Explore Rochdale

Rochdale is a town full of culture, creativity, and community spirit. Known for its rich history and vibrant present, Rochdale offers a diverse range of attractions and activities.

Rich History and Cultural Gems

Rochdale boasts a robust calendar of events, from the Feel Good Music Festival to Ignite Fire Festival, and Feel Good Family Picnics. The magnificent Town Hall and the vibrant Drake Street showcase the town’s heritage. Enjoy cosy folk nights or explore inspiring museums and small theatre spaces.

Outdoor Adventures

Rochdale is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts with key beauty spots like Hollingworth Lake, Blackstone Edge, and a network of reservoirs and canals. These spots offer sailing, watersports, hiking, cycling, and more. There are also campsites and glamping pods for those who love the fresh air and adventure.

Food and Drink

The town features a host of eateries, from traditional pub grub to South Asian cuisine on Milkstone Road. Enjoy local favourites like The Baum and The Flying Horse, or visit new hotspots like Spotland Mills with its microbreweries and gin distilleries.

Family-Friendly Activities

Rochdale offers a range of family-friendly attractions, including parks, ten-pin bowling, golf, cinemas, and the East Lancashire Railway. Engage in art clubs, theatre groups, and circus arts, or explore museums like the Rochdale Pioneers Museum and Touchstones.

Shopping

The historic streets of Rochdale’s town centres are perfect for shopping. From high street names to independent shops, markets, and cafes, there's something for everyone. The Pennines provide a beautiful backdrop to Littleborough's historic centre, ideal for finding unique gifts.

Whether you’re a history buff, outdoor adventurer, food lover, or family, Rochdale has something to offer everyone. Visit Rochdale and experience its rich culture and community spirit.

Things to do in Rochdale

Hopwood Clough

Centred on Hopwood Hall College, Middleton Hopwood Nature Reserve near Middleton provides a woodland…

What's on in Rochdale

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Totally Tina 20 Sep 2024

Totally Tina

Come shake a tail feather with the UK’s supreme Tina tribute – Justine Riddoch…

Crooners 21 Sep 2024

Crooners

Packed with personality and humour, Crooners has been wowing audiences with its witty and…

Pop Forever 06 Oct 2024

Pop Forever

Join in at the POP FOREVER concert and celebrate the music of our Modern day POP…

Julius Caesar 10 Oct 2024

Julius Caesar

Concerned that Caesar poses a threat to democracy, revolutionaries take the violent decision to…

Luke Combs UK 02 Feb 2025

Luke Combs UK

The World’s leading tribute to the Grammy-nominated country megastar Luke Combs! Get ready to…

Disco Inferno 22 Feb 2025

Disco Inferno

Ok all you crazy cats, who’s ready for the funkiest get down in town? For all those who…

Where to stay in Rochdale

Located next to the Rochdale Riverside shopping and leisure development, the hotel features a state-of-the-art fitness centre, complete with Peloton bikes, and a food and drinks offering housed in the stylish lobby area. The hotel contains bright, modern guestrooms, high speed wi-fi and the…

Fernhill B&B

Fernhill B&B offers luxury and tranquillity, that prides itself in providing quality service and…

Fielden Farm

A traditional Pennine hill farm set in 36 acres below the dramatic rocky skyline of Blackstone Edge…

The Rake

This beautiful grade II listed building, located in a rural setting, provides accommodation…

Where to eat and drink in Rochdale

Bull's Head

Real ale pub with food in the Piethorne Valley. Good start and finish point for Piethorne Valley…

Ship Inn

A small real ale pub with hand drawn pumps, on the banks of the Rochdale Canal with stunning…

The Baum

Situated next door to the Co-Op Museum on Toad Lane, The Baum opened its doors in the early 1980s as…

The Summit

The Summit is situated on the border of Oldham and Rochdale in a residential area. Being big on…

Rochdale blogs

Get Planning For The Rochdale Feel Good Festival

Rochdale Feel Good Festival: A Weekend of Music, Culture, and Community Get ready for a weekend of fabulous entertainment as the Rochdale Feel Good Festival takes over Rochdale town centre from Friday, 9 August to Sunday, 11 August 2024. With a blend of live music, food, and family-friendly…

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Festival of Libraries returns for 2024

133 libraries taking part ~ free events programme ~ Wednesday 12 June to Sunday 16 June 2024 Manchester City of Literature is preparing to celebrate the joy of libraries with Greater Manchester and the world when the Festival of Libraries takes place from Wednesday 12 to Sunday 16 June 2024.

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Rochdale Town Hall reopens to the public

More than 2,500 people joined in the celebrations as Rochdale Town Hall reopened its doors to the public for the first time in four years this weekend. Thousands of visitors from all different walks of life packed into the Grade I listed building, eager to see the results of The National Lottery…

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Get ready for the 10th edition of the Manchester Film Festival!

Grab some popcorn because it’s just one month until the BIGGEST cinema celebration in the North West – the 10th edition of the Manchester Film Festival! This year promises to be truly unforgettable as we bring you an exclusive lineup of films never before seen in Manchester but which have dazzled…

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Multi - million pound revamp of Rochdale Town Hall unveiled

The restoration of one of the North West’s finest historic buildings has been unveiled, with Rochdale Town Hall set to reopen to the public in a matter of weeks. The project, which was supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund with an £8.9m grant, has transformed the iconic Grade I Listed…

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Rochdale to light up with new Fire Festival

The countdown to Christmas begins in Rochdale later this month with a spectacular new two day event and magical family entertainment leading up to the lights switch-on. ‘Ignite’ Fire Festival will transform the gardens opposite Rochdale Town Hall from Saturday 25 to Sunday 26 November with two free…

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Guide to Arts and Culture in Greater Manchester

Galleries, theatres and museums are a big reason to visit Manchester. Permanent collections, temporary exhibitions, famous names, well-loved plays and local or global artefacts offer a window to the world. But wouldn’t it be nice to do more than just look out of a window? Even Da Vinci needed…

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Walking Routes in Greater Manchester

Greater Manchester is fit to burst with walking routes and trails, so we've put together a round-up of some of the best, with easy-to-use downloadable trail maps. Whether it's an easy family walk, a strenuous 5k or a picturesque dog walk you're looking for, these walks near Manchester mean you have…

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Where is Rochdale