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 Baillie Street Quarter 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.

This is Rochdale

Things to do in Rochdale

Attractions 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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Shilpa Gupta: You are the Place 18 Jul 2025 - 20 Jul 2025

Shilpa Gupta: You are the Place

Artist Shilpa Gupta connects and collects stories with different communities to create a…

Summer fun at Rochdale Town Hall 18 Jul 2025 - 20 Aug 2025

Summer fun at Rochdale Town Hall

Looking for fun ways to keep the whole family entertained this summer? Rochdale Town Hall has you…

The Big Dig 18 Jul 2025 -

The Big Dig

Get hands on with history in a major archaeological dig on the Broadfield Slopes. Who knows, you may…

Don't Stop Queen Now 19 Jul 2025 -

Don't Stop Queen Now

Tonight, you're gonna have yourself a real good time! After 2023's triumphant sold out show…

15 Steps to Mindfulness Training Course 24 Jul 2025 - 28 Aug 2025

15 Steps to Mindfulness Training Course

6-Week Mindfulness Training Program (12 Hours- 2 hours per month over 6 months). Transform your life…

The American Four Tops 25 Jul 2025 -

The American Four Tops

The only American tribute to the four tops touring the UK! Direct from the USA, and back by popular…

The Dinosaur That Pooped A Rock Show! 27 Jul 2025 -

The Dinosaur That Pooped A Rock Show!

Brand New for 2025! When Danny and Dino’s favourite rock band are playing their last ever…

Feel Good Family Picnic 2025 29 Jul 2025 - 01 Aug 2025

Feel Good Family Picnic 2025

With school holidays upon us the Feel Good Family Picnic is back this summer with amazing free days…

Summer Family Fun Day 03 Aug 2025 -

Summer Family Fun Day

Family fun day at the fire museum. Fire engines old and new, fair rides, model exhibition, drag race…

Circle of Light Angel Reiki Group Meditation 07 Aug 2025 - 04 Sep 2025

Circle of Light Angel Reiki Group Meditation

First Thursday of Every Month, 3 PM – 5 PM @ The Lodge Join Jane Elisabeth of Wings of Divine…

Northern Live 05 Sep 2025 -

Northern Live

The world’s greatest and most authentic touring live band Northern Soul show, keeping the…

The Opera Boys 20 Sep 2025 -

The Opera Boys

The Opera Boys return with a brand new show featuring the biggest songs from the West End and…

Rude Science Live! 18 Oct 2025 -

Rude Science Live!

Rude Science Live The naughtiest, funniest, most revolting science show in the world. Brace…

The Olde Boars Head x Alkrington Alternative Market 18 Oct 2025 -

The Olde Boars Head x Alkrington Alternative Market

Something Wicked This Way Comes… The Olde Boar's Head X Alkrington Alternative Market…

Jason Manford: A Manford All Seasons 04 Nov 2025 -

Jason Manford: A Manford All Seasons

Jason Manford is back with his brand-new live show, A Manford All Seasons. Jason’s been…

West End Tenors 16 May 2026 -

West End Tenors

Leading men from London’s West End combine in a powerhouse of vocal talent. After selling out arenas…

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

The Oxford is a proudly family-run pub at the foot of the Pennines with a reputation for great food, warm service and an impressive events program all year long. Celebrating its thirteenth incredible year, the McNeeney family and their team have transformed this once struggling pub into a…

Amor

AMOR is Rochdale’s newest gem. They pride themselves on their modern Indian dishes, with an…

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 Red Lion

The Red Lion is a countryside destination pub serving local ale, fresh food and indulging in the odd…

The Summit

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

Vinesteins

Vinesteins receives nothing but high praise and are a hidden gem located on The Walk in Rochdale…

The Oxford

The Oxford is a proudly family-run pub at the foot of the Pennines with a reputation for great food…

Rochdale blogs

Your Ultimate Guide to Summer Events in Greater Manchester

Summer's here - and so is a packed calendar of events across Greater Manchester's ten boroughs. From food festivals and free family fun to live gigs and cultural celebrations, there's something going on in every corner of the city-region. Whether you're planning a weekend visit, a day out with the…

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A Guide to spending 48 hours in Rochdale

Rochdale has become one to watch as this up-and-coming town just a 12-minute train ride from Victoria Station is gaining recognition for its array of historic and cultural gems. Voted the greenest borough within Greater Manchester for its abundance of award-winning parks and open spaces such as…

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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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Where is Rochdale