Rossendale Visitor Guide 2009-10 - Days Out Leaflets

Call 01706 252411 

Visitors Guide 2009-10 

www.visitrossendale.com 

Walking, cycling and 

horse riding routes 

Town maps 

Travel information 

Visitor attractions 

and much 

more… 

Indulgence 

Quality food & drink 

in Rossendale 

Adventure 

Your guide to walking, 

cycling & horse riding 

Family Fun 

For family days out 

not to be missed

2 www.visitrossendale.com 

Visitor Information Hotline 

Contents 

The Countryside 4 

Adventure 6 

Exploring Towns & Villages 

Whitworth Valley 16 

Bacup 18 

Water, Lumb, Waterfoot and Cowpe 20 

Rawtenstall and Crawshawbooth 22 

Haslingden 24 

Helmshore 26 

Edenfield, Stubbins and Irwell Vale 28 

Family Fun 30 

Theatre & Arts 34 

Events & Festivals 38 

Rossendale Map 42 

Indulgence 48 

Tradition 58 

Shopping 60 

Adrenaline Sports 64 

Business Directory 70 

Produced for Rossendale Borough Council by 

Urban Soul Design Ltd T: 01706 877899 

www.urbansouldesign.co.uk 

Rossendale Visitor 

Information 

Rossendale County Information Centre 

Rawtenstall Library 

Queen’s Square 

Haslingden Road 

Rawtenstall 

Rossendale 

Tel: 01706 234694 

Opening Hours: 

Monday & Thursday 09:30–19:30 

Tuesday & Friday 09:30–17:00 

Wednesday 09:30–13:00 

Saturday 09:30–16:00 

Important: Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information in this guide, Rossendale Borough Council 

cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions. The information was compiled in August 2009.

Call 01706 252411 

Rossendale Visitors Guide 3 

Welcome 

One of Britain’s most acclaimed actresses spent her childhood enjoying 

the best of what Rossendale has to offer. Jane Horrocks is deliciously 

different, fabulously funny and here, this little girl with the big voice 

recounts some of her fond childhood memories. 

Jane Horrocks 

“I have always been proud of growing up in the beautiful 

Rossendale Valley. Picnics in Whitaker Park; playing hideand-seek 

and climbing up the scary high slide. In the park’s 

museum I loved looking at the baby elephant, (my grandma 

once sat me on it, much to the annoyance of the caretaker!) 

The python wrapped round the tiger was another wonder, 

both of which are still there to behold. 

My eighth birthday party was held at Marl Pits Swimming 

Pool, we had a great time. When I was nine we moved house, 

from here there was easy access to the hills of Rossendale. 

We took our dog for long walks, favourites being: Waugh’s 

Well, Clowbridge reservoir, where we could watch the 

sailing club in action, and a walk from Cowpe to Healey Dell 

on the Roman Road. Spectacular views and scenery were 

never far away. 

Oh, and I forgot to mention the unique Ski Slope, 

where, amid many tumbles and ripped jeans, I learnt to ski. 

You must try Rossendale for yourself, you will love it! Here 

you will never be short of a friendly face.” 

Many thanks to all our contributing photographers: Ian Tilton, Colin Hubbard, Mike Burgess, Wendy Davison, Joanne Earnshaw, 

Peter Williams, Mid Pennine Arts, Liam Spencer, Real Lancashire Black Pudding Co., VisitBritain, Lancashire County Developments, 

Lancashire County Council, Fisherman’s Reatreat, West Pennine Moors, Ski Rossendale, Musbury Fabrics, Bolthole, Peers Clough 

Packhorses, Animal Quackers.



THE COUNTRYSIDE 

Rossendale is a precious place, it’s a real place. Those who 

know it best love it and what a great landscape it has. The 

‘Valley’, as it’s known by the locals, is in fact a series of 

valleys with rugged, moorland hills defining the skyline. 

Did you know? 

The UK is the fifth windiest country in 

the world! And the 26 Scout Moor wind 

turbines generate enough energy to 

provide one and a half times the power 

needs of all 28,000 homes in Rossendale. 

West Pennine Moors

Call 01706 252411 


Scout Moor 

The best thing about 

Rossendale is… 

How accessible it is, you don’t need to 

travel far to find some really exciting 

countryside on your doorstep. 

Tony Lund, Countryside Officer for 

Lancashire County Council 

Spanning the West Pennine Moors and the South 

Pennines, Rossendale benefits from the unique 

natural heritage of both areas. 

Three rivers, the Irwell, the Spodden and the 

Ogden snake through the valleys influencing the 

ever-changing landscape of Rossendale and adding 

to its natural charm. There are endless, fastflowing 

brooks and streams which have created 

picturesque, hidden valleys all ripe for exploring. 

Rossendale’s many reservoirs, although manmade, 

provide places for people to enjoy as well 

as creating superb habitats for birds and wildlife. 

Visitors to Rossendale will see that the 

hills have been worked. The industrial past has 

shaped the area with quarrying and tramways 

on the treeless, moor-tops and the remains of 

water-mills, powered by fast flowing streams, in 

the valley bottoms where traditional Lancashire 

towns and villages nestle. 

Wild scenery dominates the area with 

farmsteads peppering the hillsides and hilltops and 

grey, dry-stone walls and gnarled hawthorn trees 

in abundance. The highest point in Rossendale 

is Top of Leach, standing 478 metres above sealevel 

and over-looking Scout Moor - home to the 

largest on-shore wind farm in England and just 

the place to blow away the cobwebs. The much 

photographed Musbury Tor, Rossendale’s own 

table-top mountain, stands majestic and proud 

above Haslingden and Helmshore, it’s smooth, flat 

top punctuating the sky-line. 

Incredible views are to be found at every 

twist and turn - they’re all waiting there for you 

to discover. 

The River Spodden at Healey Dell



ADVENTURE 

Walking in the Rossendale Valley 

There’s a wealth of walking in 

Rossendale; in fact, Rossendale 

has more public footpaths 

within it’s boundary than any 

other borough in the country. 

The hills and valleys create an 

ever-changing landscape. The 

moor tops are atmospheric 

and the valley bottoms are full 

of surprises. You can go out 

and discover what Rossendale 

has to offer on any one of 

our extensive programme of 

guided walks or follow some 

of the route maps we have 

provided in this guide. 



The ever changing landscape. 

Lynda Hannam Number 678 Guest House 

Calf Hey Reservoir

Call 01706 252411 


For those walkers that enjoy a real challenge there are 

three organised long-distance walks: The Rossendale 

Way in a Day (42 miles),The Half Way in a Day (25 

miles) and The Round the Hills Walk (18.5 miles). 

Organised as a fund raiser by Rossendale and 

Pendle Mountain Rescue Team, The Rossendale Way in 

a Day is a 68km (42 mile), 18.5 hour, circular route over 

the varied terrain around the Rossendale boundary; 

following tracks, paths and some pathless open 

moorland. A brief description of the route is issued to 

walkers with 9 or 10 check points along the way. Basic 

map reading skills are essential. 

For those wanting a less strenuous day out, there’s 

The Halfway in a Day! Again taking place on the first 

Saturday in July, this 40km (25 mile), 8.5 hour linear route 

follows the Rossendale Way over varied terrain. A brief 

route description is issued at the start and transport is 

provided between the start and finish locations. 

