Summary
Located north of Manchester, Bury is renowned as the home of black pudding; however, this town offers a diverse array of attractions beyond its culinary specialty.
Visitors, particularly meat enthusiasts, should prioritize sampling the award-winning black pudding at Bury’s historic market.
Moreover, a vibrant cultural scene awaits exploration at the Bury Art Museum and various live music venues such as the Met, which hosted one of Joy Division’s final performances.
Additionally, Bury’s picturesque Irwell Valley is traversed by the East Lancashire Railway, a steam railway that runs alongside remnants of 19th-century textile mills and villages that emerged during the Industrial Revolution.
Notable natives of Bury include Sir Robert Peel, a two-time Prime Minister, commemorated by a monument located on Holcombe Hill, overlooking the stunning West Pennine Moors.
Let us delve into the top attractions in Bury:
1. Bury Market
Frequently recognized as one of the finest markets in the UK, Bury Market has a rich legacy dating back to the reign of King Henry VI in 1444. It features a Market Hall and a Fish & Meat Hall, operating daily except Sundays, alongside a vibrant Open Market that runs on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
Notably, the market serves as a regional shopping hub characterized by its lively atmosphere, especially on Saturdays.
Shoppers can find an array of fresh produce, meats, cheeses, sweets, and a variety of exotic ingredients catering to Bury’s multicultural community.
Clothing, fabrics, accessories, cards, and floral offerings are also available for purchase.
For those seeking a taste of local traditions, stalls selling black pudding — a signature delicacy of Bury — and freshly baked hand-raised savory pies are a must-visit.
2. Fusilier Museum
Bury was historically the regimental town of the Lancashire Fusiliers, a British Army infantry regiment active from 1688 until 1968 when it merged with three other regiments.
This comprehensive museum provides valuable insights into significant historical conflicts spanning more than three centuries.
Interactive exhibitions showcase figures such as General James Wolfe and cover key events like the Battle of the Plains of Abraham (1759) and the Napoleonic Wars.
Military history enthusiasts will appreciate notable artifacts including a collection of books gifted by Napoleon to the 53rd Regiment during his exile on St. Helena, a uniform worn by Commander Robert Ross during the Washington raid in 1814, and seven Victoria Crosses, the highest honor for valor in the British Armed Forces.
3. East Lancashire Railway
The East Lancashire Railway operates on weekends year-round, with additional service during school holidays, covering a distance of 12.5 miles from Heywood to Rawtenstall.
Originating in 1846, the railway passes through Bury, making stops at Bury Bolton Street Station and Burrs Country Park.
This railway was once essential to the industrialized Irwell Valley, fostering the growth of towns centered around textile production.
The scenic voyage offers glimpses of lush valleys dotted with charming villages and remnants of ancient mills.
The railway also hosts themed rides, including a Real Ale Trail, a Tea Special, and a Flying Scotsman Diner, where visitors can enjoy a sumptuous four-course meal in the luxurious setting of a train carriage pulled by a renowned locomotive.
4. Bury Transport Museum
This Grade II-listed building, originally the Castlecroft Goods Warehouse constructed in 1846 for the East Lancashire Railway, has housed a remarkable collection of vintage vehicles since the 1970s.
Following its restoration in 2010, the museum displays an array of 19th-century steam tractors, buses, and trams.
Among the highlights is Hilda, a steam roller produced in 1921, which boasts a remarkable 50-year service history before being preserved.
Interactive displays illustrate the evolution of transportation in North West England during the 19th century, allowing visitors to experience driving a bus through a simulator.
Throughout school holidays, craft workshops encourage children to engage in role-playing as historic passengers, drivers, and conductors.
5. Peel Monument
Nestled in the West Pennine Moors near Ramsbottom, the Peel Monument stands tall upon a scenic vantage point.
This tower honors Sir Robert Peel, a prominent statesman born in Bury and twice a Prime Minister of the UK during the 1830s and 1840s, recognized for his enduring police reforms.
The Gothic Revival tower, rising 40 metres on Holcombe Hill, was completed in 1852, two years after Peel’s demise.
Visitors can enjoy stunning views over Greater Manchester, Cheshire, and even North Wales from the southeastern ridge of the West Pennine Moors.
Although the tower’s summit is accessible only on heritage days, the panoramic scenery is well worth the effort.
Additionally, a statue of Peel is located in Bury’s Market Place, complementing the monument.
6. Bury Parish Church
This striking example of Victorian neo-Gothic architecture has graced the town since 1876, situated at its highest point. Historical records indicate that a simpler wooden church existed on this site during Saxon times, while the initial stone Gothic edifice from the 16th century was dismantled in the 19th century.
Notably, the spire is a rebuilt segment of the older church, raised in 1842. The remaining structure was designed by James Crowther, featuring elaborate mosaic flooring and a hammerbeam tie-beam roof.
The church retains a remarkable 18th-century stone pulpit, crafted in memory of Roger Kay, the founder of Bury Grammar School.
The stunning stained glass windows are also noteworthy, designed by respected Victorian studios such as Hardman and Clayton and Bell.
7. Bury Art Museum
Established in 1901 following the donation of a substantial collection of over 200 paintings, prints, and ceramics by the children of paper manufacturer Thomas Wrigley, the Bury Art Museum has remained a significant cultural institution.
The museum showcases works by renowned artists like J. M. W. Turner, John Constable, and Edwin Landseer.
Subsequent additions feature works by George Clausen, Edward Burra, and the British abstract artist Victor Pasmore.
Moreover, visiting the adjoining Bury Sculpture Centre and seasonal exhibitions enhances the experience. For instance, in summer 2018, the Hayward Gallery touring exhibition titled ‘Shonky’ explored the concept of visual awkwardness.
