Parks and open spaces

Between the towns and villages which make up Rochdale Borough are vast expanses of open space and breathtaking countryside waiting for you to discover.

Details of parks and open spaces are available below; use the links in the main navigation for more pages in this section. All the parks and open spaces are FREE of any charge for both residents and visitors to enjoy.

Places to visit

Alkrington Woods, Middleton

Parking and access from Manchester Old Road A576. Tel: 01706 373421

Ashworth and Naden Valleys

Access via Bury Old Road, Simpson Clough or from A680 opposite Owd Betts. Tel: 01706 350459

Blackstone Edge And Roman Road  

A58 Halifax Road. Tel: 01706 373421

Bowlee Community Park

Heywood Old Road, Middleton. Tel: 01706 373421

Broadfield Park, Rochdale

St Alban's Street, off Drake Street. Tel: 07800 672396 (Park Warden)

Broadfield Park 

Falinge Park, Rochdale

Falinge Road, Rochdale. Tel: 0845 226 1800

Harehill Park, Littleborough

Hare Hill Road, Littleborough. Tel: 07976 059550 (Park Warden)

Hare Hill Park

Memorial Park, Milnrow

Newhey Road Milnrow. Tel: 07976 059550 (Park Warden)

Healey Dell Nature Reserve

Rochdale, signposted from A671 Rochdale-Bacup Road and from B6377 opposite Healey Hotel. Tel: 01706 350459

Healey Dell Nature Reserve

Hollingworth Lake Country Park

Rakewood Road, Littleborough. Tel: 01706 373421

Hopwood Clough, Middleton

Access from Rochdale Road A664

Jubilee Park, Middleton

Long Street, Middleton. Tel: 0845 226 1800

Piethorne Valley

Rangers Office, Waterworks Road, Ogden, Newhey. Tel: 01706 881049

Queen's Park, Heywood

Queen's Park Road, Heywood. Tel: 07976 059534 (Park Warden)

Queen's Park, Heywood

Rochdale Canal

Recreational opportunities across the Borough include delightful towpath walks, fishing and canoeing.

Springfield Park, Rochdale

A58 Bolton Road, Rochdale. Tel: 0845 226 1800

Summit Gorge

A6033 Todmorden Road. Parking at Summit Quarry, behind Summit Inn. Tel: 01706 373421

Three Owls Bird Sanctuary

Hutchinson Road, Norden, off the A680 Blackburn Road at Edenfield Road Bus Terminus. Tel: 01706 642162

Watergrove Reservoir

Trapp Farm Car Park, Ramsden Road, Wardle. Tel: 01706 379060

Walks and trails

• Guided walks
• Booking information
• Health walks
• Pennine bridleway
• Rochdale Way

There are many other parks, walks, tours and trails to suit all tastes including the 50 mile circular Rochdale Way. Cyclists and horse riders have not been forgotten with the many public bridleways which criss-cross the area, and the national trail the Pennine Bridleway.

Take time out to enjoy the wildlife and beauty of Hollingworth Lake, the tranquillity of Healey Dell Nature Reserve or saunter along Rochdale Canal.

Rochdale's dramatic location on the edge of the Pennines offers the visitor spectacular views of open moorland while to the south and west are pleasant rivers valleys, woodlands and meadows.

For any further information, please get in touch using the details in the contacts section of this page.