Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary

Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary Located in Lancashire, UK, Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary gives animals the second chance they deserve. So where did it all begin? This was all we could afford.

Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary is one of the largest of its kind in the North West of England. It now boasts a 55 acre site in Edenfield near Ramsbottom, Lancashire and is uniquely positioned to cover a wide geographical area stretching across Lancashire to the Pennines and down in to Greater Manchester. Bleakholt is under constant development so as to be able to provide the very best possible care fo

r over 450 animals currently with us. As with many such charities it gradually evolved. It was started by a very kind lady, Olive Lomas, who saved a lucky donkey named Maudie from slaughter. Her hard work and commitment continued thereby saving many horses. In 1957, the project moved on to Bleakholt Farm in the Pennine foothills above Ramsbottom. In the 60’s and 70’s our cats and dogs were housed in leaky wooden buildings. Our horses had old railway carriages for shelter. The site and work of the Sanctuary has steadily expanded and improved since then. Additions included a block of heated catteries and heated kennels. We now have purpose built stables and 1999 saw the opening of a cat and kitten building. We now have a dog hospital, where we are able to provide minor treatments and an appropriate environment for those of our dogs who are under the weather. Our Waddington kennel block was re-built in 2005, and 2006 saw the re-building of another block named Keller block. Both of these blocks have all the latest “mod cons” including underfloor heating and sliding hatches. Improvements are needed all the time. We have completed a much needed new toilet block in 2007 and an extra cat building was completed in 2008 allowing all our felines to be housed in one area. In the future we hope to be able to build a new dog kennel block to include new facilities such as a home environment simulation room to aid in training exercises. In 1969 Bleakholt became a registered charity. Our first president was Margaret, Duchess of Argyll. Our latest president, appointed in 2003, is Ted Robbins who you will know from TV (including “Phoenix Nights”) and radio. Currently he has a programme on Radio Lancashire. He has been a visitor to Bleakholt with his family on a number of occasions in the past so we were pleased he accepted our invitation to be our president. He regularly promotes the good work of the Sanctuary, for which we are very grateful, as well as joining us on Open Days when his busy schedule allows. Thanks Ted! In January 2006, acting upon the advice of the Charities Commission, Bleakholt changed its status to a limited company. The overall planning and management of Bleakholt falls to our Board of Directors (Trustees) who hold monthly meetings. These Directors are members elected at our Annual General Meeting. The day to day tasks of running the Sanctuary and caring for our charges is carried out by our dedicated staff. They are backed up by our army of supporters and volunteers who provide their time and help in so many ways and without whom the Sanctuary could not continue. We are extremely grateful for all the hard work they do. It is very rewarding. Please help us in providing this worthwhile service. Bleakholt hopes this site will give you an insight in to the Sanctuary and its aims. We also hope it introduces you to a few new friends both of the two-legged and four-legged variety.

Some people spend their Sundays at garden centres. Some people spend them watching TV. The superior option is spending S...
14/06/2026

Some people spend their Sundays at garden centres. Some people spend them watching TV. The superior option is spending Sunday 5th July at Bleakholt surrounded by animals, cake, music, shopping, games and hundreds of fellow animal lovers.

We may be biased, but we think it’s the best £3 you’ll spend all summer
We’d tell you what’s happening at our Summer Family Fun Day, but honestly it’s easier to tell you what’s not happening

There’s animals, stalls, food, drinks, games, crafts, entertainment, competitions and enough things to do that you’ll probably need a sit down afterwards. Join us on Sunday 5th July from 12pm-3:30pm for one of our favourite days of the year

Sunday 5th July 2026 12pm-3:30pm
Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary, Bury Old Rd, Ramsb, Lancs, BL0 0RX

A massive shout out to our event sponsors for making the day bigger and better, and in enabling the day to be a great success:
1. Melling Vets
2. Diodes Zetex Semiconductors Ltd
3. Farm Cottage Boarding
4. Carter Collins & Myer
5. Wave EOT
6. Heywood Vets

£2 Kids (3yrs-17yrs); £3 Adults (18ys+); FREE Kids Under 3yrs
Pay on the gate OR Get your tickets online here:

Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary presents their biggest Summer Family Fun Day this year, with food, drink, over 40 stalls, games and activities!

