Hollingworth Lake

Hollingworth Lake is a 53-hectare (130-acre) reservoir at Littleborough, near Rochdale in Greater Manchester. It anchors Hollingworth Lake Country Park and has drawn day-trippers from across the north of England for well over a century.

How did the lake come to exist?

It is man-made. Engineers created it in the early 1800s to keep the Rochdale Canal supplied with water. The site was not a natural valley, so three earth embankments hold the water in place instead of a single dam. Local mill owners worried the canal would take water from the rivers that powered their mills, yet the scheme went ahead. In 1923 the canal company sold the reservoir, along with several others, to the Oldham and Rochdale corporations for water supply, and the country park was established in 1974.

Why was it called the "Weaver's Seaport"?

The railway reached the area in 1839, and visitors from Manchester, Bradford and Leeds began arriving by train. Hotels went up around the shore, and textile workers treated the lake as their own seaside resort, hence the nickname. Captain Matthew Webb trained here before swimming the English Channel in 1875, and the local rowing club has run without a break since 1872.

What can you do here?

• Stroll round the lake. The easy circuit is about 3 km (2 miles) and suits families.
• Go further. The South Pennine Water Trail starts at the visitor centre. It is a circular walk of roughly 8 km (5 miles) through the Ealees Valley and along the Rochdale Canal towpath, with a shorter variant of around 4 km.
• Try watersports. The Hollingworth Lake Activity Centre on Lakebank runs sailing, with kayaking and windsurfing in season.
• Take a break. The visitor centre has a cafe and toilets.

How do you get there and park?

The visitor centre is on Rakewood Road, Littleborough (OL15 0AQ). Parking is pay and display and fills up on sunny weekends and bank holidays, so arrive early. Littleborough has its own railway station, a few kilometres from the water.

When should you visit?

Late spring to early autumn is busiest, when water activities are running. Outside the season the lakeside path is quieter, but bring waterproof footwear, because the Pennine foothills stay damp.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there an entry fee? Entry to the park and its paths is free. You pay for parking and for sessions at the activity centre.

How long does the lake walk take? The loop is about 3 km and takes roughly an hour at an easy pace, with no climbs.

Is it good for children? Yes. The flat path, cafe and water views make it a simple family outing, and sailing is on offer in season.

Is the lake natural? No. It is a former feeder reservoir for the Rochdale Canal, now used for recreation.