Rochdale Metropolitan Borough

Rochdale, the administrative centre of the larger Rochdale Metropolitan Borough, is situated astride the River Roch and its first documented evidence is to be found in the Domesday Book. The Metropolitan Borough was created by combining 6 independent local authorities during the local government re-organisation of the early 1970s. They were Rochdale, Heywood, Littleborough, Middleton, Milnrow and Wardle. Rochdale is now one of the Metroplitan Boroughs that constitute Greater Manchester.

Rochdale was, in its heyday, a major weaving district and some of its old mills are still left to bear witness to this fact. Many of the original mills have been demolished to make way for new housing or industry. The engine house of one mill, however, still remains as a museum and testament to its past glory. Ellenroad Mill engine house, near Milnrow, still has its steam engine in place. It is maintained by a group of volunteers and is run on a regular basis. As it is one of the largest steam operated mill engines of its type it is well worth a visit

The Town Hall is a grade 1 listed building and its Parish Church dates back to the late 12th century. The Town Hall is one of the most impressive Town Halls in the country and the interior of this magnificent building is well worth viewing. The foundation stone was laid by the M.P. John Bright on 31st March 1866 and the building was opened in 1886, having taken 5 years to build.

Rochdale can lay claim to being the 'home of the Co-op' as it was in the town that the co-operative movement had its earliest beginnings in 1844. Known as the 'Rochdale Pioneers', a group of 28 cotton workers, unable to afford the high prices of food on their low wages, decided that they could supply their basic needs more cheaply by getting together and buying in bulk. The first items purchased were the staples: flour, oatmeal, sugar and butter. Every customer of the shop became a member. A small museum has been established in the original shop, in Toad Lane, behind the Rochdale Exchange Shopping Precint.

The Rochdale canal, a through-route between Manchester and Yorkshire, is known as the 'broad route' ie. a canal that will accommodate wide barges as opposed to the more usual 'narrowboats' at 6'10" wide and up to 70' in length). After years of neglect, and with long stretches left un-navigable, the canal became the focus of a restoration project in the later years of the 20th cenury. Today the canal is open again and boats can once again travel along the whole of its length, 33 miles, between Dale Street Basin in Manchester and Sowerby Bridge in Yorkshire where it links up with the Calder and Hebble Navigation.

Two famous names from Rochdale are those of the much loved entertainer and actress, Gracie Fields, and Rochdale's former Liberal M.P. Sir Cyril Smith.

Rochdale has busy streets lined with a variety of shops, 2 covered shopping malls, and a thriving market. The town is home to Rochdale Football Club and also has a new Cinema complex.