Fantastic historical old hall. Self guided tours which go through the medieval to modern periods of the hall. Free entry, with great passionate and knowledgeable volunteers. Unfortunately the old cafe/restaurant has gone, but a chique mobile coffee/cake out on the rear grounds is open. Never massively crowded, good car park to the front with overspill available outside the front gates in the estate grounds. Some bad roads on approach to the hall, and some nasty speed bumps for those with low cars, expect to do the diagonal.

A magnificent hall with plenty to see for the public. The history, brilliant craftsmanship and interesting information is provided along the way. You could easily spend a good few hours - looking around the hall itself, the gardens and surrounding woodland too. Gemma and Steven who greeted me upon arrival were lovely and their knowledge of the hall (and surrounding historic halls too!) was very useful and fascinating. I will certainly be making a return and v much look forward to it. Many thanks 10/10

Sep 2022 Like so many places in Lancashire this beautiful and historic building is seriously under-marketed. It is superb. We had a tour with guide Pat who was extremely friendly and knowledgeable . Just what you want. We weren't rushed and we learned a lot, and we went round on our own afterwards as well because there is so much to take in. The room presentations were great. The house and its history are fascinating. The grounds are lovely too. I definitely recommend you visiting this remarkable historic Hall.

Looks like it will be a really interesting place to go round. We only had time for a hot drink in the gardens

Free entry. beautiful museum house. also has extensive gardens and a farm. the farm has a farm shop. there is a tea room on site with a very extensive menu of drinks, full meals, children's meals, fancy sandwiches, desserts, alcohol, cakes. expect to spend around £15 per person. meals around £13. food is extremely fresh and well prepared, even the scones are home made. would recommend a full day if you have kids. the house visit is around 1 hour. the walk around outside maybe 30mins. the farm visit maybe 1 - 2 hours.

Beautiful Local History, Buildings and Grounds... this was a Beautiful Walk on Christmas Eve, 🎄, very Seasonal 🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎁🎁🎁🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄Wrap up warm, Boots as it is very Wet & Muddy... Enjoy 😉 Russ...

We were beginning a walk from Smithills Hall and were pleasantly surprised. The gardens are lovely, there is a small picnic area outside where we sat and had a coffee and there is a lot of history to the house. Inside the house there is plenty to look at and read. This isn’t a full day experience, but a lovely place to stop at for an hour or two, explore and have a spot to eat. Oh! Also it is free to enter, which is always great.

Parked past the ice cream place near private road Back path that leads to trail around the back of smithills hall Lots of greenery Bought ice cream from cafe Delicious !

If you're in the area then go here . We were expecting a museum, but this was much better. The older parts of the building were excellent. Mind you there is so much history to read about, We spent more time than we had expected. Will go again if we are in the area.

Walk to hear & got toastie & coffee from cakery van, was very nice but relish a bit sweet would be nicer just cheese & onion

Amazing place, the Chapel dates back to 789 ad! 40 generations! Lovely surrounding countryside🌳☺

Lovely stunning walk which you can mix and match how far or wild you want to go. Also a few surprises every time I go. My beagle loves it here! Update 2022. Still one of our favourite places and no matter how many times we go, the walk never gets old!

Absolutely stunning place if you love old gothic/Victorian buildings. This place is FREE Admission to have a little walk around the building and the gardens. Some parts are dated back to the 1300s! Absolutely beautiful place and they also have a tea room for refreshments and a bite to eat to sit in or out. Lovley hidden gem and surrounded but the countryside.

Lovely museum free of charge. From outside the house is absolutely impressive and huge, inside there are less rooms to visit including Great Hall, chapel and solar room. Well preserved journey through the eras.

Great staff , well presented tour. Watched a play of A Christmas Carol , was fantastic 👏

Stunning hall worth the visit. Entrance is free but you can leave a donation. Stacked full of history. Staff are really friendly and helpful. Access to the lower floors is quite good. Plenty of information boards

Excellent, lovely place for a walk, somewhere to have a drink and something to eat from a pleasant young man great for all ages.

