Orchard Green
Set by a reservoir on the eastern fringe of Westhoughton, with a sheltering belt of trees separating it from the farmland to the east and a large open space forming a delightful welcome to the development, Orchard Green is a collection of new homes which has a refreshing air of calm retreat. Yet, just two miles from the M61, and with a train station less than a quarter of a mile away, it offers remarkably good commuter access to Liverpool, Manchester and the whole of the North-West.
Local history
Westhoughton, known as 'Howfen' by the locals, was the site of a Civil War battle in 1642, an event commemorated by a mural above the town's Market Hall. The people of the town are traditionally referred to as 'Keaw Yeds' (cow heads in the local dialect), and while there are several competing explanations for the nickname, the most popular dates it back to a local farmer who, when one of his cows got its head stuck in a gate, cut the beast's head off on the basis that it was cheaper to replace the cow than install a new gate.
Entertainment
There is a wide choice of bars and restaurants in Westhoughton town centre, and the wider area offers a broad selection of entertainment opportunities ranging from live concerts at the Bolton School Arts Centre, to the facilities of the Middlebrook Leisure Park, which include a Hollywood Bowl, a sports stadium, a health club and a multi-screen Vue cinema.
Outdoor activities
The open spaces in Westhoughton include Hall Lee Park, a designated local nature reserve situated less than a mile to the north of Orchard Green, and the popular Central Park, scene of the town's annual carnival, where there are bowling-greens, tennis-courts and a children's playground. Around five miles to the south, the 200-hectare Pennington Flash Country Park includes a large lake with fishing and watersport facilities, an important nature reserve, play areas and a network of paths for walking, cycling and horse-riding. Other parks in the area include Risley Moss Local Nature Reserve, around nine miles away, and the Knowsley Safari Park in nearby Prescot.
Shopping
There is a good range of local shops and supermarkets in Westhoughton, many of them in Market Street - which is also the location of the Market Hall - or in Pavilion Square. The Spinning Gate Shopping Centre at nearby Leigh includes a number of high street retailers. and the comprehensive Trafford Centre in Manchester, with over 230 shops in an attractive mall setting, is only nine miles away.
Sport and leisure
Westhoughton Sports and Leisure Centre includes a sports hall, a 25m swimming-pool and two glass-walled squash courts, and there is a second swimming-pool at Hindley, two miles away. The Cheeky Chimps Playcentre at Atherton, just over a mile from Orchard Green, provides adventure activities and sports for children aged up to 12, and the local Hart Common Golf Club incorporates excellent 9 and 18-hole courses as well as a 27-bay driving range and a fully licensed clubhouse.
Transport
Orchard Green is less than two miles from junction 5 of the M61, offering fast access to central Manchester. And Daisy Hill Station, just quarter of a mile from the development, is served by Northern Rail trains running between Wigan and Manchester. Both Manchester Airport and Liverpool Ferry Terminal are within 35 minutes' drive.
Education
There are several excellent primary schools within a mile of Orchard Green, the nearest being just a quarter of a mile away in Hindley Road, and a choice of secondary schools in easy reach.
Health care
There is a choice of three medical practices, offering a wide choice of GPs and a range of specialist clinics, less than a mile from the development in Nelson Street. There are also dental practices and pharmacies in Westhoughton town centre.