The Round the Hills Walk is another epic circular 

route around the spectacular hills of Rossendale, this 

30km (18.5 mile) circular route departs from Fearns 

Community Sports College, Fearns Moss, Stacksteads, 

OL13 0TG, on the first Sunday in September. Just turn 

up at the school between 9.00 and 10.00am. 

Whitworth Footpath Group organise guided walks 

every 2nd Sunday in the month. 

Two great books written by Ian Goldthorpe: 

Rossendale Rambles and Further Rossendale Rambles, 

provide the best maps and descriptions of routes around 

the Rossendale Valley. Some of the accommodation 

providers in Rossendale have copies for loan and the 

copies are also available from the local libraries. 

Waughs Well 

on the Windturbine and Whisky Trail, see page 11 

Fast Facts 

About Walking 

In Rossendale 

First Saturday in July 

Rossendale Way in a Day or 

Half Way in a Day 

www.rpmrt.org.uk 

First Sunday 

in September Round the 

Hills Walk. 

http://bacuprotary.org.uk/rth 

Second Sunday 

of the month. Whitworth 

Footpath Group 

T: 01706 344711 

First weekend in 

October The Rural 

Rossendale Walking Festival 

www.ruralrossendale.co.uk 

April - November 

Valley of Stone guided walks 

www.valleyofstone.org.uk 

OS Maps 

OL21 and 287 

cover the area of 

Rossendale



Valley Of Stone Guided Walks 

The Valley of Stone Heritage 

Lottery Fund project has been 

set up to celebrate the quarrying 

and stone working heritage of 

Rossendale. The Guided Walks 

are just one part of this interesting 

project. Our local guides bring 

the Rossendale hills to life with 

their wealth of knowledge about 

the area. Walks do not need to 

be pre-booked just meet at the 

designated start points. 

W: www.valleyofstone.org.uk. 

Sunday, 6th September 2009 - 

LEE QUARRY AND TRAMWAY 30 

A circuit incorporating Lee Quarry incline and moor 

edge views from a historic mineral tramway linking 

Lee to Britannia 6km (4 miles). Meet Guide Arthur 

Baldwin behind the Kingfisher Business Park, off 

Newchurch Rd at Stacksteads (A681), at 1:30pm. 

Sunday, 13th September 2009 - 

CALL MY BLUFF - HEALEY STONES 18 

Can you spot a pack of lies from the truth in 3 tall 

tales?? Visit to a fascinating landscape and the time- 

warp hamlet of Healey Stones. 8km (5 miles). Meet 

three tale-telling bluffers at the junction of Hall St / 

Market St, Whitworth, at 1:30pm. 

Sunday, 20th September 2009 - BORDER LANDS 22 

Following old routeways on the Rossendale border and 

over into Calderdale and including the excellent scenery 

of Gorpley Clough.14km (9 miles). Meet Guide David 

Humphries at the junction of Flower Scar Road (near to 

summit), Sharneyford. at 12:30pm. 

Sunday, 4th October 2009 - 

WHITWORTH CYCLEWAY 16 

Introducing a new section of cycleway that follows the 

reclaimed Britannia to Shawforth railway line. Return 

past ‘Gawmless End’. 5km (3 miles). Meet Guide 

Marrian Tattersall outside Shawforth Chapel, off Market 

St. Shawforth, at 1:30pm. 


SCOUT MOOR SKYLINE 19 

Scout Moor has changed dramatically. We will explore 

several miles of moorland tracks created for the huge 

wind farm, (accompanied by trampers) (up to10km/ 6 

miles). Meet Guide Marrian Tattersall at the junction of 

Rochdale Road A680 and Bleakholt Rd, Turn Village, 

(verge side parking Bleakholt Rd), at 1:30pm. 

Start points for Valley Of Stone Guided Walks

Call 01706 252411 



MUSBURY MAGIC 3 

Contouring the atmospheric Musbury Valley, one 

of Rossendale’s secluded scenic gems. Evidence of 

early farming and a deer park. 13km (8 miles). Meet 

Guide David Humphries at Higher Museum car park, 

Helmshore (park at far side of car park) at 12:30pm. 

Sunday, 1st November 2009 - 

STEPS OF CRIBDEN 5 

A visit to former quarry sites above Haslingden, on 

prominent landscape ‘steps’ on the side of Cribden 

- includes the ‘Halo’ site. 6km ( 4 miles). Meet Guide 

David Humphries at the car park behind Haslingden 

Library, Deardengate, Haslingden at 1:30pm. 

Sunday, 8th November 2009 - 

IF STONES COULD SPEAK? 17 

What would they tell us about the Cowm Valley? 

- The best landscape in Rossendale for variety of 

dry stone walling and flag fencing. 8km (5 miles). 

Meet Guide Alan Rhodes, Master Craftsman 

from the Dry Stone Walling Association outside 

Whitworth Museum, North St car park, off 

Market St, Whitworth at 1:30pm. 

Sunday, 15th November 2009 - OVER TO DING 12 

A true moorland escape over southern hills above 

Cowpe to Ding Quarry. Return via Scout Moor 

Windfarm and Waugh’s Well. 13km (8 miles). Meet 

guide Mike Lee at the car park opposite the Royal 

Hotel, Waterfoot at 12:30pm. 

Tramper Trails 

Tramper Trails 

The less mobile can now take 

advantage of Rossendale’s accessible 

wilderness by trekking out on a 

Tramper. These all-terrain, electric 

buggies are designed specifically to 

cover rough ground, mud and grass. 

A Tramper is in permanent residence at 

Cronkshaw Fold Farm, Helmshore for use by 

people with limited mobility. To use a Tramper 

at Cronkshaw Fold Farm please book ahead 

by contacting the farm directly on T: 01706 

218614. At Cronkshaw Fold Farm Trampers 

can access the pond, all of the small sunset 

garden, some of the early years area, all of 

the buildings and there are two different 

routes up Tramper friendly bridleways to 

Robin Hood’s Well and on to Holcombe 

Moor. Visitors using the Tramper must be 

accompanied by an able-bodied person. There 

is no charge for using a Tramper but there is a 

charge for visiting the farm. Adults £2.50 and 

children £3.50, remember to book ahead. 

There are many accompanied Tramper 

excursions taking place in Rossendale 

throughout the year at: Scout Moor, 

Lee Quarry, Cowm & Cow Clough, the 

Clowbridge circuit and Landgate & Moss 

Quarries. Contact the Countryside Rangers 

directly for an up to date countryside events 

programme which details Tramper excursions 

or visit www.lancashire.gov.uk and search 

on ‘countryside events’, T: 01772 534709 or 

01995 640557. 

Trampers are also available on some of 

the Valley of Stone walks programme. Book 

your Tramper through Lancashire County 

Council Countryside Rangers on T: 01772 

534709 or 01995 640557.

10 www.visitrossendale.com 


Shoe Trail 

A Mid Pennine Arts project 

Twenty-eight giant clay shoes, designed by local school children, 

have been used to waymark the Shoe Trail which runs from the East 

Lancashire Railway at Rawtenstall to the Panopticon Halo at Haslingden. n. 

The trail celebrates Rossendale’s famous shoe industry and clay has 

been used because the site of the Halo at Top O’ Slate was once a clay 

pit supplying many nearby brick factories. The route is approximately 

3km (2 miles) long with quite a steep incline at one point. Allow one 

hour to walk the route. Spectacular views across the Rossendale Valley 

and down to Manchester can be enjoyed along the way. 

Shoe Trail 

Sand Beds Lane, bottom of Cowpe Lowe 

Date Dt Description 

Saturday 

03.10.09. 

