A gentle linear route between two railway stations visiting a tree-lined valley and one of the region’s most scenic bodies of water.

Hollingworth Lake (Updated Image)

  1. Walk Details for Hollingworth Lake, Rochdale
  2. A Step By Step Guide: The Ealees Valley and Hollingworth Lake
  3. Staying a Little Longer: Guide to Rochdale, Greater Manchester

Walk Details for Hollingworth Lake, Rochdale

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This is part of a series of guest blogs by Andrew Read, who shares his insider tips on Greater Manchester’s incredibly varied green spaces and heritage. Andrew demonstrated his passion for the region’s countryside and history by spearheading the creation of the GM Ringway, Greater Manchester's 200-mile Walking Trail.  More recently he has authored the OS Pathfinder Guide to Greater Manchester, which showcases 28 enticing walks across the whole city-region. Both the 20 stages of the GM Ringway and all the routes in the book can be accessed – like the walks in these blog posts – by public transport, making them ideal outings for locals and visitors alike.

Just a 20-minute train ride from Manchester city centre, this easy walk from Littleborough Station in Rochdale begins with a wander through a peaceful valley. As you reach the shores of Hollingworth Lake – one of the largest in the region – you’ll likely encounter a lot more people following the waterside paths as you complete an almost full circuit of the lake.

You’ll then arrive at Lake Bank, Hollingworth Lake’s ‘promenade’, where the penny arcade, cafes, and dining opportunities have the feel of a mini-seaside resort. And indeed, back in Victorian times, Hollingworth Lake was the main destination for the many millworkers who came to visit or stay here during their precious one-week holiday. The walk finishes with a short stroll to Smithy Bridge Station, just one stop down the line.

As the walk itself takes just a couple of hours, you can easily hop off the train at the next station – Rochdale – for a tour of the magnificently restored Rochdale Town Hall and other nearby attractions. Enjoy!

Key Information:

Start: Littleborough Station, OL15 8AR

End: Smithy Bridge Station, Littleborough OL15 0DX

Distance: 3.7 miles / 6.0 km

Height gain: 171 feet / 52 metres

Grade: Leisurely

Approximate time: 2 hours

Terrain: A mainly level route; pavements, quiet roads and wide tracks, some of which are roughly surfaced and can be muddy or damp after wet weather. A few steps and swing gates but no stiles. The only real ascent is at the very end on the gentle uphill walk to Smithy Bridge Station. 

Accessibility: Because of the varied surfaces and the steps over the canal near the start, the full route is not suitable for wheelchair users but should be fine for most others, including families with pushchairs. However, the circuit of Hollingworth Lake itself is level and step-free and – at least for the first half – on hard-surfaced paths. There are also accessible parking spaces at toilets at Lake Bank Car Park, and at the Pavilion Café along the way. For details, see the GM Ringway Hollingworth Lake Short Adventure.

Facilities: Refreshments (with toilets available to all) at the visitor centre before the lake shore, the Wine Press Bar and restaurant just off route, the Pavilion Café (with public toilets) part-way around the lake, The Beach (pub with food), and cafes and restaurants on Lake Bank towards the end of the walk.

Public Transport: Frequent trains from Manchester Victoria via Rochdale to Littleborough. Coming from Manchester, simply purchase a return ticket from Manchester (or your local station) to Littleborough, which can be used for the return journey from Smithy Bridge. A day return ticket will enable you to break your journey at Rochdale. From Rochdale Station, it’s a ten-minute downhill walk to the town centre and the glorious Rochdale Town Hall – but uphill on the way back! Alternatively, you can catch a tram from the station to the Rochdale Town Centre Stop at no extra cost if you have a rail ticket. To plan your journey, visit here. 

Parking: If you need to travel by car, there are 36 spaces at Littleborough Station Car Park or on streets nearby. At the end of the walk, simply take the train for one stop from Smithy Bridge back to Littleborough or catch one of the buses from Lake Bank.

A Step By Step Guide: The Ealees Valley and Hollingworth Lake

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Hollingworth Visitor Centre

1. From platform 2 at Littleborough Station, go down the steps and turn left through the subway to reach Canal Street. Turn left, cross at the crossing point, and turn left past the car park along the Rochdale Canal.

2. Soon cross the canal via the footbridge by the lock and follow the path that turns right behind houses.

3. Emerge onto a road, cross, and keep ahead along the narrow Ealees Road, watching for occasional vehicles, with a metal fence to your right.

4. Continue along what becomes a private road (but public footpath) past cottages on a winding route under overhanging trees. Remain on the quiet road with a tinkling brook to your right.

5. In 600m, where the road bears left by a wooden fence, turn right across a side-stream and keep right along the well-made path again with the brook to your right.

6. Pass three swing gates and follow the main path as it curves right across the brook. Pass a grassy picnic area then keep ahead past the car park (with a small play area at the far end) to reach Hollingworth Lake Visitor Centre, with toilets, a friendly café, and ice cream bar.

7. Continue ahead to arrive on the shore of Hollingworth Lake, where – a short way to the right – you can divert to The Wine Press, a bar and restaurant with gorgeous views from its inside and outside tables over the lake.

8. To continue, turn left along Rakewood Road, watching out for vehicles. In 600m or so, keep right at the fork to pass another play area and continue along the lakeside path.

9. Follow the path around a pretty inlet, with good views of water birds, to arrive at the Pavilion Café with its stunning watery views all around.

10. Now simply continue along the less well-made lakeshore path, which can be damp and uneven in places, but still with lovely views over the lake.

11. Pass The Beach, a large pub serving food, to arrive at the busy road, Lake Bank.

At this point, you’ve completed the main waterside walk, but why not turn right to enjoy the popular facilities? These include Mr Thomas’s Fish and Chip Restaurant, The Olive & Pickle Café and Kitchen, the Lake Lounge, the Riva Italian, Wallis’ Kitchen, Parlour and Arcade, and (with public toilets) the Lakeside Café by the water activity centre.

12. When you’re ready to finish the walk, simply head back to the junction by The Beach Pub and turn right up Smithybridge Road. Keep ahead at the mini-roundabout and in 500 metres you’ll arrive at Smithy Bridge Station for your train to Rochdale and Manchester.

To explore more of Greater Manchester’s green spaces and heritage, why not sample the GM Ringway, Greater Manchester’s WalkingTrail? You can also purchase the newly published OS Pathfinder guidebook to Greater Manchester, which includes 28 walks all over the region that can be reached by train, tram or bus.

Staying a Little Longer: Guide to Rochdale, Greater Manchester

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Rochdale Town Hall (Updated Image)

If you're making a weekend of it, there's plenty to see and do around Rochdale. 

Did you know Hollingworth Lake is home to a Caravan Park? It's the perfect set up if you're looking to discover a new place and fully immerse yourself in the area. 

Nearby, you can call in at Healey Dell Heritage Centre & Tea Rooms for a brew and something to eat, or sample local spirits and speciality coffee at Defiance Distillery & Mill About Coffee Shop. 

Back in the town centre, Vicolo Del Vino is a popular spot for a drink, while the recently restored Rochdale Town Hall is one of the town's most popular attractions and ideal for anyone interested in the borough's history and architecture. 

You can also discover the town's new mural trail, part of their Town of Culture 25-26 activity and the Common Walls Mural Festival. 

If you're staying overnight Hampton by Hilton Rochdale puts you within easy reach of the town centre, local attractions and transport links. 

Read More...

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