Rochdale
Rochdale is a town in Greater Manchester in the North West of England. It is a Metropolitan Borough and consists of the towns of Rochdale, Middleton, Milnrow, Wardle, Littleborough and Heywood. The borough has a population of approximately 208,000.
6 miles north of Oldham and 7 west of Bury, Rochdale is probably best known for being the birthplace of the Co-operative Movement, Gracie Fields and Sir Cyril Smith, former Liberal politician. It lies within the Historic County of Lancashire.
Get in
The town is easily accessible from all areas of the country.
By plane
Manchester Airport is a half-hour car journey away for those wishing to arrive by plane.
By car
The town is at the heart of the motorway network of the country, situated off the M62, M60 and the M66.
By train
If you wish to travel by train Rochdale Train station is a short walk from the town centre and provides easy access to the cities of Manchester and Leeds as well as local access within Greater Manchester to the towns of Bolton, Salford and Wigan.
- π Rochdale railway station. Calder Valley Line
By tram
The Manchester based light rapid transit system (Metrolink) operate to Manchester Victoria via Oldham from Rochdale.
- π Rochdale Town Centre tram stop. on the Oldham and Rochdale Line (ORL) of Greater Manchester's light-rail Metrolink system.
By bus
- π Rochdale Interchange. Bus operators: First Greater Manchester, Rosso, First West Yorkshire, Yorkshire Tiger, Manchester Community Transport.
Get around
Rochdale is well served by its bus service that connects all areas of the town and other neighbouring towns as well.
See
Rochdale is home to some spectacular scenery and the ever popular Hollingworth Lake is well worth a visit.
- π Hollingworth Lake. In the heart of the Pennines in the east of Rochdale, it is a bustling country park that offers walkers some truly scenic routes.
- π Rochdale Pioneers Museum, 31 Toad Lane. Rochdale is the birthplace of the co-operative movement and the nation's very first Co-op still exists on Toad Lane. A visit here whilst in Rochdale is a must.
- π Rochdale Town Hall. Attractive Victorian gothic revival.
- π St Chads (at the end of a pleasant but moderately steep walk behind the town hall). Medieval church.
- π Rochdale Cenotaph, Esplanade. First World War memorial.
Do
- Watch football ie soccer at Rochdale AFC. They play in League One, the third tier of English football. They play at Spotland Stadium.
- Watch Rugby League i.e. 13-a-side rugby at Rochdale Hornets, who share Spotland Stadium. Hornets play in National League One, the second tier of English Rugby League.
- π TeamKarting, Ensor Mill, Queensway, OL11 2NU, β +44 1706 310999, e-mail: hello@teamkarting.co.uk. 9AM-11PM. Longest all-tarmac indoor go-karting track in Greater Manchester. Speeds up to 40 mph (64 km/h). Β£20.
Buy
Drink
Rochdale has a nightlife. There are clubs to go to and traditional town centre pubs so all needs are catered for.
Eat
- π CockaDoodleMoo, 3-5 Yorkshire St, β +44 1706 668642.
- π Nutters restaurant, Edenfield Rd, β +44 1706 650167.
Sleep
- π The Royal Toby Hotel, Manchester Rd, β +44 1706 861861.
- π Mercure Manchester Norton Grange Hotel and Spa, Manchester Rd, β +44 1706 630788.
- π Moss Lodge, Kings Rd, β +44 1706 350555.
Go next
A picturesque Pennine village called Hebden Bridge is only a short drive from Rochdale and well worth a visit. If you find yourself in Hebden Bridge with time to take in more Pennine delights then the equally picturesque Haworth (home of the BrontΓ« sisters) is not much further. The route from Hebden Bridge to Haworth is over high moorland and can be hazardous in poor winter conditions.
Routes through Rochdale |
Manchester β | SW |
β Huddersfield β Leeds |