Hollingworth Lake
Hollingworth Lake is the North West's favourite
picnic site!
We're delighted our very own local treasure, Hollingworth
Lake, is officially the North West's favourite picnic site! Thanks
to everyone to voted for us!
The search for the nation's favourite picnic spot is being run
by bread maker Warburtons as part of National Bread Week.
Check out what's going on at the wonderful country park!
About Hollingworth Lake
On the outskirts of Littleborough, about 4
miles from Rochdale, Hollingworth Lake was built in 1804 to supply
water to the Rochdale canal.
The lake and its surrounding countryside
offers a wide range of leisure and recreational activities.
Visitor Centre
The visitor centre on Rakewood Road has a small museum,
toilets, cafe, refreshment and gift shop.
Parking
Pay and display parking is available at the visitor centre.
Water Activity
Centre
Our leisure and culture trust company offer a range of
activities for all abilities including:
- Sailing
- Windsurfing
- Kayak/Canoeing
- Climbing
- Walking
- Orienteering
- Powerboating
- Improvised Raft Building
- Team Building courses
Find out more at the Link4Life website
Watersports equipment
All of our Sailing, Windsurfing, Kayaking and Canoeing equipment
is available for hire to suitably qualified and/or experienced
individuals or groups. For details of pre-requisite qualifications
or experience please contact the centre.
Boat trips
Our 34-foot passenger boat, the Lady Alice, continues a long
tradition of passenger boats on Hollingworth Lake. The Lady Alice
runs every Saturday and Sunday afternoon throughout the season
(Easter-September) and also on weekday afternoons during the school
summer holidays. We operate full trips around the lake lasting
20-25 minutes and half trips across the lake (depending upon water
levels).
Find out more about boat trips on the Link4Life
website
Boat hire
Rowing boats are available for hire on Saturday and Sunday
afternoons from April - September and on weekday afternoons
throughout the school summer holidays, depending upon weather
conditions (please contact the Centre regarding rowing boat
availability to avoid disappointment).
Fishing
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.
Walks
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.
Bird watching
You can see a variety of water fowl on the lake. A
small hide at the South West corner overlooks a natural area
where boats and watersports are excluded.