Sunday 


Sunday 


Sunday 


Monday 


The Rural Rossendale 

Walking Festival 

SARSAPARILLA STROLL 

A circular route departing from The East Lancashire Railway Station 

at Rawtenstall, skirting the fringes of Oakenhead Wood to the 

Panopticon Halo and back to Rawtenstall via Cribden stopping off for 

a glass of Sarsaparilla at Fitzpatrick’s - Bitain’s Last Temperance bar. 

THE FUDGE TRUDGE 

A circular route around Whitworth departing from Market Street 

through Healey Dell, across Brown Wardle Hill and back around 

Cowm Reservoir with a short stop at Fudge Village to refuel. 

THE CHEESE BREESE 

A family friendly walk around Cronkshaw Fold Farm, viewing the 

animals and learning all about farming in the Alden Valley. Lancashire 

Cheese samples for all walkers. 

THE SOUP LOOP 

A circular route departing from Bacup Leisure Hall taking in part of the 

Irwell Sculpture Trail, The Rossendale Way and the Pennine Bridleway. 

Stopping off en route for a delicious bowl of home-made soup. 

BLACK PUDDING PLOD 

A circular route around Haslingden Grane Valley departing from 

Waterside Industrial Estate the home of the award winning Real 

Lancashire Black Pudding Company. Black pudding recipe leaflet for all 

participating walkers. 

Takes place on the first weekend in October. There are 6 foodie 

walks over 3 days, which take in the best of Rossendale’s local 

food producers and the unique working environment of the 

Rossendale countryside. All walks must be booked in advance - 

you can book your place T: 07746 556337 or E: wendy.davison@ 

btopenworld.com. Why not make the most of the weekend 

walks by booking in to any one of the places to stay on www. 

ruralrossendale.co.uk. High standards and stunning views abound 

and a warm welcome awaits you whatever the weather. 

Approx. 

Distance 

4 miles/ 

6km 

10 miles/ 

16 km 

2 miles/ 

3km 

12 miles/ 

19km 

7 miles/ 

11km 

Departure 

Time 

Cost 

10.00 £3.00 


10:00 Adults 

£3.00 

Children 

Free 

10:00 £3.00 

10.00 £3.00

Call 01706 252411 


Wind Turbines & Whisky Trail 

Footpath highlighted in blue 

© Crown Copyright Rossendale Borough Council License Number 100018418 

Date 

Description 

Approx. 

Distance 

Departure 

Time 

Cost 

Saturday 


WIND TURBINES & WHISKY TRAIL 

A circular route departing from The Fishermans Retreat, 

walking over Scout Moor and viewing the largest on 

shore wind farm in England, to Cowpe via Sand Beds 

Lane and back to The Fishermans Retreat (where they 

stock over 500 different Single Malt Whiskies). 

7 miles/ 

11 km 


Two further walking festivals feature 

walks in Rossendale: West Pennine 

Moors Walking Festival. For this 

and other countryside events 

visit www.westpenninemoors. 

com and South Pennine Walk and 

Ride Festival from 12th to 27th 

September 2009 visit 

www.pennineprospects.co.uk 

for more information. 

Scout Moor



Cycling in the West Pennine Moors 

Cycling in Rossendale 

Biking in Rossendale can be as extreme 

as you want it to be with the Mary 

Towneley Loop and the Adrenaline 

Gateway at Lee Quarry providing miles 

and miles of challenging, off-road biking. 

Less demanding cycling can be found 

on a relatively new network of cycle 

paths developed on old railway routes. 

These often take in other interesting 

attractions along the way. 

At Lee Quarry, Bacup (part of the 

Pennine Lancashire Adrenaline 

Gateway) you’ll find one of the 

north’s most demanding mountain 

biking areas. With a network of 

black and red routes to test your 

skills and stamina, Lee Quarry is 

also home to some of the best 

purpose-built mountain bike trials 

areas in the UK. These are free to 

ride all year round. The quarry can 

be approached from Futures Park at 

Bacup, just off the A681. 

W: www.adrenaline-gateway.co.uk 

Exciting mountain biking 

can also be found on The Mary 

Towneley Loop, part of the Pennine 

Bridleway National Trail. The 

Loop provides 76 km (47 miles) of

Call 01706 252411 


Why not try cycling… 

The Helmshore Loop 

Trail highlighted in blue 

demanding off-road mountain biking with 

lots of challenging ascents and descents, in 

and out of the steep sided South Pennine 

valleys. For mountain bikers, good places 

to join the Loop in the Rossendale Valley 

are at Waterfoot, Cowpe, Lumb and 

Whitworth. W: www.nationaltrail.co.uk/ 

penninebridleway 

Rossendale’s Cycleways 

Route 92 cycleway: Rochdale – Whitworth 

– Britannia 

A largely off-road cycleway from 

Rochdale to Britannia, Route 92 follows an 

old railway line with connecting sections of 

quiet roads. From Rochdale the cycleway 

takes you through Healey Dell nature 

reserve. The main highlight of Route 92 is 

the 32m, (105 ft) high viaduct over the River 

Spodden. Beyond Whitworth there are 

some lovely views to the surrounding hills, 

climbing up to 295m (967 ft) above sea level 

at Shawforth. This area has a rich history 

of stone quarrying, with tramways linking 

the quarries to the railways adding to the 

scenery along the way. 

Route 6 cycleway: Ramsbottom (Stubbins) 

– Helmshore – Haslingden (Lumb 

Greenway) 

Sections of the Route 6 cycleway 

which are currently open for use are at 

Stubbins and Helmshore. Again built 

on an old railway route this cycleway 

follows a leafy, river valley through 

lovely countryside. During your ride 

why not visit Helmshore Mills Textile 

Museum and find out about the area’s 

textile past or do a detour to Irwell 

Vale, a picturesque Lancashire mill 

village set on the River Ogden. 

Cycling in the West Pennine Moors 

© Crown Copyright Rossendale Borough Council License Number 100018418



Peers Clough Packhorses 

The Mary Towneley Loop is the 

most significant bridleway and some 

24km (15 miles) out of the total 

76km (47 mile) pass through the 

hills and valleys of Rossendale. This 

circular route can be accessed from 

various points in the Rossendale 

Valley. 

From Broadley and Healey 

Dell the loop takes you across 

Rooley Moor to the Top of Leach 

at 1,555 feet, it’s the highest point 

in Rossendale. Rooley Moor Road, 

also known as the cotton famine 

road, was constructed by local mill 

workers when they were unable to 

work in the mills due to the shortage 

of cotton supplies created by the 

American Civil War. The road is 

thought to be the highest in England 

and is a fine example of Victorian 

stone setts, untouched by concrete 

or tarmac. 

From the Top of Leach the 

route descends into Cowpe, an old 

mill village, into the main Rossendale 

Valley below following the Whitewell 

Brook Valley to Deerplay Moor 

above Burnley; here, there is also 

a bridleway link to Clowbridge 

Reservoir. For maps and more 

information on this spectacular 

route see: www.nationaltrail.co.uk/ 

penninebridleway. 

An exceptionally well written 

pocket guide to the Mary Towneley 

Loop is available from the Forest of 

Rossendale Bridleways Association 

details on obtaining a copy of the 

guide can be found at: 

http://forba2007.org. 

Horse Riding and Bridleways in 

the Rossendale Valley 

Rossendale has a developing network 

of Bridleway routes, which, through the 

hard work of local campaigners, are 

gradually being extended.

