Bollington Discovery Centre

A compact heritage centre on the canal side at Clarence Mill, telling the story of Bollington from its farming past to its years as a cotton-spinning town. Children can explore displays on the mills, the Macclesfield Canal and everyday life for the people who worked in the town, and the centre hosts temporary exhibitions on local anniversaries and social history. Upstairs in the gallery there is a searchable picture archive of several thousand historic photographs, which can be fun for families looking at how streets and buildings have changed. The centre is staffed by volunteers and is small, so it suits a short, relaxed visit, especially for older children with an interest in history. Schools and groups can arrange visits outside the usual opening days. Trail guides for walks around the town can be picked up on the day, and the centre sells local books, maps and postcards.