Ramsbottom

Situated in Metropolitan Borough of Bury, Greater Manchester, Ramsbottom is a quaint little market town that developed during the 19th century as a manufacturing and mill town on the road from Bury to Haslingden along the Irwell River. Known for its eateries, bars and its own brewery, Ramsbottom is a popular day-trip option from Manchester. If you are a lover of food or harvest festivals and are looking for something off the beaten track while on a holiday, you must attend the Ramsbottom Chocolate Festival. Started in 2008, this annual event promises to be a fun-filled family outing. Brainchild of Paul Morris, the owner of the Chocolate Cafe in the town, the festival is getting bigger and better each year. A chocolate themed street adorns the town during this festival with scores of stalls selling specially curated chocolate by artisan chocolatiers. The atmosphere is lively and cheerful replete with street entertainment, food stalls highlighting local cuisine and children's play area. With innovative ideas each year, the focus of the event is a winning combination of family fun and high quality chocolate. All this has made the festival one among the top ten best chocolate festivals in Europe.

Ramsbottom is a little less than 30 km from Manchester and is easily accessible by road and rail. To get to Ramsbottom, you can also catch the East Lancashire Railway from Bury.