Bolton Wanderers – Toughsheet Community Stadium

Complete Travel Guide

⚪ ABOUT THE TOUGHSHEET COMMUNITY STADIUM

The Toughsheet Community Stadium (formerly the Reebok Stadium, Macron Stadium, and University of Bolton Stadium) is one of English football’s finest modern stadiums, home to Bolton Wanderers since 1997. Located in Horwich, approximately 4 miles west of Bolton town centre, this 28,723-capacity all-seater stadium replaced the legendary Burnden Park, where Bolton played for 102 years.

The University of Bolton Stadium was one of the pioneering new-build stadiums of the 1990s and set the benchmark for modern football grounds. Built at a cost of £35 million, it features four distinctive steep single-tier stands that create a brilliant atmosphere and excellent sightlines from every seat. The Stadium has hosted everything from Premier League football to international matches, boxing world title fights, and major concerts. The approach to the Stadium through the surrounding retail park doesn’t quite match the romantic urban settings of older grounds. Still, once inside, you’re in a proper football stadium with genuine character. This is Bolton through and through.

Bolton Wanderers – The Trotters – are one of English football’s founder members and most historic clubs, established in 1874 as Christ Church FC before becoming Bolton Wanderers in 1877. Bolton are founding members of the Football League (1888) and have won the FA Cup four times (1923, 1926, 1929, 1958), including the first-ever Wembley final in 1923 – the famous ‘White Horse Final’ attended by an estimated 200,000 people with crowds spilling onto the pitch! Bolton spent decades in the top flight during the post-war era and again during the 2000s Premier League years, featuring players like Jay-Jay Okocha, Youri Djorkaeff, Ivan Campo, Gary Speed, and Kevin Davies.

The club’s famous white shirts with navy blue trim have been worn by legends like Nat Lofthouse (the ‘Lion of Vienna’), an England striker who scored 30 international goals and spent his entire career at Bolton. The fierce Greater Manchester rivalries against Wigan Athletic and traditional Lancashire derbies against Blackburn Rovers and Preston North End create intense matchdays. Bolton Wanderers represents the working-class heritage of Lancashire football and FA Cup glory.

📊 STADIUM SPECIFICATIONS

🚗 GETTING TO THE TOUGHSHEET COMMUNITY STADIUM

The Toughsheet Community Stadium is located in Horwich, approximately 4 miles west of Bolton town centre and about 15 miles northwest of Manchester. The Stadium is accessible by train (change required), bus, taxi, or car. Note that there is no direct train service to the Stadium – you’ll need to get to Bolton or Horwich Parkway stations, then take a bus or taxi. Many away fans opt to drive, as the Stadium has excellent parking facilities and is well connected via the M61 motorway.

🗺️ STADIUM LOCATION MAP

Toughsheet Community Stadium Address: Burnden Way, Horwich, Bolton, BL6 6JW

🚂 BY TRAIN – Requires Connection

There’s no direct train service to the Stadium. Your options are:

Train Times & Tickets:

• National Rail Enquiries: 03457 48 49 50 or nationalrail.co.uk
• Book in advance for the best fares (Advance tickets are often much cheaper!)
• Bolton Station is well-served from across the UK via Manchester
• Remember to factor in bus connection time from Bolton Station (allow 30-40 mins total)
• Check return train times before the match – last trains can be early evening!

🚌 BUS FROM BOLTON TOWN CENTRE/STATION

Bus services connect Bolton town centre and station to Middlebrook Retail Park (adjacent to the Stadium):

Buses stop at Middlebrook Retail Park. From there, it’s a short walk to the Stadium. Services run frequently on matchdays. For times: tfgm.com (Transport for Greater Manchester)

🚗 BY CAR – Excellent Access & Parking

The Toughsheet Community Stadium is one of the easiest stadiums to reach by car in English football, with excellent motorway access and ample parking. The Stadium is located just off Junction 6 of the M61 motorway.

Directions:

• From the South/East (M6): M6 to M61 northbound, Exit at Junction 6, follow signs for Horwich/Middlebrook, Stadium is signposted
• From the North (M6): M6 to M61 southbound, Exit at Junction 6, follow signs for Horwich/Middlebrook
• From Manchester: A580 (East Lancs Road) westbound, then A6 north towards Bolton, join M61 at Junction 5, then Junction 6
• From Preston/M61: Exit M61 at Junction 6, follow stadium signs

Stadium Parking:

🚕 BY TAXI

Taxis are readily available from Bolton town centre and station to the Stadium:

• Bolton Station to Stadium: £8-12, 10-15 minutes
• Bolton Town Centre to Stadium: £8-12, 10-15 minutes
• Horwich Parkway Station to Stadium: £6-8, 5-10 minutes
• Manchester to Stadium: £30-40, 25-30 minutes (expensive but direct option)

Recommended Taxi Companies: Street Cars Bolton (01204 522522), Bolton Taxis (01204 363636), or use Uber/local cab firms. Book return taxis in advance for after the match – demand is high!

