Having two young children means I’m constantly on the look out for interesting places to take them, one the great things about being a photographer is that I’m constantly finding these places through the photo shoots I do! During the summer last year I went to Turton Tower in Bolton with my little boy, Corben, to have a look round for a potential shoot. The tower itself was built in the mid 15th century with extensions being added over the centuries. When the Kay family bought the property in 1835, which by then had fallen into disrepair, they began major redevelopment to turn it into the house we see today.
The house wasn’t open when we got there but we were able to have a good look round the outside from the grand frontage of the tower and garden to the lovely tea room at the back. We then went to have a wander round the volunteer run kitchen garden, which is wonderfully well kept and beautiful to look at. The volunteers we met were incredibly friendly and helpful, we also found a child sized wheelbarrow which is left out for children to play with.
From there we walked round to the adventure playground. It’s small but perfectly formed with plenty of things for older children to climb on. It was a bit big for Corben who was coming up to two at the time but he had fun clambering on some of the lower parts of the frames. The bench made from a tree trunk is fantastic to both sit on and explore. Going full circle back to the front of the tower we then turned up the road towards the railway bridge. Corben loved climbing up the steps of the stone tower and looking over the top onto the Blackburn to Bolton railway line below.
Once back at the house we headed to the tearoom for lunch, the food was lovely and we were able to eat most of it outside in the sun until it suddenly started pouring with rain! We didn’t have time to look round the house in the end but we will definitely head back to do so soon. I went back a few days after for the photo shoot and although this time I was working this visit was just as pleasant as the first.
Find out more about Turton Tower here: http://www.turtontower.com/
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