Days Out: Top picnic & paddling spots

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

PICNIC IN THE PARK

HAREHILL PARK, LITTLEBOROUGH (OL15 9BG)

• There are places to park on Inglis Street, Sale Street and Town House Road, but please be mindful of residents

Our favourite park, whatever the weather, is Harehill Park… but it’s even better in the summer when you can sit and enjoy a picnic (as well as the view).

It is such a pretty park, with lots of things to explore, including an old waterwheel and the grave of a monkey! You will find paths suitable for bikes and scooters and also spaces suitable for ball games or frisbees.

There are two playgrounds, one aimed at younger children, including a cute fake road, and one for older children, complete with a skate park.

To make your picnic even more fun, there will be brass bands playing on 6th August and 3rd September!

The Feel Good Family Picnic arrives in Harehill Park on Thursday 27th July 11am to 4pm. Visitors to the free family events will be able to experience over 20 amazing different attractions, including live performances, music, theatre, sports and shows for children of all ages.

QUEENS PARK, HEYWOOD (OL10 4AL)

• There is a car park opposite the entrance on Queens Park Road

Another fabulous park is Queens Park in Heywood. The kids especially like the castle themed playground and the BMX track, but there is also a large lake to see, complete with lots of different birds, often a land train to ride and a large stage to perform on (if you so wish…)

The Feel Good Family picnic arrives in Queens Park on Friday 28 July 11am to 4pm.

DENEHURST PARK, SPOTLAND (OL11 5AF)

• There is a small car park next to Denehurst Stores on Edenfield Road

Again, only a small park, but a good one! It has a little playground, including a separate toddler area, and also a perimeter park to walk road or bike road… but beware of the trolls hiding under the bridge!

On Sunday 20th August the Denehurst Park Dog Show will make a return so why not enter your dog to show off its best tricks!

PADDLE & EXPLORE

EALEES

• The nearest car park is the pay and display at OL15 0AQ

• In the car park you will find the new Woodlands Café and also a small playground

Whilst everyone knows about Hollingworth Lake, not everyone realises that if you head slightly off the beaten track you will find a much quieter, but equally as beautiful, place… Ealees.

Follow the lane to the bottom of the car park, and carry on then turn left onto the path. Here you will find a dipping pond to investigate, a charming woodland area to explore and some picnic benches to relax on. If you carry on along the path, and cross the “troll bridge”, you will then find a cute little stream to dip your feet in, or simply throw stones, and lots of green space to play.

The path follows Hollingworth Brook and Ealees Brook all the way into Littleborough, which is about a mile, so it makes for a lovely little stroll through the countryside. It is even pram friendly, if not a little bumpy!

CHEESDEN VALLEY

• The nearest place to park would be the lay-by close to Owd Betts pub (OL12 7TY)

If you head away from Owd Betts, towards Edenfield, you will see a small opening in the wall on your left. If you climb over the stile and then follow the path down into the valley, you will stumble across the ruins of an old mill. The waterfall next to the mill falls into Cheesden Brook, and this can be explored and splashed in. A delightful hidden gem!

IRON WATERS

• You could park at the top of Dewhirst Road in Syke (OL12 0AG), but be mindful of residents, or park on Rydings Road (OL12 9PS) and follow the marked footpath across the fields

Hidden away to the north of Rochdale, the tiny Fanny Brook offers paddling opportunities for even the smallest of adventurers. There are also small hills to venture up (and roll down) and trees to climb (or even swing from if you are lucky). For bigger explorers, you can walk up to the Healey Stone Circle from here or check out Hamer Pasture and Brown House Wham reservoirs.