What to do and see in Rochdale, England: The Best Free Things to do

March 11, 2022 Vivienne Hutton

Rochdale /ˈrɒtʃdeɪl/ is a town in Greater Manchester, England, at the foothills of the South Pennines on the River Roch, 5.3 miles (8.5 km) northwest of Oldham and 9.8 miles (15.8 km) northeast of Manchester. It is the administrative centre of the Metropolitan Borough of Rochdale, which had a population of 211,699 in 2011.
Restaurants in Rochdale

1. Saint Edmunds Church

Edmund Street, Rochdale OL12 6QF England +44 121 777 2433 [email protected] http://www.friendsofstedmunds.org.uk
Excellent
85%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 13 reviews

Saint Edmunds Church

St. Edmund’s is a Grade1 listed church that is no longer used for regular worship but remains a consecrated church and is vested in the care of the churches conservation trust and looked after in partnership with the friends of St. Edmund’s church . St. Edmund’s is a unique historic building built by a wealthy Freemason and is full of fascinating symbolism a true historic jewel set within a diamond plot regular events and open days as well as guided tours are available the building remains free to enter but fundraising to keep this beautiful historic space open to the public is vital the church is open every first and third Saturday of the month and also open by arrangement by contacting either the friends or the CCT

Reviewed By 948tonyw948 - Manchester, United Kingdom

this church is well worth a look around all the vaulateers are very welcoming and very well conversed about the history of this iconic church in the niddle of Rochdale

2. Middleton Parish Church

New Ln, Middleton, Rochdale M24 6DJ England +44 161 643 2693 http://www.middletonparishchurch.org.uk/
Excellent
96%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 27 reviews

Middleton Parish Church

Reviewed By beardymanc - Manchester, United Kingdom

A stunning church, welcoming and steeped in history. Has to be worth a visit if ever in Middleton. Also have a wander around the graveyard and Old Kankys.

3. Blackstone Edge

Blackstone Edge Halifax Road, Littleborough, Rochdale OL15 0LG England
Excellent
88%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 25 reviews

Blackstone Edge

Reviewed By Poucant - Manchester, United Kingdom

This is a fabulous place to stroll along when the weather is OK - but it can get windy. If the weather isn't OK, then it's a fabulous place to drive to because the journey takes you over some bleak but beautiful moorland. Presuming you DO take a walk, then once your legs are tired, you need to drive to Hebden Bridge for a coffee/pint and a bite to eat because there's NOTHING at the Edge itself !

4. Rochdale Town Hall

Town Hall The Esplanade, Rochdale OL16 1AZ England +44 1706 924797 [email protected] http://www.rochdale.gov.uk/townhall
Excellent
67%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 245 reviews

Rochdale Town Hall

Rochdale's fabulous Grade-I Victorian Gothic town hall is renowned worldwide for its unique and detailed architecture. The building was opened on 27th September 1871 by George Leach Ashworth, then Mayor of Rochdale at a cost of around £150,000. Full tours take place on the first Monday of each month at 2.15pm and last about 2 hours. Short tours take place every Wednesday at 2.15pm and lasts 1 hour.

Reviewed By 27rl - Manchester, United Kingdom

Do you know there is a lot going on in the town hall you can check online and ask for an events leaflet that tells you what's on and what to look forward to in the coming weeks months etc Me and my friends enjoy the afternoon tea in clock tower restaurant before going on tour of the town hall our guide was really great tells us all about various parts of the buildings and a local history bit about each place inside I particularly enjoyed the prison cells which was said to have still been in used until the seventies wow amazing enjoyable afternoon

5. Hollingworth Lake

Rakewood Road, Rochdale OL15 0AQ England +44 1706 373421 http://www.rochdale.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/Pages/hollingworth-lake.aspx
Excellent
58%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 887 reviews

Hollingworth Lake

Reviewed By K9431TProberts - Birmingham, United Kingdom

Had a lovely Sunday evening walk around the lake as the sun was going down stunning views and at 2.5 miles it’s a great walk nice to see ice cream shop open half way round really beautiful place.

6. Greenbooth Reservoir

Greenbooth Road Norden, Rochdale England
Excellent
68%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 60 reviews

Greenbooth Reservoir

Reviewed By CannolliJoe65

Great place for walking. Lovely views. Definately walk round all 3 reservoirs or a really good walk. Clean and great for taking the dogs.

