Local family days out by @wherewegoingmummy

Catherine Aspinall, a local mum of two lively children and an equally energetic pug, shares her top family day out ideas. With a love for exploring and the outdoors, Catherine and her family are always out and about, having fun adventures in Rochdale & the North West. Follow on Facebook & Instagram @wherewegoingmummy

FIREGROUND

Rochdale, OL11 1DN

Adults £7, children £5, under 4s free (family tickets £20)

The much anticipated new fire station museum - along with the brand new Fireground Cafe - finally opened on 14th August and for the fire engine fanatics amongst us (I know a few) it was worth the wait…

It is much different from the previous museum. For starters, you can now dress up as a firefighter and slide down a pole!

There are lots of different engines on show, from ancient to the present day, and other little artefacts to look at too. There's also interesting information to read about the Great Fire of London and The Blitz.

My favourite part (being the history geek I am) was obviously the old Victorian street section (although I was also partial to a bit of dressing up). The kids' favourite part was the interactive fire engine driving game where you have to make the correct decisions to save a lady from a flood and a cat from a tree!

The Fireground is open every Thursday, Friday and Saturday (10-4) and keep an eye out for extra events happening throughout the year.

PUTTSTARS

Rochdale Riverside, OL16 1BE

Prices starting from £4.30 but with a variety of deals available

I’ve loved crazy golf all my life and my son appears to have inherited this obsession. We’ve played many crazy golf courses and I did once possess the title of “Crazy Golf Champion of Agadir” (no word of a lie)… but still, Puttstars in Rochdale did not disappoint.

The holes were exciting and unusual, including a Ferris wheel, a bridge and a surfboard, and everything was so bright and clean. The scores were also done electronically so you didn’t have to carry a little wooden pencil and scorecard around with you (although I do quite like the baby pencils).

Food and drink was also available (including wine… which is often needed when dealing with kids with putters and golf balls).

Fun was had by all (and no one was knocked unconscious with a putter).

A good activity for a rainy day with three different courses to choose from and an arcade if you want some extra fun!

GAIA

Number One Riverside, OL16 1XU

FREE

Starting 11th November until Christmas Eve there will be a huge, spectacular, floating, rotating replica of the Earth 'in Rochdale.

We went to see Gaia back in 2019 when it was in Liverpool Cathedral and it really is quite a sight to behold.

Gaia will also be accompanied by a new surround sound musical composition so the whole experience should be quite awesome and inspiring, or even relaxing and meditative (if you are not going with my kids).

FLIP OUT

Near Tesco, OL11 3EX

Prices start at £5.95 for the trampoline park up to £14.95 for both the trampolines and inflatables. There is “Toddler Time” in term-time

For a whole lot of bouncing fun get yourself down to Flip Out! There are what feels like A MILLION trampolines plus towers to climb, buckaroos to ride, tumble tracks to charge down and a car to launch yourself off!

It’s a great place to let the kids run wild with guaranteed soft landings and without anything in your house getting broken!

SPARKS GYM TODDLER PLAY SESSIONS

Heywood, OL10 1PN

£4 per child (suitable for 6 years and under) Tuesday, Thursday & Friday between 9:30-12 and 1-3.

The toddler sessions at Sparks Gym are back! Here the kids can run riot on all the gymnastic equipment; balancing on beams, jumping on springboards and hanging off bars... EXACTLY like they have seen on the Olympics.

There’s also more play houses than you can shake a stick at, foam building blocks, a huge springy floor area and a few slides. Plus a little cafe for drinks and snacks.

WATERGROVE RESERVOIR

Wardle, Rochdale, OL12 9PL

FREE

Although parts of this walk are do-able with a pram, in order to get all the way round you will need a carrier. Similarly, only parts of this walk are suitable for kids’ bikes (as there are a variety of terrains including cobbles and steps).

Situated at the top of Wardle Village, Watergrove Reservoir offers spectacular views and is a dog's paradise (although watch out for deer!). Another plus is that there is a large free car park.

HEALEY STONES

Easiest access points - Road Lane (off Whitworth Rd) or top of Dewhirst Road (Syke)

Who knew there is a miniature Stonehenge in Rochdale? Standing not far from Brownhouse Wham Reservoir and Hamer Pasture Reservoir is the Healey Stone Circle. Large boulders to climb on or hide behind (for the kids) and the most stunning view (for you)!

PIETHORNE RESERVOIR

Ogden Lane, Newhey, OL16 3TQ

You have to park at the bottom of the road and walk upwards along the road for a while (but it’s a very quiet road). At the top you will see the path around Piethorne off to your left (with the very pretty gate).

There are other reservoirs lower down such as Ogden Reservoir but we chose Piethorne because of the circular, pram-friendly path (I love a circular route). However, there were a few gates which couldn’t fit the pram through and I was forced to be The Hulk and lift it over.

It's a lovely, child-friendly walk with beautiful views, a waterfall, woods (bluebells in the spring) and wildlife.