Booking is essential to visit the heritage centre. For details email freddibnahtours@live.com.

Update2: Details of next tour posted here.

Update: the last open day took place on the 22nd August 2009. Keep an eye on the News section for further updates.

This is quoted from the eBay auction of the current owners of Fred Dibnah’s home:

“Hello please allow me to introduce my wife and myself as the proud new owners of the famous Fred Dibnah’s house and worksite. we have purposely kept things low key whilst we settled in and got our bearings. we have been genuinely touched by the many well wishers and would like to make it official that it is our intention ( subject of course to the approval of the planning dept. ) to return this famous and revered property to its original state just as Fred would have kept it.”

“We have spent many hours, days and weeks fettling the house to get it back to its former glory after 4 years of standing empty, blood sweat and tears aplenty, and we hope we have done a good job, we like it anyway, we have gone all out to bring the house back to its original habitable condition, its a very quirky house but we love it.”

“Next job is the work site ie. the workshop, work shed, boiler house, all the machinery and the grounds, which were in a bit of a state to put it mildly as you can imagine after 4 years of neglect.”

“In order to carry out this mammoth task as always there is a need to raise money and that’s were hopefully you the Fred admirers of this world come in, we know its credit crunch time and everybody is feeling the pinch, us included, and that’s why we need your help.”

“Now then to kick-start this massive regeneration project we are going to have a pre planning application one off event which hopefully when planning has been approved we will be able to duplicate, but that cannot be guaranteed.”

“So if you would like to come to the first ever opening of Fred’s place for a pleasant evenings entertainment this is your chance, we are going to have a very limited number of people along to this event probably no more than 25 to 40 people in all, there will be a guided tour of the grounds and workshops which will be as Fred left them, just as if he has nipped out for a pint, there will be a “Fred talk” by his missus Shiela Dibnah which will be very entertaining I promise you, and also a chance to meet and chat to some of Fred’s mates/colleagues, I am hoping there will also be one or two surprise guests but I cant say who at this stage, Alan Mc’ewen the author will be there, Alan was a long time pal of Freds for over 25 years. plus the opportunity to purchase some memorabilia if you wish to do so, accommodation can probably be arranged for you locally if you are travelling some distance at extra cost, please say if this is required.”

Click here for more details of the tour.

“Please don’t think this is just to line my pockets, my intention is purely focused on getting this place fettled so it shines like a new pin, something that Fred would have been proud to see. we cannot let this famous piece of history vanish forever, lets save it for future generations this place is fantastic and is steeped in history.”

Fred Dibnah Heritage Centre

The Fred Dibnah Heritage Centre is now open for tours!

Visitors will have a guided tour of the wonderful grounds, workshops and machinery, collected by Fred over his working life, and will then be able to sit and relax in the garden, the snug or the lounge, and take in the atmosphere of this amazing piece of English history! Refreshments will be available and there will be a superb range of memorabilia and souvenirs to purchase.

Visitors must pre-book, anyone who turns up without a ticket will not be allowed entry. (planning permission rules)

The cost of each ticket is £12 per person.

Opening hours are:

• Monday – Closed
• Tuesday – Closed
• Wednesday – One tour at 2pm
• Thursday – One tour at 2pm
• Friday – Closed
• Saturday Tours at 10am and 2pm
• Sunday – Closed

Open every bank holiday for tours at 10am and 2 pm.

How to get there:

View Larger Map

Address: 121 Radcliffe Road, Bolton, BL2 1NU

When placing an order please leave a note stating your preferred date and time of tour.

Cheques are also accepted. Please make payable to Fred Dibnah Heritage Centre c/o 121 Radcliffe Road, Bolton, BL2 1NU