Eight of borough’s brightest gems
Bingo hall holds big ‘birthday reclaim’ bash
WITH restrictions due to lift on July 19, we can all begin to fully venture out again.
And to help readers reacquaint themselves with the gems on our doorstep, the Observer checked out what visitors to the borough consider to be our best attractions on Tripadvisor.
The travel website has rated the top ten things to do in the borough based on the scores and reviews of hundreds of visitors.
Perhaps not surprisingly Hollingworth Lake was the highest rated attraction, with Touchstones and Healey Dell Nature Reserve and Tea Rooms also rating highly.
The ratings were correct as of July 6, and attractions are ranked according to a combination of the number of ratings received and how readers scored them out of five.
So here are the best eight things to do in Rochdale, rated by visitors on the popular website.
1. Hollingworth Lake
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The circular walk around the lake boasts amazing views, and has nearby shops for drinks and ice cream. There is also pubs for a meal out. If you’re walking the entire way around the lake, it will take you just over an hour.
Hollingworth Lake also has a Travellers Choice 2020 award.
Mark, from Bury, said: “Went on Monday on our week off. Not been for a very long time. Parking was easy and at £1 for 2 hours parking was cheap.
“We walked around the lake and it took us just over an hour.
“There was plenty of people about walking around with their children and dogs.
“At the end we called into the chippy for a bag of chips as a treat. I can imagine in the summer it gets packed with people, and when the pubs and shops around the lake are open it would be good. “Definitely worth a visit.” Four and a half stars. 512 visitors rated it Excellent.
2. Touchstones
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The Grade-ii listed family-friendly museum and art gallery features five galleries showcasing a programme of exhibitions. It also has dedicated learning spaces hosting workshops, talks and special events, and a display of the collections telling the story of Rochdale and its people. There is also a cafe, and a gift shop.
Margaret, from Manchester, said: “What are you waiting for? This experience at Touchstones and Riverside One, is not to be missed! Touchstones has lots of interesting and factual information about fossils found in and around Rochdale area.
“Children and adults will be entertained by the interactive exhibits. The event is free and open seven days a week. Not to be missed.”
Four and a half stars. 50 visitors rated it Excellent.
3. Healey Dell Nature Reserve and Tea Rooms
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Labelled a ‘hidden gem’, Healey Dell is a beauty spot and wildlife sanctuary just two miles from the town centre. It features waterfalls, a 100-foot high viaduct, and a nature trail, formed from a disused 1800s railway line.
The Healey Dell Heritage Centre offers visitors a Victorian-themed tea room, serving English cream teas.
Maureen, from Altincham, said: “Went for a birthday afternoon tea.
“This really is a hidden gem. We walked for about an hour, which isn’t really enough time to enjoy the scenery.
“There were waterfalls, valleys, a viaduct, remains of an old mill and a bomb factory. We will definitely go again when we have more time.
“The afternoon tea was exceptional, one of the best I have ever had. The food was amazing, with sandwiches, quiche, macaroons, chocolate brownies among other cakes and, a special treat, marshmallows with a chocolate dip.
“Everything was delicious, but the staff made it special. They were brilliant. Nothing seemed too much for them.
“The tea room itself is lovely, with lots of vintage china, some of it for sale.
“I will definitely be back soon for a longer walk and another afternoon tea.”
Four and a half stars. 53 visitors rated it Excellent.
4. Greenbooth Reservoir
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There are a number of walks to do around the reservoir, which all feature amazing views.
The walk is gentle, but also longer that Hollingworth Lake depending on how far you want to walk.
It’s also ideal for dog walks and picnics.
Lisa, from Rochdale, said: “Blow the cobwebs away. Great place to have a good walk, not too strenuous but great views.
“Autumn is the best time to go, the colours are amazing makes for great photos - cracking views of the windmills.”
Four stars. 42 rated it Excellent.
5. Middleton Parish Church (St Leonard’s)
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Ideal for history lovers, the church boasts a rich history and has been used by worshippers for nearly 900 years.
Before this, it is believed there was a wooden Saxon church at the site.
St Leonard’s Parish Church has received Heritage Lottery Funding of £249,000, including development funding of £37,753, towards repair work and a programme of activities to engage with the local community.
Anne, from Middleton, said: “How lucky we are to have this ancient building in our town. So much to see! I could go every week and find something new.
“My granddaughter loves it, knows where the archers sharpened their arrows...
