Bolton Museum & Aquarium
With a National Art Pass you get
Bolton Museum offers Egyptian artefacts, local history, art, and Greater Manchester's only public aquarium.
A treasure trove of history, art, and nature housed within a grand civic centre, this multifaceted institution offers something for everyone, whether you want to delve deeper into local or family history, or you’re simply looking for a fun day out.
Diverse collections
The museum boasts a wide-ranging collection encompassing local history, botanical and geological displays, fine and decorative art and an Egyptology section which includes a full scale replica of Thutmose III’s burial chamber.
Greater Manchester's only public aquarium
Established in 1941, the aquarium is home to a diverse array of freshwater fish from around the globe, housed in tanks that are kept as close to their natural habitat as possible. Learn about the various species from Red-bellied Piranhas to the Pygmy Glass Danio, one of the smallest fish in the world. The aquarium also cares for two species of fish which are now extinct, the Pinstripe Damba and the Paretroplus damii both from Madagascar.
Family-Friendly Activities and Events
The museum is family-friendly with interactive exhibits, plus events and activities throughout the year, making it a great place for a fun and educational day out with kids.
The museum’s galleries are accessible, and there is a social story guide to visiting the Museum for visitors on the autism spectrum available here.
Visitor information
Address
Le Mans Crescent, Bolton, Lancashire, BL1 1SE
01204 332211
Opening times
The opening times for the museum and aquarium are:
Monday 9:00am - 5pm
Tuesday 9:00am - 5pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 5pm
Thursday 9:00am - 5pm
Friday 9:00am - 5pm
Saturday 9:00am - 5:00pm
Sunday 10:30am - 4:30pm
Exclusions and safety measures
The gallery is currently closed and the library and archive service are located in a different building while refurbishment works are being completed.
Visitor information
Museums nearby
The more you see, the more we do.
The National Art Pass lets you enjoy free entry to hundreds of museums, galleries and historic places across the UK, while raising money to support them.