Call 01706 252411 


Fast Facts 

Accommodation providers in 

Rossendale with facilities for 

horses and riders. See directory 

at back of this visitor guide for 

contact details. 

Horncliffe Mount Farm 

Old Clough Stables 

(camping only) 

Peers Clough Farm 

The Old Stables @ 

Tippett Farm 

Other interesting bridleway routes include: Cloughfold 

Railway Bridleway - following the route of the old 

railway line, near Rawtenstall. The best place to access 

this route is Fall Barn Rd., Rawtenstall. Marl Pits 

Bridleway, Rawtenstall. This short route is best accessed 

from Waingate Lane Rawtenstall and takes riders onto 

the hills above Marl Pits sports complex. Hurst Lane 

Bridleway. There are links from the Marl Pitts Bridleway 

to Hurst Lane Bridleway, Rawtenstall which lead to 

Lumb ending at the Hargreaves Arms, Burnley Road 

East. Stacksteads Greenway – another short route 

taking you from Stacksteads to Bacup. This route is best 

accessed from Bankside Lane Bacup. 

Route maps for bridleways in Rossendale and 

indeed for the whole of Lancashire can be found at 

http://mario.lancashire.gov.uk 

For riders without horses Peers Clough 

Packhorses offer a variety of horse riding 

adventures ranging from all inclusive horse 

riding holidays through to mini breaks, picnic 

rides and one or two hour rides over farmland 

and moorland (minimum age 13 years). These 

sturdy, locally bred fell ponies provide riders 

with a comfortable and safe ride over the 

local terrain; providing a taste of bygone days 

when packhorses were used to transport 

cotton, lime, coal and wool between upland 

communities. T: 01706 210552 

W: www.peerscloughpackhorses.co.uk 

A spot of lunch while out Pony Trekking



EXPLORING 

Whitworth Water Ski Centre 

Did you know? 

Such was the quality of the 

stone from Whitworth it was 

shipped to London for use on 

Trafalgar Square. 

Whitworth Valley 

Whitworth, Facit and Shawforth. 

One main road links Whitworth, Facit and Shawforth together. 

These small, narrow towns are wedged in the valley bottom, 

flanked by steep valley sides with quarries dotting the skyline. 

If you are visiting this area you might like to start your day with a stroll 

around 1. Cowm Reservoir or if you are feeling adventurous is home to 2. 

Whitworth Water Ski Centre where you can water ski or wake board. They 

cater for both able bodied and disabled water skiers of all abilities and don’t 

worry if you’ve never water skied before, a training boom can be attached to 

the side of the boat so you can’t fail! T: 01706 852534 W: www.whitworthwaterski.co.uk 

Afterwards move on to 3. Fudge Village at Facit. It’s not just a place to 

buy fudge but you can see fudge and chocolate being made on their organised 

theatre tours and afterwards choose from any one of the 23 different flavours 

of fudge. 3. Bistro Fudge @ Fudge Village serves lunch and high teas. The 

house speciality is not surprisingly chocolate fudge cake and cappuccinos to 

die for. W: www.fudgevillage.co.uk 

If you fancy a pub meal 4. The Red Lion, set in the heart of 4. Whitworth 

Square and dating back to 1674, has all the charm and character you would 

expect from such a historic building. For Real Ale fans, Tetleys’ Cask, plus 

other guest beers are on tap along with a great bar snack menu. 

Whitworth

Call 01706 252411 


If you want to stay and explore Rossendale for 

longer, the The Red Lion offers B&B and they 

have a good range of en-suite rooms. Whilst you 

are in this Conservation Area check out 4. St 

Bartholemews Church, a grade 2 listed building 

with lots of interesting gargoyles and 4. Whitworth 

House, previously occupied by the famous 

Whitworth Doctors who were bone-setters and 

treated many famous people in their day. 

You can walk off your lunch with a visit to 5. 

Healey Dell Nature Reserve, the only designated 

nature reserve in Rossendale. There’s an excellent 

network of footpaths and cycleways with some 

access for wheelchairs. You can pick up the 

footpath off Market St, Whitworth look out for 

the brown signs. The River Spodden snakes it’s 

way under an impressive 105ft viaduct and the 

rangers office at Healey Hall Mills has trail guides 

and fact sheets to help you make the most of your 

visit to the dell. There’s a recently extended, 6km 

cycleway running from Rochdale through Healey 

Dell and on up to Britannia; look out for the signs 

for Route 92. W: www.healeydell.org.uk. 

For those seeking an adrenaline rush 6. Cowm 

Leisure have the ideal site for an army of off-road 

activities: Trials Bikes, Road Legal 4 x 4’s, Pit Bikes, 

Remote Controlled Cars and Cyclo Trials Bikes can 

tackle the challenge of the natural terrain in a 150 

acre, disused quarry. W: www.cowmleisure.com 

7. Lobden Golf Club is located high on the 

moor-tops above Whitworth. This 9 hole course 

provides incredible views of the surrounding 

countryside and although it may not be long by 

today’s standards, at 5250 metres, it is without 

doubt a challenge for all golfers. When the wind 

blows, and it often does, you will do well to play to 

your handicap! W: www.lobdengolfclub.co.uk. 

Some of the wildest scenery in Rossendale can 

be found at near-by 8. Brown Wardle Hill, which 

is popular with hang-gliders and para-gliders. If you 

fancy giving this a go, Airborne UK can get you off 

the ground with this thrilling sport; they use Brown 

Wardle Hill as their training site. 

W: www.airborne.uk.com 

For something more sedate, on Tuesdays and 

Saturdays 9. Whitworth Heritage Museum opens 

its doors, where you can find out all about the lives 

of ordinary Lancashire folk through a collection 

of objects, tools and clothes of their everyday 

existence. Opening times are on Tuesdays from 

19.30 - 21.30 and Saturday 14.00 – 16.00. Other 

opening times are by arrangement 

T: 01706 853510. 

Conservation Area: Whitworth Town Square. 

Explore Whitworth 


6 

1 

3 

2 

8 

9 

4 

7 

5 

Whitworth Heritage Museum



Bacup 

Bacup has a quirky 

mix of things for 

visitors to dip into. 

One of its claims 

to fame is that it is 

the source of the 

River Irwell. 

Visitors come from all over the world to 

see the colourful Britannia Coconutters 

folk dance their way through the streets 

of Bacup. With their blackened faces, 

turban-like decorated hats, red and white kilts, white 

stockings and shining black Lancashire clogs, they are 

a sight to behold. They always gather at the Travellers 

Rest Public House on Easter Saturday at around 9.00am. 

Accompanied by the Stacksteads Silver Band they 

dance from pub to pub around the boundaries of the 

town. There’s a great atmosphere and it’s well worth 

experiencing the festival atmosphere at this unique local 

event. 

The River Irwell is thought to originate from Irwell 

Springs, high up on Deerplay Moor, once the site of 

an old colliery. If you fancy a walk to freshen up your 

day there’s a footpath up onto the moor just by the 

1. Deerplay Inn, it takes you up to Thieveley Pike 

(449m/1268 ft above sea level). 

Continuing with the outdoors theme extreme 

mountain biking awaits any adrenaline junkies at 2. Lee 

Quarry, part of the Pennine Lancashire Adrenaline 

Gateway, more information on this unique destination 

can be found on p64. 

