Horwich

Horwich ( /ˈhɒrɪtʃ/) is a town and civil parish within the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, in Greater Manchester, England. It is 5.3 miles (8.5 km) southeast of Chorley, 5.8 miles (9.3 km) northwest of Bolton and 20 miles (32 km) northwest from the city of Manchester. It lies at the southern edge of the West Pennine Moors with the M61 motorway close to the south and west. According to the United Kingdom Census 2001, Horwich had a population of 19,312.

Historically within Lancashire, Horwich emerged in the Middle Ages as a hunting chase. Streams flowing from the moors were harnessed to provide power for bleachworks and other industry at the start of the Industrial Revolution. The textile industry became a major employer and after 1884 the construction of the railway works caused the population of the town to increase dramatically. The old industries have closed and regeneration has been led by out of town developments, particularly at Middlebrook, which, since 1997 has been the base of Bolton Wanderers football club, who play at the Reebok Stadium, having moved from Burnden Park near Bolton town centre.