News Beat
Turton Tower likened to Dickens’ novels with Victorian event
Each year, the tower and hall open up their doors from March to October, Wednesday to Sunday.
However, in the spirit of Christmas, visitors are treated to a yearly sneak peek behind the doors of the hall as it would have been back in the festive times of the 1800s.
With the hall’s ground floor open for the public to walk around freely and see a glimpse into the past, the site feels like stepping into Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.
The friendly volunteers work effortlessly to put up several Christmas trees, decorate the winter plants and hang a garland from every surface possible.
There’s even a mock festive feast laid out, with some surprising features on the menu.
With a hog’s head, a tray of fish and about all the bread you could need, it certainly would have made for a hearty meal.
This year, two local ukulele bands, Ukes Like Us and Ukes Together, joined forces to strum some of the Christmas classics in the main entrance of the hall.
Visitors crowded around the Bolton Music Service bands and even joined in on some of the singing.
The hall later welcomed Christmas bell ringers, too.
The volunteers were also on hand to direct people through the home, which dates back to the 1400s in some parts of the structure.
They also made sure guests knew about the cosy cafe round the back of the hall, which has a section of inside and outside seating and serves a range of hot and cold drinks and food, as well as seasonal and classic bakes.
Turton Tower sits on the edge of Bolton and Blackburn with Darwen, with visitors from both boroughs frequenting the site.
It also sees year-round visits from dozens of schools, helping to educate children on the history of the area.
It is also a scheduled ancient monument and a Grade I listed building.
The event is held annually, and the hall remains open to the public tomorrow (December 6), with free entry for visitors.