3. Bacup Golf Club openly welcomes visitors. 

Offering spectacular scenery and challenging golf, this 9 

hole course is located on the moors above Bacup. There 

is no need to book in advance although weekends can 

be busy; Tuesday is ladies day. T: 01706 873170 

W: www.bacupgolfclub.com 

Not every area can boast its own telescope, but 

high on the moors above the town of Bacup there’s an 

4. Astronomy Centre. At the moment the centre opens 

on Saturday evenings from 19.30 onwards. So if it’s a 

clear Saturday evening check it out: you could be in for a 

surprise. W: www.astronomycentre.org.uk. 

5. Bacup Market is held on Wednesday and 

Britannia Coconutters 

Saturday with a selection of stalls selling household 

goods, clothes and food; including award winning cooked 

meats. A flea market is held on Friday. Market stalls are 

open for business from 09.00hrs to 16.00hrs. 

Animal lovers and families will definitely enjoy 

a visit to 6. Animal Quackers, a real working farm. 

Watch the animal antics, assist at feeding time and 

get close-up; there’s no better way to learn all about 

animals. The farm centre is ideal for families with 

children: donkey rides, a soft play area and bouncy castle 

are available every day. T: 01706 875492 W: www. 

animalquackersfarm.co.uk 

If you are in the town centre of Bacup see if you 

can find 7. Elgin St., (OL13 8HE) one of Great Britain’s 

shortest streets. At 17’ 2” it’s no longer in the Guinness 

Book of Records but it is still a very short street. 

At first sight 8. Bacup’s Royal Court Theatre looks 

small and unimposing but once inside it’s like Dr Who’s 

tardis. Where else would you find a theatre with stairs 

going down to the circle not up! Built as an iron foundry 

and converted to a theatre in 1892, the original fixtures 

and fittings really add to the performances staged by 

Bacup Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society, W: 

www.bacuproyalcourttheatre.co.uk T: 01706 874080. 

In 2009 visitors can look forward to performances of: 

Annie from 16th to 19th September and The Full Monty 

from 19th to 22nd November. 

If you are interested in the local history of the area 

there’s a wealth of industrial, religious, household and 

military artefacts collected and catalogued by local 

volunteers at 9. Bacup’s Natural History Museum. The 

museum is open to the public on Thursday evenings 

from 19.30 hrs and Easter Saturday from 10.00 to 15.30 

hrs. T: 01706 873042.

Call 01706 252411 


12 

Explore Bacup 

1 

9 

3 7 5 

6 

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4 

At 10. Deer View Farm the aim is to 

provide visitors with the opportunity to 

see where their food comes from, giving 

them a true field to plate experience. 

Enjoy watching the pigs and other livestock 

content in their free range, eco friendly 

environment. Afterwards you can relax in 

the tea-rooms and browse the farm shop, 

which sells home produced free range 

meat, bacon and sausages. T: 01706 875407 

W: www.deerviewfarmshop.co.uk 

If you are keen on producing and eating 

home grown produce you might want to 

check out 11. Stubbylee Greenhouses, 

at Stubbylee Park, where green-fingered 

volunteers cultivate and sell plants and 

vegetables directly to the public. For 

opening times please call 01706 872111. 

Stacksteads is on the road from Bacup 

to Waterfoot and its the centre for one 

of the world’s craziest competitions – The 

World Gravy Wrestling Championships. 

This family fun day is held at the 12. Rose’ 

n’ Bowl, Stacksteads where you can watch 

or participate as contestants slip ‘n’ slide 

in a pool of warm gravy. If you are up for 

a bit of fun to support the East Lancashire 

Hospice and don’t mind getting smothered 

in gravy teams and individuals can enter 

by ringing 01706 879555. The dress code 

is fancy and entertaining but nothing too 

risqué. 

Conservation Area: Bacup Town Centre. 

Did you know? 

At 17’ 2” Elgin St., is one 

of England’s shortest 

streets. 

Animal Quackers



Friendly faces at Waterfoot 

Water, Lumb, Waterfoot 

and Cowpe 

With village names like Water and 

Waterfoot, one would expect this 

to be a watery valley and it is. 

Whitwell Brook flows discretely 

down the valley, concealed in 

places, by the development of 

mills and terraced dwellings 

disappearing and reappearing at 

whim. It merges with the River 

Irwell at Waterfoot, finally flowing 

into the River Mersey at Irlam, 

near Manchester. 

Expect a day of fresh air in this valley of water. 

Pathways are plentiful; quite a chunk of the Mary 

Towneley Loop weaves it’s way up to the boundary 

with Burnley. Look out for the route, marked with 

an acorn, it’s part of the Pennine Bridleway national 

trail so it can be used by walkers, mountain bikers 

and horse riders. A good place to join the path is at 

the bottom of Cowpe Road, Waterfoot. 

To see the valley from a different perspective 

you might like to venture out on a 1. Peers Clough 

Packhorse. These locally bred Fell ponies with 

wide bodies and sturdy legs are ideally suited to the 

terrain, providing riders with a sense of comfort and 

security. Rides vary in length from one hour to five 

day mini breaks; for riders age 13 years and over. 

W: www.peerscloughpackhorses.co.uk 

Further up the Whitewell Valley 2. Clough 

Bottom Reservoir has some great pathways 

through sheltered pine forests and across 

windswept moorland and is sign posted off Burnley 

Road East. 

Just below Clough Bottom Reservoir on the 

opposite side of the road and to the right of a 

pylon you can pick up the Rossendale Way which

Call 01706 252411 


Explore Water, Lumb, 

Waterfoot and Cowpe 

5 

9 8 3 4 

7 

1 

2 


will take you along old packhorse trails to 

Compston’s Cross. Erected by local historian 

and ex-mayor of Rossendale, the cross 

indicates the site where two ancient crosses 

originally marked the way to Whalley Abbey, 

where in years gone by people were married, 

baptised and buried. On a clear day, views of 

Pendle Hill are visible from the moor tops. 

Pick up your lunch at 3. Cordeys Craft 

Bakery in Waterfoot or on the opposite side of 

the road there’s 4. Tim’s Chip Stop who serve 

very tasty fish and chips. For a pub lunch stop 

off at the 5. Hargreaves Arms for a Hargreaves 

Steak and Ale pie and a pint. 

You can enjoy more of the outdoors, by 

trout fishing at 6. Cowpe Reservoir. Located 

at the top of Cowpe Road, just off Waterfoot 

centre, this secluded valley provides the ideal 

spot to fish. Day permits are available with a 

three fish limit from Mace Express Newsagents. 

Keen sports people visiting the Valley 

would do well to visit the Perform Centre in 

Waterfoot. With state of the art sports fitness 

facilities including acclimatisation chambers for 

high altitude work. 

If you’re peckish and in the area in the 

evening; the 7. Buck Inn at Cowpe is a friendly, 

welcoming pub that serves cask ales and tasty 

bar snacks as does the 8. Duke of Buccleuch in 

Waterfoot (pronounced baclue). 

If you are fortunate enough to be in the 

area when the 9. Horse + Bamboo visual 

theatre company are staging a performance, 

make the effort to go and see one of their 

unique productions. Music and story-telling 

are central to their thought-provoking shows 

and they stage a broad range of productions 

throughout the year. 

W: www.horseandbamboo.org 

6 

Cowpe Reservoir 

Did you know? 

There are lots of cloughs and folds in Rossendale 

especially in the Whitwell Brook Valley. A clough 

is a wooded dell with steep banks along a stream. 

