days out
ALKRINGTON WOODS
HEALEY STONES
BAITINGS RESERVOIR
M24 4EA Easiest access point- top of Hall Drive (Middleton)
Easiest access points- Road Lane (off Whitworth Rd) or top of Dewhirst Road (Syke)
HX6 4RF Car park just off the A58, near Ripponden
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)!
Another one of our favourite reservoir walks, a 1.5 mile circular route on a new pram-friendly, bike-friendly path. There’s often places where you can throw stones into the water, there are benches to stop for snacks and my little boy says that the “bridge” (aka the dam wall) is exciting to walk across!
Alkrington Woods has it all… tall trees to climb, lakes to throw stones in, dens to hide in, bridges to cross, makeshift swings to play on and a lovely looking mansion house to admire! Quite a lot of it is also pram and bike friendly, to make your life a bit easier (although not all of it is). At the minute there is also a dinosaur trail to follow, with 10 dinosaurs to find!
Catherine Aspinall, a local mum of two lively children and an equally energetic pug, shares her top family day out ideas, all with social distancing in mind. 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
IRON WATERS
BRIDESTONES
WITHENS CLOUGH RESERVOIR
Easiest access points- the top of Dewhirst Road (Syke) or off Rydings Road (Smallbridge).
OL14 8SA Parking available in a lay-by on Eastwood Road (Todmorden) or in the parking space on Kebs Road (Todmorden) Accessibility for all ages (but not the pram) Distinct lack of visitors so perfect for social distancing
HX7 5TA Small car park at the top of Rudd Lane (Cragg Vale)
If you turn left (east) from the top of Dewhirst Road you will come across the Healey Stone Circle (with a bit of exploring), but if you turn right (west) you can venture down into the cutest of valleys, with a tiny stream to paddle in and acres of greenery to picnic on! If you follow the path along the side of the stream you will find more fields, flowers and forests, and you will eventually come out next to Rydings Dam in Smallbridge (which is somewhere else you can then explore).
14 | Rochdale Style
A fabulous pile of rocks on a moor, perfect for climbing up, scrambling on and hiding between the nooks and crannies. It made the best hide and seek setting for little ones, but older children (or even rock-climbing experts) could have fun here too! Take care on cold or windy days though, as it's very exposed.
Short enough for little legs, ok (although not ideal) for bikes and with the all-important stone throwing opportunities Withens Clough Reservoir is now up there with our favourite walks. Even the drive up to the reservoir is cute, with an old hall, posh house and stream, like something out of Wind in the Willows! There is also a (clearly signposted) route from Withens Clough Reservoir up to Stoodley Pike, which looked significantly less steep than the route we took.
