Botany Bay

TL;DR - Pretty unique chopping experience. Not my kinda place, but probably OK if you like this kinda thing.

I grew up in Chorley, so was aware of Botany Bay for a long time... but we never went because you had to pay to get in. That's not been the case for a long time though - it's free entry now.

The place is a converted mill, so it's pretty big and spread across multiple floors. Different areas are styled/themed differently... so the ground floor is laid out almost like a series of streets with Victorian shops, whereas the upper floors are laid out in a much more open plan style.

The range of goods on sale is pretty wide - there's furniture and bedding in one area, women's clothing in another (there may be men's, but I didn't find it); the ground floor shops are more gift based - gift food, souvenirs etc. There's also a good kitchen shop on the ground floor, plus various cafes scattered around.

Overall though, it wasn't for me. If you like what they sell then this could be a great experience for you, but I found it a bit gimmicky. There was also some items on sale which made me wonder who shopped there - there was a shop selling a ceramic Hitler head and some antique but highly racist signs... who the hell thinks they want that in their house?

There's a small garden centre outside which seemed pretty overpriced and a lot of the plants were past their best. Also we were there late on a Saturday and the whole place seemed a bit eerily quiet... some of the traders appeared to have given up for the day.

I'm probably not the target demographic for this place. I can see that it's a pretty unique site and that if you're looking for certain items then it will tick the boxes. But it's not for me and I won't be bothering to head back.

Now that it's free to get in, it's much more appealing and more accessible to more people!

Botany Bay is basically a 5 storey former mill which contains lots of different sub-shops and areas to shop for things varying from clothing, furniture, gifts, crafts etc, as well as the addition of the new food hall on the ground floor where as of 2014 there's now an ice cream parlour, deli, cheese shop, butcher and baker. These are worth a visit by themselves! There are also cafes and a restaurant on different floors.

I recommend getting the lift to the top floor and just working your way down at a gentle pace, allowing yourself to look in the different units and shops without feeling you're having a big hike.

The top floor is 100% Christmas around Winter, and has a huge collection of Christmas decorations and the sort.

The restaurant on the top floor is underwhelming and pricy in my opinion. There's a basic cafe called Casablanca's on the ground floor if you need a cup of tea though, and Jippie's Deli or Tootsie's Ice Cream Parlour if you fancy something a bit different.

The ground floor's theming is that of old Victorian/York style streets, which is a great little quirky gimmick!

They also have a great gardening section, both indoors and outdoors with everything from plants and plant pots to statues and sheds.

It's definitely worth a visit now and then, but give yourself a good few hours as there's lots to see. It's good for home shopping or gift shopping especially, and there's the big 'Puddletown Pirates' play area for the kids.

Parking is pretty plentiful, but on rough gravelled ground, which could be tricky for those with mobility issues.

Went to Botany Bay a few years back and even spent most of a day filming a tv commercial. It was a good place then. But had to pay to get in. There was the Vehicle Museum outside and ground floor.

All of that has gone now and no payment to get in.
I was really surprised on this visit.. you smile as soon as you go in the main door, and want more.

Each floor is different with lots of stalls selling most things you want from a shopping experience like Botany Bay.
Even found Gothic bits and pieces, now thats a bonus.
Each turn and corner is a new adventure.

Cafe areas for that refreshing pick me up. One of which I have reviewed in Yelp. To top it all I had my photo taken in the door of Dr Who's Tardis and with two Cybermen. Ohhh and with a couple of Pirates. Nope sorry no Johnny Depp, hat do you want for free entry sugar on it.

Staff were friendly, Customers all enjoying the same experience were able to smile at each other .

So much more that i could write about, but hey take a trip and find out for yourself.
Great day out and the Ball Park for the younger kids.
Did try getting in there myself.
Walked in on my knees but I think it was the beard that gave me away..

Ohhhhh and as you walk around the floors look out for the signed Ghost Hot-Spots. wooohoooooooooooo

Now free to get in at last. Inside you will find spread over severall floor a vast collection of novelty items, fancy goods, bric a brac, furniture, sweets, perfume etc. Not many bargains to be found but there are a couple of cafes and sweetshops to get refreshment. Popular with coach parties of pensioners from Yorkshire and others who have not visited previously. Outside there is a good garden centre, although once again not cheap.
Masses of free parking and pleasant walks to be had down the canal tow path.

Sometimes in life you come across something that is so wierd and wonderful that it is difficult to place in a tidy verdict box. Botany bay is such a place. I have literally never come across anything like it, for that reason alone I loved it.

