days out
MANDALE PARK BMX TRACK Rochdale (use OL11 4JQ for parking) It would be a bit of a workout with a pram! FREE I noticed what looked like a bike track on the side of the dual carriageway in Rochdale (just up from Asda) a while ago but have only just gotten round to investigating properly. It’s SO much bigger than I imagined it would be - I wish we had gone sooner! Perfect for balance bike practice.
COWM PARK RESERVOIR Whitworth, OL12 8BE Totally love this little reservoir up in Whitworth. It has all the essentials - a flat, pram-friendly, bike-friendly, circular path and access to the water to throw stones (I don't ask for much in life). Tree planting schemes have encouraged plenty of birds and wildlife to the area.
ROCHDALE CANAL We usually get on it around OL15 8QF or OL15 8QF and head north-east FREE Good for prams and pooches love a walk along the canal It is really quite pretty! The children love to spot different ducks and see the bridges and the locks.
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
PANOPTICAN 1 - HALO
PANOPTICAN 2 - THE ATOM
PANOPTICAN 3 - THE SINGING RINGING TREE
Haslingden, BB4 5AD About half an hour from Rochdale A carrier would probably be best on the uneven ground.
Just off Lancashire Moor Road, Laneshawbridge (near Colne). 45 minutes from Rochdale. You could take a pram, but are best off with a carrier so you can do further exploring.
Burnley, BB11 3QZ 25 minutes from Rochdale Probably pram-able, but may be more comfortable in a carrier.
The Panopticons are four unique pieces of art scattered around the Lancashire landscape, each offering impressive views. They provide good, free locations for a walk and are great for evoking children's imaginations. Standing on an old quarry, Halo overlooks the Rossendale valley. There isn’t much else up by the Halo, but this just further adds to the feeling that it is actually an UFO landing on a desolate planet! 16 | Rochdale Style
I think The Atom might be our favourite Panopticon, although it didn’t really remind me of an atom, more like a hobbit hole! The views were lovely, especially Pendle Hill rising up in the distance. After playing hide and seek around The Atom, we took the path to the right which takes you down to Wycoller village, complete with ruins, a stream and a fairy trail!
The singing ringing tree is such as unusual (and musical) sculpture, which offers views all over Burnley. It whistles in the wind or can be played with sticks! It is only a short walk from where you park to the “tree”, but you could easily do much longer walks in the area or head to Towneley or Thompson Park.
