Harwood, Greater Manchester facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Harwood |
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 Harwood
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| OS grid reference | SD751113 |
| Metropolitan borough |
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| Metropolitan county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | BOLTON |
| Postcode district | BL2 |
| Dialling code | 01204 |
| Police | Greater Manchester |
| Fire | Greater Manchester |
| Ambulance | North West |
| EU Parliament | North West England |
| UK Parliament |
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Harwood is a lively area located just north of Bolton in Greater Manchester, England. It's right on the edge of Bury and is part of the North West region. Harwood also has a long history as part of the traditional county of Lancashire.
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Harwood's Past: A Look Back
Harwood has been around for a long time! Records show it was called Harewode way back in 1212 and 1302. In the Middle Ages, the land here, including nearby Bradshaw, was part of a large estate called a "fee" that belonged to the Grelley family.
Around 1212, this land was split between two families: the Samlesburys and the Harwoods. Over time, parts of the land changed hands many times. Important families like the Radcliffes and Bartons, who lived at Smithills Hall, owned land in Harwood for generations.
In 1612, a man named Sir Nicholas Mosley and his son sold the main part of Harwood to five local farmers, known as "yeomen." This shows how land ownership started to spread out among more people.
Back in 1666, a special tax called the "Hearth tax" was collected. It showed that 42 homes in Harwood had fireplaces, meaning they were big enough to be taxed. Most homes were small, with only one house having three fireplaces.
Later, in 1801, the "common lands" of Harwood were divided up. These were shared areas where everyone could graze animals or collect wood. After this, they became private property. A church, Christ Church, was built in 1840, and other churches for different Christian groups also appeared.
How Harwood Was Governed
For many centuries, Harwood was part of the historic county of Lancashire. From the early 1100s, it was a "township" within the larger church area of Bolton le Moors. This area was part of a bigger district called the "Hundred of Salford."
In 1837, Harwood became part of the Bolton Poor Law Union. This group was responsible for helping people who were poor or couldn't work. Later, in 1898, Harwood joined the Turton Urban District. This was a local government area that managed services for the people living there. Today, Harwood is part of the larger Metropolitan Borough of Bolton.
Exploring Harwood's Landscape
Harwood is located about 2.5 miles (4 km) northeast of Bolton. It sits in the beautiful West Pennine Moors, which are rolling hills and open countryside. The Bradshaw Brook river forms a natural border between Harwood and Tonge.
The area of Harwood covers about 1,240 acres (5 square kilometers) of hilly land. The highest point is Bowstone Hill, which is about 825 feet (251 meters) high, and the lowest point is around 300 feet (91 meters). In the past, stone was dug up from quarries here, and the local streams were used by factories that bleached cloth. The ground beneath Harwood contains coal measures, which are layers of rock with coal, along with sandstones and shales.
Today, Harwood is mostly a residential area, meaning many people live in homes here. Most of the shops and businesses are found around a large Morrisons supermarket in the center of the area. Nearby places include Affetside, Bradshaw, and Breightmet.
Harwood has several places to eat and drink, like the House Without a Name and the Seven Stars. There's also a medical center, a library, and a big park called Longsight Park. This park even has the Bolton arboretum, which is a collection of different trees. You can also find a small playground off Recreation Street. Many footpaths lead from Harwood out into the lovely West Pennine Hills, perfect for walks!
Getting Around Harwood
Harwood is well-connected by bus. The 507 bus runs from Bolton to Harwood. On weekdays, from Monday to Saturday, the 480 bus runs every hour between Bolton and Bury. This route goes through Bradshaw, Harwood, Affetside, and Tottington.
If you prefer trains, the closest railway stations are Hall i' th' Wood, which is a short walk away on the main road, and Bromley Cross, which can be reached by public footpaths in Bradshaw.
Learning in Harwood
Harwood has several primary schools for younger students. These include St Brendan's, St Maxentius, Harwood Meadows, and Hardy Mill. For older students, the popular secondary school for Harwood residents is Turton High School in Bromley Cross. Other nearby secondary schools include Canon Slade and Bolton St Catherine's Academy.