7. Touchstones

1 The Esplanade The Esplanade, Rochdale OL16 1AQ England +44 1706 924928 http://www.link4life.org/centres/touchstones-rochdale
Excellent
56%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 89 reviews

Touchstones

Touchstones Rochdale is the Borough's Arts and Heritage Centre including a 'hands on' Museum for all the family, Art Gallery, Local Studies Centre, Education Service and Visitor Information centre, shop and cafe. Gallery One is an exhibition space for local people and communities of Rochdale, giving an opportunity for them to organise and show their own exhibitions. Gallery Two showcases the borough's permanent art collection. Gallery Three and four show an exciting programme of contemporary art exhibitions. The Museum and heritage gallery display a wide variety of exhibits which are unique to the history of the area. Exhibits range from industrial heritage of cotton, engineering, mining and the impact of War, to domestic settings and more familiar objects and famous personalities over time, such as Gracie Fields, John Bright and Sam Bamford. Our local studies team are on hand to assist with your family tree research or projects and the Education team are kept busy with hundreds of school groups each year, not to mention the school holiday activities and providing schools with loan boxes. Touchstones also offers many workshops for all ages, artist talks and Friends events. The Friends of Rochdale Art Gallery help to raise money for the gallery collection, providing conservation and new acquisitions.

Reviewed By 389margaretw - Manchester, United Kingdom

What are you waiting for? This experience at Touchstones and Riverside One, is not to be missed! “Dippy” the diplodocus is in our hometown and it’s a wonderful, enjoyable and educational trip for all the family. Young and old can see Dippy at Riverside One, learn about the time dinosaurs inhabited the earth.It is up close and personal to be able to walk around and see this amazing creature. Touchstones has lots of interesting and factual information about fossils found in and around Rochdale area. Children and adults will be entertained by the interactive exhibits. The event is Free and open 7 days a week. Not to be missed.

8. Mojitos Cocktails

8A, Martlett Ave, Rochdale OL11 5LB England +44 1706 350326 [email protected] https://www.facebook.com/mojitoscocktails/
Excellent
78%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
22%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 9 reviews

Mojitos Cocktails

Reviewed By harrietjayne06 - Manchester, United Kingdom

Me and a friend went for cocktails here (which were some of the nicest we’ve had), the atmosphere was lovely. All the staff were so sweet and attentive. We absolutely will be back to try the rest of the menu! They are following Covid guidelines and are doing table service. We felt very safe and had a great evening. I do recommend pre-booking a table though to make sure you can drink here.

9. The Old Post Office Ale House

858 Manchester Road, Rochdale OL11 2SP England +44 1706 645464 [email protected] https://www.facebook.com/The-Old-Post-Office-Ale-House-507261576103736
Excellent
85%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
15%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 13 reviews

The Old Post Office Ale House

Family run, CAMRA Approved real Ale and Cider micropub. No jukebox or TV, just great ale and great company. Wheelchair accessible bar section. Dogs welcome.

Reviewed By stevieboy123456 - Faversham, United Kingdom

Luck was on ny side today after a long drive from Kent. Foind the Old Post Office Micropub. What a gem! Spent a very enjoyable afternoon in the company of the landlord's son and a number of regulars including a guy called Gary. Stayed longer than I planned to as the beer was in suberb condition and the company fantastic. If you are in the area please pay a visit. You will not be disappointed!!

10. Vicolo del Vino

The Butts, Rochdale OL16 England +44 7870 155951 http://www.facebook.com/Vicolodelvino
Excellent
77%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 31 reviews

Vicolo del Vino

Reviewed By michellemollart - Manchester, United Kingdom

Had our intimate last minute Wedding reception at this quirky, beautiful wine bar. Mike was so helpful and accommodating and Sarah took time off from her own birthday to cook, bake and decorate the bar x Our family and small group of friends were amazed that this little gem can be found in the centre of Rochdale. The food that was prepared was so tasty and in abundance, my 92 yr old mother in law cant wait to re visit. Drinks were of a high standard and the music was right up out street! We cant thank Mike and Sarah enough for making what we thought would be a simple Monday wedding into something so memorable x

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.