8. The Met
The Neoclassical Derby Hall, established as a live music venue since 1979, has become integral to the Greater Manchester arts landscape, earning numerous awards over the years, including the title of Small Music Venue of the Year in 2017 (Northern Soul Awards). A tarih of Joy Division remains etched in memory, having performed here in April 1980, a concert that ended tumultuously in a riot due to the absence of lead singer Ian Curtis.
Two contemporary performance spaces feature a highly regarded folk music program, showcasing local and national talent.
The charitable organization managing The Met also curates the Head for the Hills Festival, an annual indie rock and pop event held in Ramsbottom every September.
Additionally, the venue hosts a diverse range of events, including comedy shows, spoken word performances, amateur theater productions, and children’s storytelling sessions.
9. Whitehead Gardens
This compact yet well-maintained formal park, located just a short distance from the town center, is dedicated to the memory of Walter Whitehead.
Born in Bury in 1840, Whitehead was one of the period’s leading surgeons whose innovative procedures became standard treatments.
The park features a decorative clock tower constructed shortly after Whitehead’s passing in 1913, surrounded by vibrant floral beds. This eclectic structure, made from white Portland stone, boasts intricate carvings, niches, corbels, and whimsical wolf-like gargoyles atop its four corners.
10. Bury Castle
Situated in Castle Square, adjacent to the Parish Church, lie the faint remnants of a fortified house, which once served as the stronghold of the Lords of the Manor of Bury and Pilkington.
Dating back to 1470, this structure was erected by Sir Thomas Pilkington. However, it met a swift demise as Henry VII ordered its destruction after Pilkington supported the defeated House of York during the Battle of Bosworth in 1485. By 1540, Bury Castle was classified as a ruin, with most of its stone repurposed for the burgeoning town in the 19th century.
Excavations in a space that was once a car park have uncovered remnants of the inner wall of the moat, which now forms part of a green space open since 2000. Visitors can find informational leaflets about the castle at the Bury Tourist Information Centre located within the Fusilier Museum.
11. Clarence Park
As the largest municipal park in Bury, Clarence Park is located in Moorside, approximately one mile from the town center.
Since its opening in 1888, the park has consistently received the Green Flag Award for its amenities and maintenance standards.
Visitors can enjoy stately lime tree avenues, playgrounds, well-kept lawns, and an aesthetically pleasing mock Tudor lodge located on Walmersley Road.
The northern section features a spacious lido, initially established for swimming in the 1960s but now used for model boating and angling activities.
A pathway encircles the lido, providing benches along the banks for a moment’s rest.
In the 1990s, the former pavilion of the lido was transformed into an activity center for seniors, and a short distance from the lake, visitors will find the Green Community Cafe, which opened in 2014.
12. Heaton Park
Located five miles down the Bury New Road, Heaton Park encompasses a vast municipal park situated within the grounds of Heaton Hall.
As the largest park in North West England, Heaton Park features numerous activities suitable for a full family day out.
The Neoclassical mansion was modified by James Wyatt in the 1770s and, while visually stunning from the exterior, is only accessible during special events.
The parkland itself, fully restored in the 1990s, contains several Neoclassical follies and lodges designed by either Wyatt or his nephew, Lewis.
Notable sites include the Grand Lodge, an impressive triumphal arch, and the Temple rotunda situated at the city’s highest point, providing views over the Heaton Park Golf Centre, which previously served as a deer park.
Other amenities include various golf courses, an animal center, horse riding stables, a boating lake, and the Heaton Park Tramway, which will be discussed next.
13. Heaton Park Tramway
Deserving of its own recognition, the Heaton Park Tramway operates a kilometre-long heritage line with vintage trams and railcoaches from the early 20th century.
This park was integrated into the Manchester Corporation Tramways network in 1903; however, the rise of buses during the 1930s led to its closure.
Revived in 1980, the Heaton Park Tramway runs on a portion of the original line, connecting Middleton Road and the Boating Lake.
Among the fleet is the distinguished Manchester Tram number 765, which dates back to 1914, with 16 additional vehicles undergoing restoration or on display in the depot.
Visitors can explore the tramway on Saturdays and also on Wednesdays during school holidays.
14. Jumbles Country Park
Although technically part of Bolton, Jumbles Country Park is located just a ten-minute drive from central Bury.
As you approach the southern edge of the West Pennine Moors, the landscape transforms dramatically.
Nestled in the Bradshaw Valley, Jumbles Country Park encompasses a water reservoir and was inaugurated by Queen Elizabeth II in 1971. The park features a scenic trail alongside the water and pathways meandering through woodlands on the valley slopes.
Wildlife enthusiasts may spot roe deer, sparrowhawks, or grey herons near the Ousel Nest Meadows along the reservoir’s southern shore, while the northern area is home to Turton Tower, a historic manor house dating back to the 1500s.
An information center and café are conveniently located next to the car park on the southeast bank.
15. Burrs Country Park
Burrs Country Park, an updated industrial site, was purchased by Bury Council in 1986. Previously, it was home to the Burr and Higher Woodhill cotton mills, and while many remnants of the industrial past were removed, some intriguing elements remain.
The site retains the waterwheel pit, the Burrs mill chimney, portions of the mill floor, and the feeder canal for the Elton Reservoir, all marked with detailed informational signage.
Spanning nearly 90 acres, this park features diverse landscapes including open fields, woodlands, ponds, and wetlands.
Visitors can embark on the Irwell Sculpture Trail for a cultural experience, while the park’s café at the visitor center has recently been renovated.
Burrs Country Park has consistently earned a Green Flag Award since 2005, and visitors can access the park via a halt on the East Lancashire Railway.