After living in the Bolton area all my life ,visited today for the first time had a great experience.

Lovely hall and woodland, could do with a little more signage but beautiful once you get your bearings.

Lovely old building and the gardens are great for a stroll with the dog.

Very interesting guided tour. Especially the footprint under the glass. Sun on stained glass beautiful.

Beautiful historic hall extended in stages over several centuries from a 16th century medieval hall and chapel with later additions of tudor and victorian wings. Free entry to the museum with many rooms open to public viewing and lots of information boards detailing its history and owners. Nicely tended gardens surrounded by woodland walks and a hidden away waterfall. And Smithills Open Farm and ice cream shop is just 5 minutes walk away.

My two friends and I visited today and, although it was not something we had requested, the gentleman at reception gave us a little tour around the building. He was really nice and knowledgeable, and we loved how he toured us in his own time. Can't wait to try and get a place on a ghost tour next year.

Great house to visit with more to it than I expected for a place to visit for free. Some rooms are made up with period furniture, others with information boards about the place. The gardens are rather nice also but only briefly walked around them because of the rain being to the point you would require gills outside 🐟

Really enjoyed our visit to A Christmas Carol...a small group of 50 in a great location full of atmosphere and fun.thank you to the players they were great. A really well organised event.top marks Smithills Hall staff.

Beautiful house with lovely gardens and great coffee from the Cakery. Fabulous walks nearby and parking.

Brill place but wonderful farm and smithels hall do reguler events for children.disabilitys in my photos the bubbels lady was one of them only critidisim was the event got put on fb and cars were cramed in and you couldnt get out of place to point my mums husband had direct trafic in out get it moving again so lots children.with aditional needsgot to overwelmed and ppl complained no coffeeour tea so went else were shame realy as was packed out but this was one of just please dont post fb again to avoid above thanks 👍

It's interesting to see the different stages of age the building goes through from 1400 to Victorian times and the gardens are lovely with the waterfall. We spent 40minutes here and considering it's parking and entry are free if you are near you differently should visit .

Picturesque farm and grounds, lovely place to visit and great for an afternoons walk

Visited as a family to the 'Father Christmas experience' event, which was truly magical. By chance, it had snowed in the local area so the grounds and hall were a winter wonderland. The efforts of the staff were brilliant which helped make the day extra special. Children could take part in the Candy Cane Trail, write and post letters to the North pole, play with toys, partake in the Elf story time and meet Father Christmas. The food, atmosphere and service in the cafe was superb! Would definitely visit again.

I wasn't expecting much but I really enjoyed my visit here. I visited on a cold, wet December Friday and the heating wasn't working but there was a warmth about the place, arising, I think, from the wonderful staff and the ancient timbers and stones. The building has evolved over nearly 700 years and there is interest in every room. I especially enjoyed the great Hall and the panelled dining room. The restaurant is excellent and justifiably popular. I was grateful that they fitted me in on a busy day and very much enjoyed the light lunch I had.

Unique place to look around. And free but worth giving a small donation. In large grounds for children to play and walks with dogs. There is a cafe for food and it looked nice we didn't try anything.

Lovely sunny day. Needing somewhere to go, Smithiĺs Hall was recommended, what a day. Free parking, free entry, very interesting, guide for the kids, house is very interesting, gardens are great for walking, woodland walk is smashing, cafe is great, staff are lovely. WHAT'S NOT TO LIKE. Check opening times and enjoy a great day at Smithills Hall. When our grandchildren are up from London next, they are in for a treat.

didnt really see a lot of the hall, due to it being on a ghost hunt at night, but will definitely be returning in the day time, to see it properly, the furniture looked stunning with all the carvings

Lovely place to have a walk round or have a picnic.

It is an amazing building full of history surrounded by beautiful gardens, worth a visit.

Beautiful grounds to walk round. Unfortunately when I visited the house was closed but utterly didn't spoil the trip

What an amazing, historic building inside and out. Our town holds alot of history around this building. It also has a neighbouring farm and petting zoo next door. Great place to take the family on days out.

