Horwich

Horwich is a town in Greater Manchester, England, and part of the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton. It lies on the western edge of the West Pennine Moors, northwest of Bolton town centre. The town’s growth began in the 18th and 19th centuries during the Industrial Revolution, with textile production, engineering, and coal contributing to its expansion. A key element of Horwich’s industrial heritage was the Horwich Loco Works, a major locomotive factory that drew workers and helped shape the local economy for many decades.

In the postwar period, Horwich underwent residential development and diversification of its economy, while maintaining local services and community facilities. Today the town is primarily residential, with shops, schools, and parks serving residents, and it remains connected to Bolton and the wider region by road and rail networks. The area’s proximity to the West Pennine Moors provides opportunities for outdoor recreation, with nearby countryside areas such as the Rivington landscape accessible to residents and visitors.

Horwich supports a range of community institutions, clubs, and events that reflect its local character. Education is provided by several primary and secondary schools, and the town maintains local heritage through archives, local history groups, and museums connected to its industrial past.