“A great place to bring history alive to children. The gardens are beautiful. Love it!”
Five stars. 26 rated it Excellent. visitors
6. Blackstone Edge
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With magnificent views across the area, Blackstone Edge is also great for climbing and bouldering.
The Pennine Way crosses the area and there is also an ancient paved path which is reputedly a Roman road.
There’s a nearby pub for a meal out afterwards.
The climb also features panoramic views of the area, but there are a variety of paths if you don’t fancy a climb.
Anna, from Sowerby Bridge, said: “Good for a weekend walk. An enjoyable place with stunning views over the valleys.
“Afterwards you can always call in at the White House pub for a cold beer and a bite to eat.”
Five stars. 22 rated it Excellent.
7. Ellenroad Engine House Steam Museum
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A volunteer-run museum, the mill itself was demolished in 1982, but the engine house, complete with steam engine, and the boiler house chimney were retained.
The Ellenroad Ring Mill Engine is ‘steamed’ on the first Sunday of the month.
It is home to the world’s largest working steam mill engine, and features a variety of engines to look at.
Amanda, from Rochdale, said: “Lovely little afternoon out with the family. Very informative and great to see the big wheel in action.
“Always local things added to each event, from steam engines, vintage cars and choirs and dancing.”
Four and a half stars. 30 visitors rated it Excellent.
8. Rochdale Pioneers Museum
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Rochdale, which founded the co-operative movement, has a museum dedicated to the time period.
It is housed in the building where the Rochdale Equitable Pioneers Society started trading in 1844, and is regarded as the birthplace of the modern co-op movement.
It includes a re-creation of the original shop, containing its rudimentary furniture, scales and items that were sold at the store. It also has displays on women’s rights, poverty, education, fair trade and social reform.
Susan, from Wirral, said: “The history of people power in this museum is incredible.
“Entry is through the door of the small shop that was the origins of the cooperative movement.
“Then there are three floors of museum to interact with.
“Lift and wide spaces good for mobility issues, lots of things on child level and very very interesting.
“Two lovely staff members were on hand to answer questions and give insights. This is a very special place.”
Four stars. 43 rated it Excellent. visitors
MECCA Bingo planned a special day to help residents ‘reclaim’ birthdays lost to lockdown.
The bingo hall on Smith Street, Rochdale, offered a series of surprises and special birthday offers on Saturday.
Anyone who missed their big day during the pandemic was invited to bring a friend for free and take up the special drinks offer to make it a party to remember.
The bingo hall was also kitted out in birthday decorations, banners and balloons.
Gary Taylor, general manager at Mecca Bingo Rochdale, said in advance of the occasion: “After the success of Junemas, we’re really excited to bring people together to celebrate missed birthdays - especially those big milestone occasions that have been missed because of lockdown.
“The night will allow those special moments spent together with friends and family to be relived properly.”
For more information visit www.meccabingo. com.
ROCHDALE-BASED manufacturer PTG Holroyd has received an order for a £1.3m machine from a customer in China.
PTG Holroyd designs and builds the highly specialised rotor milling and rotor grinding machines at its Milnrow HQ that leading manufacturers around the world use to produce ultra-precise components for use in aerospace, air compression, air conditioning, refrigeration, gas processing, fluid transfer and high-end automotive applications.
Now one of East China’s most prestigious engineering academies has placed an order for a £1.3m Zenith 400 helical profile grinding machine from PTG Holroyd, which is scheduled to be shipped to China ready for installation in summer 2022.
PTG Holroyd’s regional sales director Mark Curran said: “We are delighted to have secured this significant order for one of our industryleading Zenith 400 machines.
“The engineering academy specialises in the development of ultra-precise components for a number of sectors, as well as small batch production of specialised components and prototypes.
“As such, it required a machine that offered the highest levels of precision helical grinding, as well as exceptional levels of versatility. After considering machines from a number of our competitors, the Zenith 400 was chosen for its ability to meet all the helical component design, build and production needs of the academy, and for its use of twin-plated CBN grinding wheels.”
With the advantage of twin grinding wheels, the academy staff will be able to complete both rough and fine-grit finish grinding in one seamless operation.
Developed to precision-grind components weighing up to 1,000 kg and measuring up to 450 mm in diameter and 2.2 metres in length, the Zenith 400 combines high stock removal rates and aggressive semifinishing.