15 Firwood Fold from the rear
| 15 Firwood Fold | |
|---|---|
 Firwood Fold cottages in Bolton | |
  Location within Greater Manchester | |
| General information | |
| Location | Bolton, Greater Manchester, England |
| Coordinates | 53°35′44″N2°24′19″W / 53.595517°N 2.405319°W |
| Completed | 16th century (probably) |
| Renovated | 19th century (extensively remodelled) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 2 |
| Designations | |
Listed Building – Grade II* | |
| Official name | 15, Firwood Fold |
| Designated | 26 April 1974 |
| Reference no. | 1388040 |
15 Firwood Fold is a 16th-century house in Bolton, Greater Manchester, England. It is a Grade II* listed building and according to local tradition is the oldest inhabited house in Bolton. [1] It stands separate from the other houses on Firwood Fold.
The house was originally built in a medieval style using the cruck construction technique, whereby A-shaped oak trusses on stone bases were covered in wattle and daub and thatch. It was later renovated and clad in stone. [2] One of the trusses can be clearly seen in the gable end.
In 1969 the hamlet of Firwood Fold was designated Bolton's first conservation area, [3] ensuring protection of its historic character. The unified appearance of the hamlet—simple style, local stone, and modest scale—has been preserved despite centuries of change.
