Holcombe, Greater Manchester

infobox UK place
country = England
latitude= 53.644786
longitude= -2.324509
official_name= Holcombe
population=
metropolitan_borough= Bury
metropolitan_county= Greater Manchester
region= North West England
constituency_westminster= Bury North
post_town= BURY
postcode_district = BL?
postcode_area= BL
dial_code= 01706
os_grid_reference= SD785165
static_

static_image_caption=The Peel Monument above Holcombe

Holcombe is a village of the Metropolitan Borough of Bury, in Greater Manchester, England. Historically part of Lancashire, it is situated south of Haslingden, east of Edgworth, west of Ramsbottom, and north of Tottington.

The village is located on the slopes of Harcles Hill (known by locals as Holcombe Hill). Much of the moorland around the village is in the care of the National Trust and is popular with walkers, cyclists and bird watchers. The buildings in the area are made up predominantly of stone cottages and farms. There is a public house called the 'Shoulder of Mutton' which has now closed, a restaurant, church and primary school. At one time the village also had a shop, post office, a lock-up, and a regular bus service linking it to Holcombe Brook, a neighbouring village in the valley bottom one mile to the south.

Holcombe is the home of the Holcombe Hunt. This pack of foxhounds, which has been kennelled at Holcombe for over 200 years, is one of the oldest in the country. The Hunt was granted a Coat of Arms in 1985 the motto being "Hunting and conserving". Holcombe also gives its name to an Annual Gamecock Show, held on New Year's Day in Ramsbottom. Since 1973 Holcombe has been home to Darul Uloom Al-Arabiyyah Al-Islamiyyah, the first Darul uloom in the UK.

History

During the middle ages Holcombe hosted the regular court sessions of the Royal Manor of Tottington.

In 1617 the Holcombe Pack was taken to Hoghton Tower on the occasion of the King James I visit when His Majesty granted the Royal Warrant to hunt over 12 townships, and the privilege of wearing the Scarlet Livery of the King.

External links

* [http://summerseat.blog.co.uk/ Summerseat Views] is a resident's blog which aims to provide a photographic diary of life and the seasons in the village and the surrounding area.

The Postcode is BL9