building itself is wheelchair accessible from the main entrance, with accessible toilets and baby changing on site.
Facilities
Need to know
- Parking
- Free Blue Badge parking on Le Mans Crescent
- Wheelchairs
- Accessible main entrance, interactive touch screens at sitting or standing height, accessible unisex toilets
- Getting there by bus or train
- Bolton Interchange 0.4 miles away (10 minute walk), multiple bus and rail connections
- It's free entry, no booking needed as far as they say
- The Nature Gallery (animals, plants, minerals) is only partly open due to maintenance
- Blue Badge parking is free right outside on Le Mans Crescent
- Sunday hours are shorter than the rest of the week, 10am to 4pm
- There's a gift shop on site if you want a souvenir on the way out
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
It's free entry.
Do we need to book?
There's no booking link listed, so it sounds like you can just turn up.
What are the opening hours?
Monday to Saturday it's generally 9am to 5pm, though Wednesday opens slightly later at 9:30am. Sunday hours are shorter, 10am to 4pm.
Is the whole museum open?
Mostly, but the Nature Gallery with the animals, plants and minerals is only partly open right now because of maintenance.
Is there parking?
Free Blue Badge parking on Le Mans Crescent, and the Octagon NCP car park is the nearest option if you need general parking.
Is it accessible for wheelchairs and buggies?
Yes, the main entrance is wheelchair accessible and the touch screens are set at both sitting and standing height.
How do we get there by public transport?
Bolton Interchange is about a ten minute walk away, with a good number of bus and rail connections.
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