When used in a place name the word fold means 

enclosure, or, cluster of buildings forming an 

enclosure.





Atmospheric moorlands, interesting valley villages with 

lots of history behind them, some great local produce 

and characterful people with a superb sense of humour. 

Wendy Davison, Rural Rossendale Trust 

Rawtenstall and 

Crawshawbooth 

Rawtenstall’s historic textile past is very much in 

evidence at every turn you take in the town. Ilex Mill 

dominates the area; a fine example of a 19th Century 

cotton mill now converted to luxury apartments. Row 

after row of stone, terraced houses, some back to back 

and some skilfully built on steep inclines with sharp 

angled roofs, criss-cross the town. 

Start your day with a pleasant riverside walk along 

the River Irwell close to Hardman Mill, another great 

stone workhouse. Kingfishers have been sighted along 

this stretch of river, so watch out for the flashes of blue. 

After your walk, if you are into industrial heritage 

you can steep yourself in history and visit the 1. 

Weavers Cottage Bacup Road, Rawtenstall. Run by 

the Rossendale Civic Trust, visitors can dip into a 

bygone era with one of the finest examples of an 18th 

century loom shop, complete with Victorian kitchen, 

a clog shop, working “tippler toilets” and a tea room 

serving light refreshments. Knowledgeable volunteers 

are always at hand to enhance your understanding of 

Rossendale’s rich local heritage. T: 01706 229828. 

2. Rossendale Museum, is an intriguing museum 

housed within an early Victorian country house, set 

within tranquil 2. Whitaker Park. Discover more about 

this mill-owners home and the local and social history 

Fitzpatricks Temperance Bar 

of the area. Look out for the constantly changing 

exhibition programme and regular family events/ 

activities. Closed: Friday and Monday. 

If you prefer the outdoors 3. Ski Rossendale 

provides dry ski slope facilities for ski-ing, snowboarding 

and snow tubing, three great activities 

for families of all ages. Specialist instructors and all 

equipment is provided with 3 different slopes to choose 

from. T: 01706 226457 W: www.ski-rossendale.co.uk 

If you’ve worked up a thirst, step back in time at 

4. Fitzpatricks the last remaining temperance bar in 

Britain and enjoy a glass of Sarsaparilla or Blood Tonic. 

If you are ready for some lunch 5. Do-Dahs Café Wine 

Bar, The Deli @ 89 Bank St and 6. Café Artisan all 

serve tasty lunch-time snacks. 

Everyone who visits Rossendale should take a 

trip down memory lane on the wonderfully restored 

7. East Lancashire Railway. With stops at Irwell Vale, 

Ramsbottom, Summerseat, Bury and Heywood there 

is plenty of opportunity for travellers to stop off and 

explore the Lancashire villages and towns en-route. The 

railway really shines when it comes to staging events, 

especially the award winning Wartime Weekend; so 

it’s worth taking some time out to see if there are any 

family fun days planned. T: 0161 764 7790 

W: www.east-lancs-rly.co.uk 

Just on the main roundabout near the East 

Lancashire Railway Station, look out for the Bocholt 

Tree. Decorations on this sculpture sometimes 

mysteriously appear overnight.

Call 01706 252411 


If you fancy a spot of shopping you can visit 

8. Rawtenstall Market, and work your way down 

9. Bank Street, and the neighbouring streets 

for some great independent retail outlets. Most 

noteworthy are: Sunday Best - definitely for the 

fashionista, their range is as good as you’d find in 

any large city centre – the staff are more friendly 

and helpful too! Bellusci, Butterworth Jones, 

Dress With Finesse and, Remy all have distinctive 

fashion collections, Allpresses have top quality 

bags, Bolthole for quirky gifts. 

You can’t go far wrong for evening dining 

in Rawtenstall, there’s something to suit every 

palate from fine dining at 10. The Dining Room. 

There is a great selection of eateries on 11. Bacup 

Road from pizzas and pasta at Ninos, to 

tasty tapas at Casa Tapas and spicy curries 

at The Ashoka Restaurant and The Nila 

Restaurant. 

Three kilometres up the Limy Water 

from Rawtenstall you will arrive at 

Crawshawbooth. (Look out for Novaks on 

the way, famous for it’s branded clothing at 

discount prices). If you are a hardened foodie 

it’s worth stopping off at Rileys Butchers, 

which is more than just a butchers, with a 

superb range of locally reared meats, cheeses 

and unique deli lines. For more uniqueness 

visit the 12. See Gallery in Crawshawbooth 

where unusual art by local artists is exhibited 

and up for sale. 

More heritage awaits you in 

Crawshawbooth at the 13. Friends 

Meeting House, one of the first Quaker 

meeting houses to be built in Lancashire, 

dating back to 1715, the place is steeped 

in history. Regular meetings take place at 

11.00 every Sunday with a Heritage open 

weekend in September. W: www.tudo.co.uk/ 

quakers_craw. Close to Crawshawbooth 14. 

Goodshaw Fold is a designated Conservation 

Area where you will find an old Baptist 

Chapel dating back to 1855. 

Skirting the fringes of the Rossendale 

boundary you can try your hand at something 

new at 15. Clowbridge Reservoir. It’s a 

RYA recognised teaching establishment for 

Dinghy Sailing and Windsurfing levels 1 and 

Did you know? 

A Quakers meeting is based on silence, 

there’s no hymns, no prayers and no priest 

2. Taster sessions are available if you’re unsure if this is the thing 

for you. For more advance windsurfers there’s a techniques 

clinic. At 275m above sea level Clowbridge Reservoir is a windy 

awakening. Highly rated by windsurf users especially if there’s an 

easterly wind. W: www.rvsc.co.uk T: 01282 421674 (BB11 5PF). 

With walks close-by at Dunnockshaw Community Woodland 

this is a great outdoors destination. 

Conservation Areas: Rawtenstall Town Centre, Fallbarn, Higher 

Cloughfold, Loveclough Fold, Goodshaw Fold. 

Explore Rawtenstall 

and Crawshawbooth 


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15



Halo Panopticon 

Did you know? 

Wesley once passed through Stonefold 

village along the Kings Highway and 

vowed he would never return because 

the roads were so rough! 

Haslingden 

Haslingden means ‘valley of the 

hazels’ but the trees have now 

given way to an impressive and 

very contemporary, panopticon 

sculpture called the Halo. 

Located at Top O’ Slate, this 18 metre, lattice steel-work 

sculpture, which glows in the dark, looks like it’s just 

landed from outer space! 

A walk up to the 1. Halo is a great way to commence 

your visit to the town of Haslingden and on a clear 

day you can see the city of Manchester and the hills of 

North Wales. If you are feeling really energetic there’s a 

network of footpaths and woodland walks in the area. 

The Shoe Trail can be accessed from the Halo which 

takes you to the East Lancashire Railway at Rawtenstall 

(just follow the clay shoes) or the old 2. Kings Highway, a 

former packhorse trail, will take you to Stonefold Village, 

Accrington and beyond. 

After you’ve taken in the view from Top o’ Slate 

head down into Haslingden town and seek out 

the seven commemorative blue plaques which 

are dotted around to mark local historical events. 

Believe it or not Haslingden was home to the first 

written IQ test! 

By this time you will probably be feeling hungry 

and there’s no better place to go than the legendary 

3. Cissy Greens pie shop at 30 Deardengate, 

Haslingden. Stock up on their delicious, hand raised 

pies; great for picnics or to take home for you and 

your foodie friends. 

