Wednesday 3 March 2010

March Walks from Hollingworth Visitor Centre, nr. Rochdale

Our first walk of 2010 will be from a new venue high up in the pennines, providing wonderful views with the least effort and should be a good warm up for our season of walks. Gwyn is taking bookings now so be sure to get yourself on the coach. Membership fees (£10) are also now due.
Our first walk will be on;

Saturday 13th March 2010

There will be 3 walks;
Details will be added as they become available but by 6th March

Hollingworth Lake was construsted as a feeder source for the Rochdale Canal and was completed in 1800.
Around about 1850, James Sladen, an engineer at Newall's woollen mill in Littleborough, obtained permission from the then owners, Rochdale Canal Company, to put two small steamboats on it but the venture was unsuccessful. Gradually, the lake became more popular, seven hotels with large ballrooms and pleasure grounds which rivalled Manchester's Belle Vue were built. At the height of its popularity there were three lake steamers. 
Known as the Weighver’s Seaport, it became very popular in the mid-19th century, when connected by railway to Manchester, Leeds and Bradford. Several hotels were built, including, the Beach Hotel, the Lancashire and Yorkshire Hotel and the Lake Hotel on the far side which was accessed by steam launch. Currently there are two public house located next to the lake, the Beach Hotel and the Wine Press.
During the First World War there was a large training camp in Ealees Valley. After that war, the lake became less popular for holidays and the tourist facilities declined.
In 1950 Rochdale Council took over the boating rights from the Water Board which had acquired the lake from the canal company. In 1974 plans were approved to make the area a country park. It is now used for recreation and includes a wildlife sanctuary.




Boats on Hollingworth Lake



Hollingworth Lake and Littleborough from Clegg Moor

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