Estate Agents Atherton

The Good Estate Agent Leigh covers Atherton and the surrounding areas, we have extensive experience in the local area.

Whether you live in Leigh, Warrington, Wigan or Bolton, all of our team live and work in your area!

Atherton is a town in the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan, in Greater Manchester, England and historically a part of Lancashire.

About Atherton

The town, including Hindsford, Howe Bridge and Hag Fold, is 5 miles east of Wigan, 2 miles north of Leigh, and 10+3⁄4 miles northwest of Manchester.

Evidence has been discovered of a Roman road passing through the area, on the ancient route between Coccium (Wigan) and Mamucium (Manchester). Following the Anglo-Saxon invasion of England, Atherton, which is built on and around seven brooks, became part of the manor of Warrington until the Norman conquest, when it became a township or vill in the ancient parish of Leigh. Since 1974 the town has been part of the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan, a local government district of the Metropolitan County of Greater Manchester and since 2010 it has been part of the Bolton West parliamentary constituency.

The Chow – recorded as Chew, Cholle and Chowl – family were tenants of the Athertons living at the valley by Chanters Brook. This part of the township became known as Chow’s Bent but the meaning of Bent has been lost, perhaps a bend or slope. It was referred to in the 14th century as Chollebynt or Shollebent. Chowbent, or Bent, was the name given to the built-up part of Atherton from the mid-17th century for at least 300 years. As the population grew, the town was called Atherton, although the names Chowbent or Bent are used by locals.