Family Days Out

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

CROMPTON MOOR

Shaw, OL2 8NA

We followed the 'orange route' which was helpfully located on a board in the car park and went up through some stunning, symmetrical trees, past Brushes Clough reservoir and then down the hill with views of Oldham and Rochdale before us. The walk was less than two miles but given it involved going uphill it took us forever. However, not quite content with 'forever', we then went down the hill from the car park to look at the Pingot Quarry waterfall. It really was quite spectacular, especially from the perspective of a three year old!

QUEEN'S PARK

Small free car park on Queens Park Road, OL10 4UY

The playground now has a regal theme, complete with castle turrets and a horse and carriage rocker. There is also a very bouncy trampoline in the floor. There's a smaller toddler playground with a fire engine in a sandpit and within the park there is also gym equipment. Most of the paths are lovely and smooth for biking and scooting and around the back of the lake there is a BMX pump track. There is also a lovely cafe and a large, beautiful lake with lots of geese, ducks and swans.

BLACKSTONE EDGE

We park near the White House pub (OL15 0LG) and then walk a bit further past the pub along the main road before taking the well marked path going off to the left.

One of our favourite walks (when it’s not covered in fog) is along the Pennine Way at the top of Blackstone Edge. The path is quite stoney but it’s flat and traffic free so fab for bike practice, good for dog walks and ok for pram pushing (although it is a bit of a bumpy ride). The path runs for a couple of miles before it becomes less toddler/pram friendly as it heads towards the secret beach at Gaddings Dam. The views are amazing... like having climbed a mountain without the effort. There’s a few nice things to spot, such as a little bridge, writing on rocks and numerous reservoirs.

CHADDERTON HALL PARK

Chadderton Hall Road, OL9 0QB Small car park at the bottom of Haigh Lane, Chadderton, OL9 0QB (or on-road parking on Chadderton Hall Road)

The playground has a few things removed at the minute due to Covid (including the zip wire). There is, however, still a sandy area with a rope bridge, a tunnel and a pretend train. The paths are mainly bike-able and scoot-able (but there are also a couple of hills). The best thing about this park is an accessible stream (the River Irk) in which to paddle, splash and throw stones. If you walk a short distance westwards along the River Irk you can even see an aqueduct (the Irk Aqueduct), where the Rochdale Canal crosses the river. You could then get onto the canal (up the steps) and walk to Foxdenton Park.

TANDLE HILL COUNTRY PARK

Royton, Oldham, OL2 5UX

I honestly don’t know how Tandle Hills has not made it to this feature before as we have been numerous times and it’s really good fun! There is the trek to the top of the world, countless trees to climb, sticks a-plenty, a little stream and - the piece de resistance - a massive slide down the hillside! I just love the magnificent views of Rochdale, Manchester and Oldham and the woods really are impressive (in all seasons). There's some nice smooth paths for prams and bikes but also some rough terrain. The play areas aren’t particularly big but they are fun, with wobbly bridges, sand pits with diggers, swings and slides. An ice cream from the cafe is always a winner!

HARE HILL PARK

There is a pay and display car park at the cricket club (OL15 9LD) or often spaces on the streets surrounding the park.

A great park whatever the season, with a beautiful view from the swings. There is an excellent toddler playground at the top of the park, with little slides and baby swings and a fake road. There is also an area for bigger kids at the bottom of the park, which includes skateboarding ramps. The paths are lovely and smooth for prams and bikes with flat sections, little winding paths and also one big hill. There's an old water wheel to find and an excellent cafe, Cuppacinos.

STUBBYLEE PARK

Bacup, OL13 0DE, although we always park on Park Road (OL13 0BU)

The playground is good with bits for toddlers and older children - a little play house, a slide down a hill and a spinning seesaw. The playground is actually in the park next door - Moorlands Park - but you wouldn’t really notice that they are different parks. One of our favourite things about this park is the excellent pump track. There's also a lovely little cafe, a duck pond and a little stream which trickles downhill from there, where, along the banks, are dotted fairy houses, fairy shops and even a fairy water mill!

YANKEE HEAVEN

Canal Wharf, Canal Street, Littleborough, OL15 0HA.

Obviously not a day out in itself... but any walk along the Rochdale Canal is made better by a stop off at Yankee Heaven for an ice cream or milkshake. My favourite is a salted caramel ice cream in a waffle cone. They also have ice cream especially for doggies! And, as well as feeding ourselves, we like to feed the ducks. Ideally placed for a stroll along the Rochdale Canal - 1.5 miles towards Todmorden will get you to Summit and 1.5 miles towards Rochdale will get you to Clegg Hall.

HOPWOOD PARK

Small car park on Baker Street, OL10 2PP

There is a 'baby' playground with the basics... swing, slide, roundabout, rockers and an older area with - wait for it - A ZIPLINE!! There's also the brand spanking new pump track which, although small, is great fun! The perimeter of the park is a lovely, flat, smooth path - perfect for scooters, bikes or dolls prams.

HOPWOOD WOODS

We parked in the small car park close to Hopwood Hall College, Middleton (M24 6XH).

The woods are bigger than you'd expect from the road and we spent over two hours exploring - through streams, over bridges, onto tree stumps, along logs... fun was had by all.

BOARSHAW CLOUGH

Middleton, M24 2LJ (Across the road from Hopwood Woods)

We parked on Clough Road and just wandered around, befriending ponies, throwing stones in the stream, climbing trees and feeding the ducks. There's also a miniature sculpture trail featuring a grasshopper, a giant fish and a fox!

GREENBOOTH RESERVOIR

There is a small car park at the very top of Woodhouse Lane, Norden, Rochdale on a track called Forsyth Lane, OL12 7TL. Please note: the car park is very small so it may be best to park in Norden village or nearby if you're able to walk the distance.

It was beautiful to the extent that my little boy didn’t want to go home, but actually wanted to keep on walking! We did a kind of figure of eight route around Naden Middle Reservoir and the main Greenbooth Reservoir discovering lots of different things, including a magical waterfall. Although some of the paths would be pram-able and bikeable, I think you could be prevented by the kissing gates/cattle grids.