Bank holiday family fun at Hollingworth Lake

Date published: 23 May 2018


This bank holiday Monday, May 28, families are invited for fun, games and adventure at the rebranded Hollingworth Lake Adventure and Water Activity Centre.

New family-focussed activities being developed by leisure charity Link4Life include the launch of new paddle boats and mini-steam boats.

Families can enjoy free sessions on the new pedalo paddle boats and mini-steam boats along with sailing and windsurfing during a day of activities called the Big Games.

Visitors can also see wild animals such as reptiles and lizards; and enjoy arts and crafts, soft play, a climbing wall, inflatable obstacle course and yogini for under-fives.

Furthermore, the first 250 guests will receive a free goodie bag with a water bottle.

Hollingworth Lake first became a popular attraction in the Victorian era after being built to supply water to the Rochdale Canal.

It became known as the ‘Weighvers Seaport’ because of textile workers and their families enjoying their leisure time there. 

Fun activities of the past included bath tub races.

In more recent times, the lake developed as a centre for water sports including sailing, wind surfing and power boats, as well as outdoor activities including mountain biking and rock climbing.

Now rebranded as Hollingworth Lake Adventure and Water Activity Centre, the lake and country park is a great location for family days-out.

In addition to water activities, attractions include playgrounds, a picnic area, fantastic lake-side views, ice cream and cafes, a visitor centre, explorer trails and special events.

For a full 45-minute session on a paddle boat, the fee is £15.

It costs £20 to hire a mini-steam boat or £10 for a rowing boat.

Longer-term plans for the lake include the launch of a larger steam boat catering for bigger groups later this year.

Claire Costigan, Hollingworth Lake Country Park Manager, said: “This is a great destination at the foothills of the Pennines which is easily accessible with on-site car parking and paths around the lake.

"The activities taking place on bank holiday Monday are aimed at making the lake even more accessible with fun activities that don’t require any pre-booking.

"There will be something for all ages and interests and we’ve exciting plans for more events through the spring and summer.”

Claire added: “Link4Life first launched Big Games days in 2010 as Olympic legacy events and they have grown bigger every year.

"Link4Life is holding other Big Games events at its other venues across the borough of Rochdale.

"Big Games days take place at Heywood Sports Village on June 1, Bowlee Sports Centre on June 2, Rochdale Leisure Centre on June 23 and Littleborough Sport Centre on June 24."

Hollingworth Lake Adventure and Water Activity Centre is located near Smithy Bridge and Littleborough, within easy to reach of Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire.

It is close to Junction 21 of the M62 motorway, the A58 between Rochdale and Halifax, and Smithy Bridge train station on the Calderdale railway line.

In addition to the Visitor Centre, you can find out more about the history of Hollingworth Lake and the surrounding area at Rochdale’s Touchstones Museum, Art Gallery and Library.