Blackrod is a small town and civil parish in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, in Greater Manchester, historically part of Lancashire. It retains a distinctly village-like centre with a conservation area and a number of listed buildings including the old parish church, St Katharine’s, reflecting its long history. The community is compact and residential, with local shops and clubs that sustain a strong neighbourhood feel.
Geographically Blackrod sits on the edge of the West Pennine Moors and close to the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, giving good access to countryside walking while remaining well connected: Blackrod railway station lies on the Manchester–Preston line and many residents commute into Manchester and Bolton. Historically the area grew with small-scale coal mining and textile-related trades in the 19th century, but today its economy is largely residential with some local businesses and a strong emphasis on community life.