Middlebrook is a suburb that spans the boundaries of Horwich and Lostock in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester, England (historically a part of Lancashire). The name Middlebrook is derived from the watercourse the Middle Brook which starts at Red Moss, the mossland south of Horwich. Further downstream the Middle Brook joins with other tributaries and becomes the River Croal which runs through Bolton and eventually joins the River Irwell at Kearsley. Middlebrook has retail, leisure and business parks and it is also the location of the University of Bolton Stadium, home of Bolton Wanderers F.C., and Horwich Police Station. History The name Middlebrook (or Middle Brook) comes from the Old English words "mycel" and "broc" meaning "great brook". In 1292, the name was written "Mikelbrok" and over the centuries it became Middlebrook. Before the retail, leisure and business parks were built Middlebrook was the site of Sefton Fold Farm in Horwich. The old timber framed farmhouse with sandstone flag roof as could have been seen latterly would seem to have dated from the 16th century with many intervening changes. The floor plan would indicate a three bay farmhouse or hall: the latter access being a 'baffle' entry facing the central chimney stack; this may have also been the original position but could have been a more traditional 'screens' entrance adjacent to the service bay. A cellar appears to have been located under the northern service bay and later GMAU investigations would infer that this used to be occupied by a small water wheel (for grinding domestic crops?) That would also infer that a stream ran under the house at this point. A well existed very nearby in the yard but any evidence of a stream latterly had become obscured. Something of a rebuild appears to have happened around 1666 and was possibly refaced or altered in 1811, as evidenced by the semi circular datestone over the adjacent cottage which dates from 1811. However, an earlier late Georgian brick wing was seemingly added before that date, the bricks having been locally 'clamped'. The old bay (parlour) closest to the 'new wing' as described had already had its wattle and daub removed and replaced with brick. The middle bay (housebody) and end bay (service) together with the north gable had been rebuilt in 'watershot' squared and coursed gritstone rubble, although when that happened is not clear, because the stone of