Middlebrook, Greater Manchester

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Middlebrook is the name given to a locality on the boundary between Horwich and Lostock, in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, in Greater Manchester, England.

Historically part of Lancashire, the name Middlebrook originally comes from the watercourse which starts at Red Moss, the one time marshland south of Horwich. Further downstream the Middlebrook joins with other tributaries and becomes the River Croal which runs through Bolton and eventually joins the River Irwell at Kearsley.

Today, however, Middlebrook is associated with a modern, out-of-town complex which, amongst other things, is home to Reebok Stadium, .

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] Etymology

The name Middlebrook (or Middle Brook) comes from the Old English words "mycel" and "broc" meaning "great brook". In 1292 the name was written "Mikelbrok" and over the centuries it became Middlebrook.[1]

[edit] Early history

Before the present Middlebrook site was built it was once farmland for Sefton Fold Farm, Horwich. The original 1666 timber-framed farmhouse was re-built in 1811. Before the buildings were demolished in 1996 a team from the University of Manchester's Archaeological Unit were given three weeks to complete their studies on the Sefton Fold Farm site. Through their excavations they found a moated site of late mediaeval origins. Within the farmhouse itself it was found there was an internal wall which looked it was once an external wall. It was also found that some pottery outside which is believed dates back to the late 1500s or early 1600s.

[edit] Development

When the developers moved on to the land, the historic site was partly covered by a large roundabout. The farmhouse's 1666/1811 date stone, the kitchen's 1860s cooking range and other items were saved and can be seen at Horwich's Heritage Centre.

The work to build the Middlebrook retail and leisure complex started in 1996 and by the end of the next year the site was up and running. At Middlebrook it contains the various retail shops and stores which is expected with an out-of-town site. In addition there is a twelve screened cinema, a ten-pin bowling alley, various cafés and restaurants, two hotels, and the Bolton Arena Sports & Leisure Complex.

At the centre of the site is the impressive Reebok Stadium, the home of Bolton Wanderers Football Club. This stadium was inaugurated on the 1st September 1997 with the first game between Bolton and Everton.

[edit] Establishments

[edit] Shopping Places

[edit] Leisure amenities

  • Hollywood Bowl
  • VUE Cinema

[edit] Eating out places

[edit] Hotel accommodation

  • DeVere Whites Hotel

[edit] Transport

By car the Middlebrook site is adjacent to Junction 6 of the M61 motorway, by train there is a regular service at Horwich Parkway railway station, there are also bus services with the 315, 505, 576, and 615.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Billington, W.D. (1982). From Affetside to Yarrow : Bolton place names and their history, Ross Anderson Publications (ISBN 0-86360-003-4).

[edit] External links

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