Hall I’ Th’ Wood Station is situated in the Tonge district of Bolton. The station sits high on an embankment in a largely residential area. The village was first mentioned in the early 13^th century. The area was once part of a large forest where the second part of the village name originated, however the coming of the Industrial Revolution soon vastly reduced this resource.

The cotton industry rapidly established itself in the area with numerous mills springing up. Samuel Crompton who lived at Hall I’ th’ Wood Hall invented the Spinning Mule here and this development had a major impact in the cotton industry. It was capable of spinning very fine thread and was instrumental in moving forward cotton spinning in the area and beyond. Crompton’s old home is now a museum highlighting the cotton industry in the area, and in particular the Spinning Mule.