Turton Tower  

Nr Chapeltown, 

5 miles north of Bolton.

Originally a fifthteenth century tower house, Turton Hall was modernised in 1596 by William Orrell. He raised the walls of the tower by ten feet to give greater headroom to each of the three storeys, added a timber framed porch and staircase tower, and extended the service wing behind.

His building schemes ruined the family's fortunes, and in 1628 his son was forced to sell the house to Humphrey Chetham, a Manchester merchant. In1835 the house was sold to local a mill owner, James Kay, who restored the house to its former glory - and more - using both old materials from the house and others brought in from elsewhere. The tower now contains a museum, which includes some attractive pieces of seventeenth century furniture, armour and weapons.

Entry charge.

Tel:01204 852203 for further details.