Voting closes tonight. Please vote and thanks so much to all you wonderful folks who already have
13/06/2026

Voting closes tonight. Please vote and thanks so much to all you wonderful folks who already have

The Rock's Charity of Choice – VOTE NOW
We've had so many nominations this year! Now it is over to you...
Head to our website to vote for one of the following three:

Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary
Bury Hospice
Restart the Heart

https://therockbury.com/vote-charity-year/
Voting closes at midnight 14/06/2026

We’re usually the ones handing out treats… A huge thank you to LUSH UK Bury for surprising us with the most incredible g...
13/06/2026

We’re usually the ones handing out treats…

A huge thank you to LUSH UK Bury for surprising us with the most incredible goody bags full of amazing products today whilst we’re doing our stall in therockbury 💙

The kindness and support we receive from local businesses means so much to us, and little gestures like this really do brighten our days

A huge thank you to everyone at Lush for your kindness, generosity, and for making our day smell significantly better 😁💙

Need an excuse to avoid doing jobs around the house on Sunday 5th July?We’ve got rescue animals, live entertainment, mar...
13/06/2026

Need an excuse to avoid doing jobs around the house on Sunday 5th July?

We’ve got rescue animals, live entertainment, market stalls, crafts, competitions, food, drinks and a bar. We’d argue that’s a far better use of your time than cleaning the garage

Sunday 5th July 2026 12pm-3:30pm
Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary, Bury Old Rd, Ramsb, Lancs, BL0 0RX

A massive shout out to our event sponsors for making the day bigger and better, and in enabling the day to be a great success:
1. Melling Vets
2. Diodes Zetex Semiconductors Ltd
3. Farm Cottage Boarding
4. Carter Collins & Myer
5. Wave EOT
6. Heywood Vets

£2 Kids (3yrs-17yrs); £3 Adults (18ys+); FREE Kids Under 3yrs
Pay on the gate OR Get your tickets online here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bleakholt-animal-sanctuarys-2026-big-summer-family-fun-day-tickets-1991041058403

We’re at The Rock, Bury today!If you’re heading into town, come and say hello to the Bleakholt team between 11am and 2pm...
13/06/2026

We’re at The Rock, Bury today!

If you’re heading into town, come and say hello to the Bleakholt team between 11am and 2pm. We’ll be armed with a tombola, pet goodies, questionable sales tactics, and our usual ability to talk about animals for far longer than anyone asked us to

Pop by, try your luck, grab a bargain, and help support the hundreds of rescue animals in our care. See you there! 🐾

The goats are preparing. The dogs are preparing. The volunteers are preparing. Whether the public are prepared for the l...
12/06/2026

The goats are preparing. The dogs are preparing. The volunteers are preparing. Whether the public are prepared for the level of fun on Sunday 5th July remains to be seen

Join us for our Summer Family Fun Day and enjoy everything from market stalls and entertainment to games, food, drinks and of course hundreds of rescue animals

Sunday 5th July 2026 12pm-3:30pm
Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary, Bury Old Rd, Ramsb, Lancs, BL0 0RX

A massive shout out to our event sponsors for making the day bigger and better, and in enabling the day to be a great success:
1. Melling Vets
2. Diodes Zetex Semiconductors Ltd
3. Farm Cottage Boarding
4. Carter Collins & Myer
5. Wave EOT
6. Heywood Vets

£2 Kids (3yrs-17yrs); £3 Adults (18ys+); FREE Kids Under 3yrs
Pay on the gate OR Get your tickets online here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bleakholt-animal-sanctuarys-2026-big-summer-family-fun-day-tickets-1991041058403

⚽The World Cup has started but you can get your football fix closer to home in July and support Bleakholt!A Manchester U...
12/06/2026

⚽The World Cup has started but you can get your football fix closer to home in July and support Bleakholt!

