The borough of Rochdale blossomed with success at this year’s North West in Bloom awards, celebrating a bumper year achieving 21 gold awards and 8 overall category wins.
The outstanding results were announced at the annual awards ceremony at the Toughsheet Community Stadium in Bolton on Thursday, 30 October 2026, following Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) judges visiting in the summer. The awards recognise the borough’s success in horticulture, environmental responsibility, recycling, biodiversity, cleanliness and community participation.
Following the outstanding gold achievement and scooping the overall Town Centres and City Centres title at the recent Royal Horticultural Society Britain in Bloom awards, Rochdale town centre’s horticulturists remained on their winning streak taking gold and best in category for both their Small City and Town Centre entries in the local in bloom awards.
Rochdale in Bloom treasurer Phil Massey also received an outstanding contribution award for his significant work supporting Rochdale’s success in both national and local efforts.
Baillie Street Quarter won the new Best Art in the Community award for outstanding artwork from the recent Common Walls International Mural Festival, organised by talented local artist Hayley Garner (Ayo). Rochdale BID also secured gold and won the Best Business Improvement District (BID) category, adding to Rochdale’s achievements following its designation as Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture for 2025/26.
Hampton by Hilton hotel entered for the first time this year, taking gold and category winner, alongside a gold for nearby Norton Grange hotel in the Large Accommodation category.
Over in Heywood, the town centre took gold thanks to council teams and dedicated Heywood in Bloom volunteers. Heywood Distribution Park once again took gold and overall category winner in the commercial category with Stakehill BID in Middleton earning a respectable silver gilt in the same category. Norden in Bloom also remained on top as the town retained a worthy gold status.
Pennines highlights included Hollingworth Lake Country Park retaining gold and winning the Large Tourist Attraction category again. Littleborough improved to gold in Large Town, as did Wardle Village in its category, while Pennines in Bloom retained gold. Healey Dell tea rooms served up another impressive gold, also named as Small Tourist Attraction overall winner which for them was the cherry on the cake.
Queen’s Park, Hare Hill Park, Milnrow Park, Stanney Brook Park and Jubilee Park in Norden all won gold in their respective categories, highlighting the importance of residents’ access to beautiful green spaces.
Councillor Tricia Ayrton, deputy leader and cabinet member for climate change and environment at Rochdale Borough Council, said:
“Another outstanding achievement for our borough. Building on Rochdale’s Britain in Bloom success, the council’s environmental management teams, volunteers, businesses and schools have excelled again at the North West awards. The judges’ praise reminds us how much we have to be proud of.”
“These awards celebrate our shared achievements. Beyond beautiful flower displays and clean town centres, they recognise our town pride and strong partnerships, giving us all reason to be proud of where we live. Well done and heartfelt thanks to everyone involved.”