🏨 WHERE TO STAY IN BOLTON

Bolton offers decent accommodation options ranging from budget chains to comfortable hotels. Bolton town centre is your best bet for atmosphere and nightlife, while Horwich/Middlebrook (near the Stadium) offers convenient modern chain hotels. Manchester (15 miles away) provides a broader choice but adds travel time.

💰 BUDGET ACCOMMODATION (£40-70)

🏨 MID-RANGE ACCOMMODATION (£70-120)

⭐ UPMARKET ACCOMMODATION (£120+)

🍺 FOOD & DRINK IN BOLTON

Bolton town centre offers the best choice for food and drink before the match – traditional pubs, curry houses, and local favourites. The Middlebrook retail park near the Stadium has chain restaurants but limited atmosphere. Many away fans head to Bolton town centre first, then travel to the Stadium closer to kick-off.

🍺 PUBS & BARS

🍽️ RESTAURANTS & FOOD

🎯 THINGS TO DO IN BOLTON

Bolton is a proper Lancashire mill town with industrial heritage, beautiful moorland on the doorstep, and surprising cultural attractions. It’s not a tourist hotspot, but there’s enough here to fill a weekend – especially if you combine it with Manchester (15 miles away). Bolton’s working-class heritage and stunning surrounding countryside make it enjoyable beyond just the football.

🏛️ ATTRACTIONS & ACTIVITIES

🎭 THE BOLTON EXPERIENCE

⚽ THE MATCHDAY EXPERIENCE

💭 FINAL THOUGHTS

Visiting the Toughsheet Community Stadium is experiencing one of English football’s finest modern stadiums at a club with genuine historical significance. Bolton Wanderers are founding members of the Football League (1888) and four-time FA Cup winners, including the first-ever Wembley final in 1923 – the legendary ‘White Horse Final’ where an estimated 200,000 people somehow crammed into the Stadium with crowds spilling onto the pitch!

That match between Bolton and West Ham is part of football folklore. Bolton’s famous white shirts have been worn by club legend Nat Lofthouse (the ‘Lion of Vienna’ who scored 30 England goals and spent his entire career at Bolton), and during the 2000s Premier League era featured brilliant players like Jay-Jay Okocha, Youri Djorkaeff, Ivan Campo, and Gary Speed. The Toughsheet Community Stadium (opened 1997) is genuinely excellent – steep single-tier stands create a brilliant atmosphere and offer perfect sightlines from every seat. This is proper Lancashire football heritage in a fantastic modern stadium.

But Bolton itself offers more than just football. This proper Lancashire mill town has fascinating industrial heritage (Bolton Steam Museum is brilliant!), beautiful historic buildings (Smithills Hall dates from 1335!), one of Britain’s oldest pubs (The Man & Scythe has been serving since 1251!), and absolutely stunning moorland countryside on the doorstep. Winter Hill and Rivington Pike offer spectacular walks with views across Lancashire that are genuinely breathtaking on clear days.

Bolton Market Hall (rebuilt 2016) is excellent, the Bolton Museum’s Egyptian collection is surprisingly good, and you’re only 15 miles from Manchester if you fancy combining your away day with big-city attractions. The local speciality is pasties from Ye Olde Pasty Shoppe (since 1958) – proper meat-and-potato pasties are a Bolton tradition. Rajdoot Tandoori (established 1966) is a legendary Northern curry house. Bolton combines working-class industrial heritage with beautiful countryside and genuine character.

The logistics are straightforward – Bolton Station has good connections from across the UK (Manchester 20 mins, Preston 30 mins), then it’s Bus 125 to Middlebrook Retail Park (15-20 mins, every 15-20 mins, £2-3) or a taxi (£8-12, 10-15 mins). Many away fans drive as the M61 Junction 6 is right next to the Stadium, and parking is plentiful (though arrive early as it gets busy!). Our advice? Get to Bolton early, visit The Man & Scythe pub (genuinely historic!), grab a pasty or curry, maybe explore Smithills Hall or the museum if you have time, then head to the Stadium.

The Middlebrook retail park next to the ground has chain restaurants if you prefer eating near the Stadium. The Toughsheet Community Stadium offers excellent away-day facilities – modern, comfortable, and with good views. After the match, head back to Bolton town centre or push on to Manchester for the evening!

Get the train to Bolton, explore this historic Lancashire town, sample a proper pasty, and experience one of English football’s finest modern stadiums!

⚪🔵 Come On Wanderers! ⚽

📞 USEFUL CONTACTS

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