The Bolton canal walk where you can spot beautiful butterflies

But along a quiet stretch of canal in Little Lever, they’re impossible to ignore.

On warm summer days, colourful wings drift through the wildflowers at Nob End Nature Reserve, creating one of Bolton’s most spectacular free wildlife experiences just minutes from the town centre.

Running alongside the former Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal, the reserve has become a haven for some of Britain’s best-loved butterflies, from the striking peacock to the bright yellow brimstone, while dragonflies skim across the water and orchids bloom beneath them.

Peacock butterfly (Image: NQ)

It is a far cry from the area’s industrial past.

Nob End, close to the Meccano Bridge off Boscow Road, was once used for dumping waste from the local chemical industry.

(Image: NQ)

Yet the lime-rich ground left behind created something remarkably rare – a species-rich calcareous grassland that is now protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Today, that unusual habitat is one of the reasons butterflies thrive here.

During a recent Butterflies of Bolton walk organised by Groundwork Greater Manchester, visitors were treated to sightings of several species as they fluttered between the flowers lining the towpath.

Andrew spoke to the group about all types of species of butterfly (Image: NQ)

Among them was the peacock butterfly, instantly recognisable by the four colourful ‘eyes’ on its wings.

Those markings aren’t just for show either – they’re designed to startle hungry birds, while the butterfly can even make a faint hissing sound if disturbed.

This is almost certainly another Peacock butterfly with its wings closed (Image: NQ)

You may also spot the brimstone gliding through the reserve.

Its vivid lemon-yellow wings are so distinctive that many historians believe it inspired the word “butterfly” itself, while its clever leaf-shaped wings help it disappear when it settles among the trees.

The small tortoiseshell is another regular visitor.

Although common in gardens, it depends almost entirely on humble nettles during its caterpillar stage, proving that leaving patches of wild plants untouched can make a huge difference for wildlife.

In the shadier parts of the towpath, keep an eye out for the speckled wood.

Small Heath (Image: NQ)

Unlike many butterflies, it has flourished as Britain’s climate has warmed, extending its range across northern England over recent decades.

The butterflies are only part of the attraction.

Dragonflies patrol the canal throughout the summer, bees buzz between the wildflowers and rare orchids bloom across the grassland that has transformed this once-industrial landscape into one of Greater Manchester’s richest wildlife sites.

The route starts from Meccano Bridge on Boscow Road in Little Lever (BL3 1AB), , although it can also be reached from Moses Gate Country Park or by catching the 524 bus from Bolton town centre.

There is no admission fee, no booking required and no set route to follow.

All you really need is a warm, dry afternoon, a little patience and your eyes on the flowers.

With the summer holidays now under way, it might just be one of Bolton’s most underrated free days out.