Sifting through the meriad of images I obtained for your pleasure, it is a place of facination. I am a sucker for history and the wonderment of what once was. Mathemtical statistics suggest, though don't quote me on this, that there are roughly about 2 of you in the world. That's two people in the world who resemble you like for like. Thus in my imaginary world I find myself indulged in a fantasy that perhaps reincarnation is not such a ludicrous notion after all, albeit a subconcious one. What is the relevence of this I hear you think. Well, What if there is more to the feeling of deja vouz then we might care to think. What if...the reason why I love it is because I once upon a time in a different life, did. What possible other reason could there be for me to love it??!! Under normal circumstances I would hate a place like this. The place is old!!!! The shops are boring, there is nothing of interest for me top buy here. Theres no Apple shop, no Topshop, no HMV, no Curry's, no Millie's cookies, no Starbucks, no nothing. In fact if you were expecting it to be a run of the mill shopping centre, forget it!!!! Even the DVD stand is full relics!! The place reminded me more of Maddame Tussauds than the Trafford centre.

So why did I love it so. Well you see you can buy stuff here that you can't buy anywhere else. It's an Alladin's cave or Pandorras box, what's more it even feels like it. All things old are slightly creepy, perhaps my fondness of the place comes from my avid love of horror films. I could certainly write a pretty good script for a movie taking place inside here that's for sure. For I wouldn't like to be locked in here overnight. I'm only kidding this place one must check out. I'm not going to tell you exactly what the place has to offer, much like you don't divulge too much information about a film before you see it. See for yourself, give it a visit on a saturday afternoon, I'd definately do it before the sun goes down though. Oh come on........ its halloween!!!!! (MJ thriller finale laugh)

If you like jumble sales but don't want to brave the bad weather go to Botany Bay. It is a massive old mill building that they have opened up to small traders selling a variety of items. There are some nice small craft shops on the lower levels, and a brilliant old school sweet shop where you can buy all your childhood favourite sweets by the quarter, and there are some furniture/accessory shops of note but the rest is like an organised jumble sale. Still, if that's your thing, it's worth a peek. As I say, not a bad option for a rainy day when you've nothing else to do

This is a no star venue.


Imagine a junk shop/ car boot sale spread over 4 floors. A collection of stalls where the stuff for sale is so worthless that the owners don't even have to be present in the majority of cases - instead if there is anything you want, you just lift it and pay. It is also full of occult nonsense like palm readers and holds regular seances and ghost treks - this satanic undercurrent hardly makes for family entertainment.


The real trick is that you have to pay £3.99 per person to get in, or £5 to become a Life member - sounds like a good deal except that if you pay £3.99, you will regret ever penny and would be unlikely to visit again in your life.


In a word, AVOID.

The admission charge is about to be dropped!
Furthermore, Botany Bay are responding to the popularity of antiques and collectacles and are offering incentives to stall holders at their sister mill, Bygone Times, to open stalls here too.
I have spoken to a stall holder who has just moved in and he reckons lots more should be following suit, so if you like antiques and collectables, check out the first floor, near to the Doctor Who exhibition.

Botany Bay is situated off junction 8 off the M61 motorway. Situated on several floors, it is a myriad of shops, antiques, crafts and bric a brac. It also has a garden centre and a coffee bar on the ground and top floor. There are rooms also available for conferences.
Disabled access could be tricky as although the floors are serviced with lifts, there is often a wait for these, and initially getting into the building could be a problem.
It is also situated next to the leeds liverpool canal, which on sunny days is lovely to get a breath of fresh air and feed the ducks. You will often hear a hurdy gurdy outside, and have access to ice cream vans.
There is plenty for the children to do whilst you shop as there is Puddletown pirates, sweet shops etc, which will hold their attention.
If you have the cards from there then you will also have access to it's partner Bygone Times in Eccleston.
late night opening is on a Wednesday, which is often free and you could buy the cards then giving yourself a little discount, whilst at this time of year also getting a free mince pie and mulled wine.
I think it is worthwhile having a visit at different times of the year, children will love the Christmas shop on the top floor.
There are a few downsides, as in the car park, and the staff could benefit from some customer service skills in the cafe areas.

Fun place to visit. Cafe open until 5.00 on sunday. Shopping a bit of hit and miss with some pricing a bit off the mark (most products are offerred by individual traders who rent space, a bit like Amazon).


Childrens play area is good and lays on a good supervised party.