Countryside - visitor centres
Hollingworth Lake Country Park and Visitor Centre
Hollingworth Lake Country Park provides the perfect gateway to
the outstandingly beautiful open moorlands of the South Pennine
area.
Lying at the foot of Blackstone Edge, there are a wide variety
of footpaths and trails exploring the surrounding countryside. A
regular programme of guided walks, cycle trips and outdoor
activities are organised by our Countryside Service with
something for all abilities.
The one-and-a-half mile walk around the lake is an easy and
relaxing stroll. Call into the bird hide to view the wide variety
of birdlife in the nature reserve and there are picnic and play
areas along the route.
The lake is stocked with coarse fish, including bream, carp,
tench, roach and perch. There is no close season but there are
restrictions on where you can fish and permits are sold from the
Visitor Centre.
Healey Dell Nature Reserve and Visitor Centre
Healey Dell is a beauty spot and wildlife sanctuary rich in
industrial archaeology, two miles from Rochdale town centre on the
way to Whitworth and Bacup.
The River Spodden has carved its way through the woodlands down
the thousands of years, creating delightful scenery and spectacular
waterfalls which once powered ancient corn, wool and cotton
mills.
A disused 1800s railway line is now a nature trail with
magnificent views from a 100-foot high viaduct.
The Visitor Centre has a permanent exhibition on the industrial
heritage of the Reserve.