Cissy Green’s hand-raised pie

Call 01706 252411 


Explore Haslingden 


5 6 

4 

3 

7 

Look out for the Commemorative 

Blue Plaques 

in and around Haslingden 

1. Sykeside House, commemorating that Alan 

Rawsthorne, the famous composer, lived there. 

2. The old Wesleyan school (now Haslingden 

medical centre site) where the first written IQ 

test was taken. 

3. Haslingden Library, to commemorate Michael 

Davitt, the Irish patriot who lived in the town 

for many years. 

4. Haslingden’s Memorial Garden, for the war 

memorial unveiled by Lord Derby. 

5. The New Inn (now the Mary Hindle Resource 

Centre) for the trials of the power loom 

rioters, some were sentenced to hard labour in 

Australia. 

6. Coal Hey House, weavers cottage, to mark the 

checks and ginghams of the Watts family. 

7. The Commercial Hotel, because Sir Winston 

Churchill stayed there on 27th September 1900. 

2 

1 

8 

Haslingden is also home to the 4. Real Lancashire 

Black Pudding Company, famous for its award 

winning black puddings. These ‘black beauties’ are 

readily available in butchers shops throughout 

Rossendale and at the farmers’ market. 

For some truly delicious pub food using 

local produce why not try the 5. Farmers Glory 

Pub which serves meals at lunch time and in the 

evening. Located on the B6236 the Farmers 

Glory offers fine food in a country setting and 

serves Daniel Thwaites Beer, which is brewed 

locally, in Blackburn. 

After lunch, visit 6. Winfield’s Megastore at 

Haslingden, it’s mill shopping at its best. Located 

at Hazel Mill, Blackburn Rd., Haslingden, you’ll 

find bargain buys on: tents, camping equipment, 

ski-wear, work-wear, rucksacks, luggage, fashion 

clothes, shoes, plus designer wellies and a whole 

host of other items; it’s definitely well worth a 

visit. 

7. Haslingden Market at Blackburn Road, 

Haslingden, has an interesting mix of stalls selling 

fresh produce, pet accessories, cooked meats, 

greeting cards and more. Expect a very warm 

Lancashire welcome, on Tuesday and Friday 9am- 

4pm, at this neat little outdoor market. 

W: www.rossendale.gov.uk/markets 

With its new club house, 8. Rossendale Golf 

Club is one of the premier golfing locations in 

East Lancashire. Visitors are invited to try out 

this 18 hole, golf course with beautiful views of 

the surrounding Rossendale hills, situated just on 

the fringes of Haslingden at Ewood Lane Head. T: 

01706 831339 W: www.rossendalegolfclub.net 

For more information to make the most 

of your visit to Haslingden there’s a really 

comprehensive blogspot for all things historical 

visit: http://haslingdens.blogspot.com



2 

Helmshore Mills Textile Museum 

Helmshore 

There’s enough to keep 

most visitors busy for at least 

a day in Helmshore. Set on 

the River Ogden, Helmshore 

is a pretty village with a rich 

textile history and lots of 

things to see and do. 

You could start your morning with a brisk 30 minute walk 

on the well-made footpath around 1. Calf-Hey Reservoir, 

taking in the spectacular views of the Haslingden Grane 

Valley. You’ve a number of options for morning coffee 

starting with 2. Clough Head Café, which is just a little 

further up the A6177 from Calf Hey on the right hand 

side. Alternatively you could head back down towards 

Haslingden stopping off at the 3. Conservatory Tea Rooms 

@ Holden Wood Antiques. If you are into antiques and 

collectables you’re sure to find something to add to your 

collection as the antiques centre is home to 35 specialist 

antique dealers all under the roof of a former church. 

The award winning, newly revamped, 4. Helmshore 

Mills Textile Museum is a must see, especially as it has been 

recently judged Lancashire’s ‘Best Small Visitor Attraction 

2009’. Praised for it’s ‘commitment to excellence’ in

Call 01706 252411 


1 

Explore Helmshore 

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6 

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4 

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providing high quality facilities for visitors 

that enable both adults and children to learn 

about a bygone era of textile manufacturing. 

You can lunch at the museums 4. Coffee 

Mill Café which serves fresh food made on 

the premises or cross over the road to 5. 

Tor Café at Musbury @ Home. For those of 

you who prefer a pub lunch the 6. Holden 

Arms or the 7 Duke of Wellington provide 

excellent food at great value for money. 

If you’ve still got plenty of energy and 

want to grab a bargain 5. Musbury Fabrics 

offer a superb range of bed linen, towels, 

curtains, cushions and fabrics at great prices 

and don’t forget to stock up on Lancashire 

dish cloths at the same time! 

For a gastro pub experience the 8. 

White Horse offers fine dining for the more 

discerning diner and the 9. Robin Hood at 

Helmshore serves Copper Dragon Ales 

and selected locally brewed guest beers to 

quench your thirst after a hard day of seeing 

and doing! 

Every 1st Sunday in the month the 

Textile Museum car park is home to the 10. 

Rossendale Farmers’ and Produce Market, 

where between the hours of 9.30 and 14.30 

you can purchase delicious, locally produced 

lamb, beef and pork along with Lancashire 

cheeses and locally made Black Puddings. 

En-route to Haslingden from Helmshore 

you can enjoy another short walk at a pretty 

stretch of the River Ogden down at 11. Snig 

Hole. 

For families with children 12. Cronkshaw 

Fold Farm offers: den building wide games, 

orienteering, farm visits, pond dipping and 

much, much more... Visit the calendar page at 

W: www.cronkshaw.co.uk search on calendar 

page for more information on family activities. 

You need to keep your eyes peeled when 

you’re in this area as buzzards frequently swirl 

overhead. 

Did you know? 

A snig is an eel, so Snig Hole 

was named after the eels 

that used to live in this spot 

of the River Ogden 

Snig Hole



Did you know? 

Stubbins relates to tree stumps suggesting 

that trees were once cleared from the area 

to make way for the numerous mills which 

were built in the 19th Century. 



Warm hearted and friendly people who 

always have time to ‘chew the fat’. 

John Earnshaw 

The Old Stables @ Tippett Farm, 

Self-catering Farmhouse 

Edenfield 

Edenfield, Stubbins 

and Irwell Vale 

Like other villages in Rossendale, 

Edenfield, Stubbins and Irwell 

Vale have been shaped by their 

industrial past; in fact there’s still 

an active quarry at Edenfield. 

1. Scout Moor and the largest on shore wind farm in 

England dominate the local landscape. At Edenfield there’s 

a really pretty walk at Dearden Clough and Plunge Mill 

ruins; head up Michael Wife Lane, off the A680, sign-posted 

Rochdale. If you are feeling really energetic you could walk 

up to the Scout Moor wind farm and 2. Waugh’s Well. 

There’s a fairly clear route up to the wind farm from 3. 

Owd Betts pub on the A680. Waugh’s Well is a 

hillside memorial to Lancashire dialect writer and 

poet Edwin Waugh. 

En route you will pass through Turn Village, sitting 

in the shadow of Scout Moor, more a hamlet than 

a village, and home to the North West Scything 

Festival, an annual event which takes place in July. 

4. The Fishermans Retreat is accessed from 

Turn Village just follow the signs. This popular 

eatery is great for lunch time or evening dining see 

page 48 for more information about this great local 

restaurant. 