A Manchester United XI - with names of those taking part announced nearer the time - will be taking on a Ramsbottom XI at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium on Sunday 19 July, kick off 2pm.

It's pay on the gate - £10 adults, £5 concessions.

We will also be auctioning some Manchester United signed shirts on the day. Watch this space for more information!

One year ago today, a tiny 3 month old stray goat arrived at Bleakholt after being found wandering around Prestwich. He ...
12/06/2026

One year ago today, a tiny 3 month old stray goat arrived at Bleakholt after being found wandering around Prestwich. He was frightened, untouchable and nobody could get near him

Twelve months later, he’s still causing problems (just different ones)

For those who haven’t been keeping up with the Josh Cinematic Universe:
June 2025 - Arrived at Bleakholt

July 2025 - Decided Wallace was his mum (Wallace was not consulted)

August 2025 - Had the snip, went into the field for the first time and met the herd

September 2025 - Discovered escaping. Also learnt how to sit on a windowsill like a cat

October 2025 - Escaped and shredded Amy’s to do list. We adapted the enclosures. Josh considered this a challenge

November 2025 - Learnt to use the trampoline in the outdoor enclosure

December 2025 - Finally learnt which stable belonged to him after months of entering random ones and making staff run after him

January 2026 - Began a whirlwind romance with Morag

February 2026 - Allowed staff to brush him and give him tickles between the horns (character development)

March 2026 - Started escaping specifically to visit Madge and Teddy the pigs

April 2026 - Began mentoring Betty and Gordon in the ancient art of escaping

May 2026 - Rediscovered the willow trees and immediately resumed stripping them

June 2026 - Started saying hello to visitors (presumably while planning his next escape route)

Through it all, Josh has remained committed to two thingz:
1. Being absolutely adorable.
2. Testing our perimeter security

From a scared little goat nobody could touch, to one of the sanctuary’s biggest characters, Josh has brought laughter, chaos, mild panic and an impressive amount of fence related problem solving into our lives

Happy Anniversary, Josh 💙

Please stop teaching the others your tricks 🐐

www.bleakholt.org/sponsor-houdini

www.bleakholt.org/sponsor-a-farm-animal

12/06/2026

We’ve received reports that Eric is having a very difficult time at Bleakholt

As you can see from this footage, he is being forced to endure endless cuddles, cheek scratches, attention, affection, fuss, compliments, and being told he’s handsome approximately every 12 seconds

It’s a hard life

Unfortunately for Eric, the cat staff keep falling for his tricks. One little head nudge and they’re wrapped around his paw again

(ps, he’s our longest term cat here still waiting for a home)

www.bleakholt.org/adopt-a-cat 💙

🚨 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!!! 🚨Our Summer Family Fun Day is just around the corner. It's one of the biggest days in the Bleakh...
12/06/2026

🚨 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!!! 🚨

Our Summer Family Fun Day is just around the corner. It's one of the biggest days in the Bleakholt calendar, and we’re looking for a few extra superheroes to help make the magic happen on Sunday 5th July from 9am-4pm.

We’re currently looking for volunteers for:
🚗 3x Car Parking Marshals
🛍️ 2x Helpers for Bleakholt Stalls
🎯 8x Games & Activities Volunteers
🎥 1x Interviews & Video Content Creator
📝 2x Visitor Survey Helpers

No capes required. Just enthusiasm, a friendly smile, and a willingness to get stuck in

It’s a brilliant way to support the animals, meet fellow animal lovers, and be part of a day that raises vital funds for the sanctuary (plus you’ll get a behind the scenes view of the organised chaos that goes into making it all happen)

Please note that all event volunteers must be aged 18+. If you’d like to help, please get in touch with the team. We’d love to hear from you!

Please send us an email at [email protected] with what section of volunteering you'd like to get involved with!💙🐾

Address

Bury Old Road, Edenfield
Bury
BL00RX

Opening Hours

Thursday 11am - 4pm
Friday 11am - 4pm
Saturday 11am - 4pm
Sunday 11am - 4pm

Telephone

+441706822577

Website

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