Discover Rochdale's Stories and Places
Your guide to the best walks, pubs, food, and history across Rochdale, Littleborough, Heywood, Middleton, Milnrow and beyond.
Rochdale is a place of firsts. The birthplace of the co-operative movement, the home of rolling hills, proud mills and voices that carry. It’s a borough with grit in its stone and green in its valleys, where moorland meets market square. Some see only the headlines, but locals know it’s a place that’s changing while keeping its soul. Whether you’re here for a hike, a pint, a bit of history or just to see what’s beyond the M60, Rochdale has plenty to show you.
Salford at a Glance
-
Top picks for: Pennine walks, historic pubs, waterfalls, markets, curry houses, music venues
-
Easy access from: Manchester, Halifax, Oldham, Burnley
-
Local legends: Lisa Stansfield, the Rochdale Pioneers, Rochdale AFC
-
Underrated gem: Watergrove Reservoir - dramatic views with the ruins of old farms around its edges
Must-Visit Places in Rochdale
Explore some of Towns of Rochdale
Littleborough
Nestled against the Pennines, perfect for walking, canal boating and pub lunches.
Heywood
Former industrial town with a proud rugby league club and local markets.
Middleton
Full of history, Samuel Bamford’s hometown, Edgar Wood’s architecture, and green spaces like Alkrington Woods.
Milnrow
Gateway to the moors, with trails leading straight out onto open hillsides.
Wardle
Quiet village charm with direct access to Watergrove Reservoir.
Whitworth
On the edge of Lancashire, known for its heritage trails and annual Rushcart Festival.
Where to Eat in Rochdale & Beyond
Riva Italian
43 Lake Bank, Littleborough, OL15 0DQ
Traditional Italian food in beautiful surroundings overlooking Hollingworth lake
SiRo’ Mangia & Bevi Café
Rochdale Town Centre
A café-restaurant hybrid that’s earned high praise for relaxed, neighbourhood meals and solid portion sizes.
Bombay Brew
1 Drake St, Rochdale OL16 1RE
Award-winning craft beer and Indian street food, right in the heart of town.
The Waterside Restaurant
1 Inghams Lane, Rochdale OL15 0AY
Lakeside dining with a strong menu of steaks, seafood and seasonal dishes.
Olive & Pickle
23 Lake Bank
Littleborough
OL15 0DQ
Family-run spot by the lake, serving hearty breakfasts, stone-baked pizzas and Sunday roasts.
The Pavilion Café
Healey Dell Nature Reserve, OL12 6BG
The Pavilion is a one-off Bistro set uniquely within the picturesque Birtle Brook Village, perfect for a tea and cake stop mid-walk.
Where to Drink in Rochdale & Beyond
The Baum
33-37 Toad Ln, Rochdale OL12 0NU
Popular pub serving real ales, an extensive list of bottled beers and a no-nonsense bar menu.
The Red Lion
Whitworth Square, Whitworth, OL12 8PY
Popular stop for walkers and bikers heading into the Pennines. Great cask ales.
The Flying Horse Hotel
37 Packer St, Rochdale OL16 1NJ
Offering at least eight rotating cask ales each week. A regular in the Good Beer Guide since 2002
Middleton Archer
Kemp St, Middleton, Manchester M24 4UA
Locally loved pub with regular events, decent food and a strong sense of community.
The White House
Halifax Road Blackstone Edge, Littleborough, OL15 0LG
Historic moorland pub perched high above Hollingworth Lake. Famous for its roaring fires, hearty food and breathtaking views across the Pennines.
The Moorcock Inn
Halifax Road, Littleborough, OL15 0LD
Historic country inn featured in the Good Pub Guide. Located in the open countryside at the foot of the Pennines and close to Hollingworth Lake.
Co-operation, Canals and Community
The Spirit that Built Rochdale
Rochdale gave the world something that changed it forever: the co-operative movement. In 1844, a group of working men opened a humble shop on Toad Lane. They pooled their money, sold fair goods at fair prices, and laid down principles that would ripple across the globe. That spirit of looking out for one another still runs through the borough today.
The old mills and canals tell their own stories. Once blackened with smoke, they’re now home to artists, brewers and new businesses. The hills haven’t changed, though. They still rise above the town, green and wide, a reminder of where it all began.
Rochdale doesn’t shout. It works, it walks, it creates. From community markets to music nights in old pubs, from moorland hikes to the sound of boots on cobbles, this is a borough that wears its history with pride while moving forward in its own way.
Recommended Walk: Hollingworth Lake to Summit
Start with a lap of the lake, then follow the Pennine Bridleway up toward Summit and The Red Lion for a well-earned pint. Views stretch out across Littleborough and over into Yorkshire on a clear day.
Insider Tips
-
Try a pint at The Baum, it’s CAMRA famous for a reason
-
Rushcart Festival in Whitworth is one of the quirkiest events in Greater Manchester
-
Watergrove Reservoir is stunning at sunrise, with old farm ruins to explore
-
Tandle Hill is the place to go for big skies and a proper lungful of fresh air
Plan Your Visit
Rochdale is a mix of valleys, mills and voices that matter. It’s proud of its roots but not stuck in them. If you give it a day, you’ll find stories in every street, green space just minutes from the market, and a welcome that’s as real as they come. This is a borough with history in its hands and open hills at its back.
Community Question
Is there a hidden gem near you more people should know about?