Guided Walks and Tours in the Borough of Rochdale 2015
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Find out more Set beneath hills and wild moorland at the edge of the Pennines, the borough’s beautiful landscape is dissected by tranquil waterways and lakes where you can explore a fascinating heritage. The borough of Rochdale includes the towns of Heywood, Littleborough and Middleton, each with their own unique flavour and attractions. Here you’ll enjoy a lovely area with beautiful historic gems. With award winning restaurants and bars, and surrounded by stunning countryside, the borough of Rochdale is a great place to discover. Based at Touchstones Rochdale, the Arts and Heritage Centre, our Visitor Information Centre’s friendly staff can provide you with information on local walks and tours, as well as events, attractions and accommodation. Our wide range of free leaflets, including walking trails, will help you explore Rochdale’s unique history at your leisure. You will also find a comprehensive range of regional and national holiday information and gift shop.
Visitor Information Centre, Touchstones Rochdale, The Esplanade, Rochdale OL16 1AQ 01706 924928 vic@link4life.org Open Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 5pm www.link4life.org/visit www.link4life.org/whatson
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Blue Badge Guided Walks 2 Saturday 20 June 2015
Saturday 25 July 2015
Smithybridge and Beyond
Blue Badge Guided Tour of Rochdale Town Hall
A Blue Badge Guided Walk from Smithybridge to Little Clegg and Clegg Hall along the Rochdale Canal. The area dates back to the 12th century and grew due to the opening of the Rochdale Canal and Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway in the 19th century. Venue: Meet at Smithybridge Railway Station car park, Smithybridge Road, Smithybridge, Rochdale Time: 1.30pm Duration: 1 ½ hours Price: £3.50 per person pre-booked Saturday 4 July 2015
An Inn Trail A Blue Badge Guided Trail with a tale about ale looking at historic pubs and inns signs around Rochdale Town Centre. Venue: Meet at Touchstones Rochdale, The Esplanade, Rochdale OL16 1AQ Time: 2pm Duration: 2 hours Price: £3.50 per person pre-booked
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Rochdale’s magnificent Grade 1 listed Town Hall is not only a stunning building, it also has a great story to tell about the growth of Rochdale and its’ place in the world. One of Rochdale’s Blue Badge Guides will tell this story whilst taking you on a tour of one of the finest Victorian Gothic town halls in the country. This is an opportunity to view Henry Holiday’s mural of the signing of the Magna Carta in this 800th anniversary year. Venue: Meet in Rochdale Town Hall foyer, The Esplanade, Rochdale OL16 1AB Time: 11am Duration: 2 hours Price: £4.50 per person pre-booked
2015 Saturday 1 August 2015
Saturday 15 August 2015
Blue Badge Guided Tour of Rochdale Town Hall
Spotland and the River Spodden
Rochdale’s magnificent Grade 1 listed Town Hall is not only a stunning building, it also has a great story to tell about the growth of Rochdale and its’ place in the world. One of Rochdale’s Blue Badge Guides will tell this story whilst taking you on a tour of one of the finest Victorian Gothic town halls in the country. This is an opportunity to view Henry Holiday’s mural of the signing of the Magna Carta in this 800th anniversary year.
Wool, cotton, dying and finishing contributed to a rapidly growing industrial community in the 19th century. Venue: Meet outside St Clement’s Parish Church, Willbutts Lane, (off Edenfield Road), Rochdale OL11 5BE Time: 1.30pm Duration: 2 hours Price: £3.50 per person pre-booked
Venue: Meet in Rochdale Town Hall foyer, The Esplanade, Rochdale OL16 1AB Time: 11am Duration: 2 hours Price: £4.50 per person pre-booked
Blue Badge Walks and Tours in this leaflet should be pre-booked by contacting
Rochdale Visitor Information Centre (Tuesday – Saturday 10am-5pm)
Call 01706 924928 or email vic@link4life.org
or in person at Touchstones Rochdale, The Esplanade, Rochdale, OL16 1AQ.
www.link4life.org/whatson
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Free Blue Badge Guided Walks Saturday 30 May, 27 June, 25 July, 19 September and 31 October 2015 Revealing the River Roch Tours Hidden for over a century, progress is underway to re-open the river to reveal the historic bridge and restore the river’s natural habitat. Find out about more about this exciting project as well as the history of the Town Centre. Venue: Meet in the foyer Touchstones Rochdale, The Esplanade, Rochdale OL16 1AQ Time: 2pm Duration: 1 hour Price: FREE, pre-booking essential
Saturday 12 September 2015 Heritage Open Days Heritage Town Trail A Blue Badge Guided Heritage Trail that will start and end at Touchstones Rochdale where you will learn about Rochdale’s architectural heritage; gain insight into how the town became world famous as the birthplace of the world-wide Co-operative Movement and can reflect on what life was like in Rochdale in the 19th century. The walk will include some steep inclines and some steps. Venue: Meet in the foyer Touchstones Rochdale, The Esplanade, Rochdale OL16 1AQ Time: 2pm Duration: 1 ½ hours Price: FREE, pre-booking essential
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Rochdale Ghost Walks Rochdale Ghost Walks, organised by Colin Meredith and Russell Richardson take place on the first and third Thursday each month. Ghostly tales and murderous deeds from Rochdale’s past will chill you to the core on these evening walks through narrow alleyways and hidden courtyards. After the walk you can warm yourself in the cosy surroundings of award winning ‘Real Ale’ pub, The Baum. Ghost walks are suitable for adults and children. All children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Venue: Meet at the Baum, 33-37 Toad Lane, Rochdale OL12 ONU Time: 7.30pm-9pm (approximately 90 minutes) Price: £5pp (all classes) Enquiries: 07774152620 or refer to www. rochdaleghostwalks.co.uk. No need to book, just turn up, however, group bookings for over 10 people are necessary.
Rochdale Town Hall Tours Rochdale Town Hall is regarded as one of the finest Victorian town halls in Britain. A guided tour explains the importance of Rochdale in the 19th and 20th centuries as well as showing the magnificence of this Grade1 listed building. You can marvel at the wonderful architecture, immense yourself in the building’s history and even take a look at the Mayor’s Parlour. Tours take place on the last Friday of each month at 2.15pm. Price: £4.50 per person Duration: 2 hours Enquiries: For bookings and more information, call 01706 924775. www.link4life.org/whatson
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Middleton Golden Cluster Month Throughout September, Middleton’s three medieval buildings of St Leonard’s Parish Church, The Queen Elizabeth 1st Grammar School and The Olde Boar’s Head, together with the Edgar Wood Centre, will be open free of charge from 1pm – 4pm on Tuesdays and Fridays (with the exception of the Queen Elizabeth 1st Grammar School which will open on Tuesdays only) for visitors to learn about the town’s historic past. Knowledgeable volunteers will share information about each building and where it fits into Middleton’s rich story. Details are available from Rochdale Visitor Information Centre, Touchstones Rochdale on 01706 924928 (Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm) or email: vic@link4life.org