Always a joy to walk around in this place that is steeped in Bolton history. Beautiful home and museum. Lots to see and do. Also a big thank you to all the volunteers who maintain the grounds and house.

Nice walking areas short & long distances. The hall has good displays and better than I expected. Tea room serve nice soup, sandwiches and cakes.

Enjoyed our visit to Smithills Hall & the gardens well worth a visit! It's free Bolton Council should charge a fee because its definitely worth it! I will be visiting the Hall again.

Great local hall, full of character 👍

Relaxing, beautiful garden. The museum is interesting aswell. Plus point, it's really close to the town centre. A must go

A nice place to visit especially if you can get a guided tour. Plenty of open grounds outside for kids to play and easy access to smithills forest.

Lovely building in nice surroundings

Beautiful grounds well maintained. One of my favourite spots to visit.

Beautiful place to explore and walk round

Was closed but an absolutely beautiful building

Historic

Excellent old traditional place

Really enjoyed my time at Smithills Hall,

Long walks.

Lovely building and grounds

it was a realy good day and a nice long walk

Very historic place nice gardens,,and I believe it's haunted

Lovely afternoon tea. The tearoom was exceptionally clean.

My favorite place and it's on my doorstep helping me through this pandemic ❤️✌️

Awesome

Very beautiful and quiet today in the early morning.

Went to Poppins. Always nice. Unfortunately just learned they have closed.

Proper loose leaf tea and delicious bacon and brie sandwich with fresh garnish. The afternoon tea bsing served on our neighbour's looked very enticing

Great place for a childrens party, friendly staff and lots to do

A lovely walk round the grounds on the Elf hunt....where are numbers 6 and 8 though lol?

Great place, loved it. Love the smells and old woodwork. Grounds kept tidy as well

Lovely gardens to walk round, the Hall and Museum isn't open yet due to Covid.

Most beautiful walk I've been on so far! So many paths to go down now everyone is planning to go at some point

What an interesting place and free entrance fee. Finish off with a gorgeous afternoon tea. Definitely worth a visit!

If your an adult looking for a gantasic place to walk around and or sit and unwind and take in the view then it's great. If you have a young family your choices to entertain them are limited to say the least. However I loved it. Blanket on the grass and relax.

We had an amazing day seeing all the animals, great time in pets Corner too.. so happy the snake doesn't come around anymore!

Lovely place for an early morning walk with the family.

Fabulous morning spent at Smithills. Well worth a visit, beautiful.The Chapel is gorgeous

Superb

A wonderful old building, steeped in history & situated in lovely countryside. Been coming here for 40 years, love it!

Had afternoon tea, it was lovely

Great venue for a bit of lunch. Great range of afternoon teas with different combinations of savouries and sweets. Excellent food. Great service.

Great place to visit, we comes here several times a year 👍

The cafe is very popular, good value and excellent service. Recommended

My dog's love it! There's plenty of parking, between the halls many garden paths through the woods to the fields or farm then back for tea and biscuits.

Lots of interesting history and a bit spooky! Watch out for George marsh!

Great place to visit for walks and a coffee!

Smithills Hall Bolton is well worth a visit another little gem in Bolton you wouldn't expect to find beautiful in summer Lodge Gardens plus farm and nice tea rooms

(Translated by Google) Very nice site to visit, the place is historic, the eras are clearly visible in the architecture of the leagues. The gardens are large and are surely interesting to visit as soon as the vegetation is reborn (I was there in February) with its bodies of water and its vast grounds. (Original) Très jolie site à visiter, l'endroit est historique, les époques sont bien visibles dans l'architectures des lieues. Les jardins sont grands est sont surement intéressants à visiter dès que la végétation renaît (j'y étais en février) avec ses plans d'eau et ses vastes terrains.

Lovely settings, great service and high quality. Absolutely loved it +++

Wonderful one must see

Nice place to visit for weekends.

Good outdoor roaming facility. Seems to need a few more directions/signs along the trails though.

Wonderful place to relax

Lovely afternoon tea at poppins tea room.