Ramsbottom

Coordinates: 53°38′54″N 2°19′01″W / 53.6484°N 2.3169°W / 53.6484; -2.3169

Ramsbottom is a market town in the Metropolitan Borough of Bury, Greater Manchester, England. The population at the 2011 census was 17,872.Historically in Lancashire, it is on the River Irwell in the West Pennine Moors,3.9 miles (6.3 km) north-northwest of Bury, and 12 miles (19 km) north-northwest of Manchester.

The name is believed to derive from Old English ramm and botm, meaning "valley of the ram". Its Victorian architecture, Pennine landscape and industrial heritage, including the East Lancashire Railway, contribute to heritage tourism in the town.

History

Toponymy

The name probably means "ram's valley" from the Old English ramm, a ram and botm, a valley. However some toponymists interpret it as wild-garlic-valley, with the first element representing the Old English hramsa meaning "wild garlic". A record from 1324 recording the name as Ramesbothum is inconclusive. The town was alternatively recorded as Ramysbothom in 1540.