Former coaching houses and now public 

houses, 5. The Rostron Arms, 6. The Horse and 

Jockey (with adjoining Anton’s Italian Restaurant) 

and 7. The Coach and Horses line Market Street, 

the main road running through Edenfield. Closeby 

you will find 8. Sixsmiths craft bakery selling 

freshly baked bread and lunch time snacks; whilst 9. 

Valentines Butchers sell award winning sausages.

Call 01706 252411 


Tasty fish, chips and mushy peas are available at the 

10. Bizzy Plaice Fish and Chip Shop and the 11. Village 

Chippy at Stubbins. 

More mills abound in Stubbins. It’s great for 

cycleways which run along the old railway lines and 

there are pleasant riverside walks to the hamlet of 

Strongstry and the village of Irwell Vale. There’s national 

trust land at Stubbins which takes you up onto 12. 

Holcombe Moor where 13. Peel Tower stands perched 

on the hill top. 

Irwell Vale is a typical Lancashire mill village in a 

designated Conservation Area with fine examples of 

stone-terraced, mill cottages at Bowker St. 14. The East 

Lancashire Steam Railway has a halt at Irwell Vale and 

it’s worth breaking your journey at this point to see 

this pretty little village set on the Rivers Ogden and 

Irwell. The area near the viaduct was known as “Little 

Blackpool” because of the first-class bathing in the river’s 

pools. 

There’s a really innovative soap-making business 

located at Irwell Vale. You can make on-line purchases 

of beautifully gift wrapped organic soaps and skin care 

products from 15. Essentially Natural 

W: www.e-nat.co.uk. There are products for vegans, 

soaps for eczema sufferers, every-day soaps, scrubby 

soaps and sheer indulgence soaps. Become a member of 

the soap club and take advantage of generous product 

discounts and deals on postage. The owner has another 

string to his bow and plays Jazz Piano at Anton’s Italian 

Restaurant in Edenfield at the weekend! 

Conservation Areas: Irwell Vale, Chatterton/Strongstry. 

Peel Tower 

Explore Edenfield, Stubbins and Irwell Vale 

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© Crown Copyright Rossendale Borough Council License Number 100018418



FAMILY FUN 

East Lancashire Railway 

Attractions in Rossendale 

Discover and enjoy a selection 

of first class attractions whilst 

visiting Rossendale. 

The newest attraction in Rossendale is the Halo, one of 

Pennine Lancashire’s four unique Panopticons. Designed 

by John Kennedy of LandLab, the 18m diameter, steel 

sculpture commands spectacular views from it’s position 

on the newly landscaped ground at Top o’ Slate above 

Haslingden. At night-time the Halo gives off an eerie blue 

glow, lit by wind-powered led lights. 

Extend your visit and have a stroll on the newly 

made footpaths and woodland walks in the area, just 

follow the footpath signs. 

The award winning, newly revamped, Helmshore 

Mills Textile Museum is a must see. Take some time 

out to visit ‘The Best Small Visitor Attraction in 

Lancashire 2009’ and you will find friendly and 

informative staff, hands-on interactive displays, 

videos, a working waterwheel and working 

machinery demonstrations focusing on both wool 

and cotton. 

Rossendale Museum has something for all 

with a super selection of natural history and local 

history exhibits. The museum is situated in the 

heart of Whitaker Park with family friendly events 

taking place on selected dates throughout the 

year. The park has lots of green, open spaces 

for children to burn off their surplus energy and 

excellent playground facilities for both younger and 

older children. Admission to the museum is free. 

For families looking to get started in snow 

sports there’s no better place begin than the 

slopes of Ski Rossendale. The nursery slope 

provides the ideal environment to get families off 

to a great start in both skiing and snowboarding

Call 01706 252411 


Key Contacts 

Haslingden Sports Centre 

T: 01706 227016 


T: 01706 226459 

Marl Pits Pool & Sports Complex 

T: 01706 226850 

Rossendale Museum 

T: 01706 260785 

Rossendale United Football Club 

T: 01706 215119 

Royal Court Theatre 

T: 01706 874080 

Ski Rossendale 

T: 01706 226457 


The East Lancashire Railway 

T: 0161 764 7790 

Fudge Village 

T: 01706 852795 

Swimming Pools 

There are three swimming pools in the 

Rossendale Valley one at Rawtenstall, 

Haslingden and Whitworth. 

Rawtenstall – With its light and airy 

atmosphere the modern, 25-metre pool has 

facilities for all ages including a smaller, warmer 

pool, which is ideal for babies and younger 

children. Newchurch Road, Rawtentall, BB4 

7SN, T: 01706 226850. 

Haslingden – This traditional pool boasts a 

popular health suite, comprising of a sauna, 

steam room, spa pool and relaxation area. East 

Bank Avenue, Haslingden, BB4 6NX, T: 01706 

215883. 

Whitworth – The Leisure Centre has a 

main pool and warmer learner pool plus 

The Spodden Suite gymnasium. John Street, 

Whitworth OL12 8BT, T: 01706 852694 

and the on-site team of specialist instructors 

are well-experienced at getting the best out of 

children and adults alike. Book your place today, all 

the necessary equipment is provided, so you’ve no 

need to worry about a thing. 

For a family day out visit the wonderfully 

restored East Lancashire Railway. There is plenty 

of opportunity for things to see and do along the 

way and you can break your journey at the various 

mill towns and villages that line the route. 

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, Fudge Village 

at Facit, near Whitworth is the place to be. 

Chocolatiers, in themed fancy dress, will escort 

you up to the Chocolate Room where you will 

be able make your very own chocolate creation 

(selected dates only). 

For something different why not visit the 

Astronomy Centre situated above Bacup, high up 

on the moors away from the glare of street lights.

32 www.visitrossendale.com Visitor Information Hotline

Call 01706 252411 

Rossendale Visitors Guide 33



THEATRE & ARTS 



Wild hillsides, cultural & artistic integrity, 

diversity of activityand a warm welcome. 

Joy McCarthy, Cronkshaw Fold Farm 

Horse + Bamboo Theatre 

Internationally acclaimed 

theatre and artwork is right 

on Rossendale’s doorstep 

with a rich seam of artists 

working out of the old mills 

and heritage buildings of 

Rossendale. 

Theatre 

Jane Horrocks, well known actress and homespun star, 

is the honorary president of Horse + Bamboo Theatre, 

one of Europe’s leading visual theatre companies. Their 

multi-purpose arts venue, The Boo, in Waterfoot, runs 

a seasonal programme of great theatre for families; with 

other fun events including the scary Skeletons Ball. W: 

www.horseandbamboo.org, T: 01706 220241 

More entertaining theatre performances can be seen 

at the New Millenium Theatre, home to well established, 

Rossendale Players. Ghost Writer is being staged from 

26.09.09 to 03.10.09. and Caught in the Net, a farce by Ray 

Cooney from 24.11.09 to 28.11.09. T: 01706 228720, 

W: www.rossendaleplayers.org.uk

Call 01706 252411 


At the Royal Court Theatre, Bacup, visitors can enjoy 

performances of: Annie from 16th to 19th September 

2009 and The Full Monty from 19th to 22nd 

November 2009. T: 01706 874080, 

W: www.bacuproyalcourttheatre.co.uk 

Art 

The heritage buildings of Rossendale are being kept 

alive by a network of valley artists. Don McKinlay, 

working at his slipper factory studio at Cloughfold, 

Rawtenstall, is undoubtedly one of the most talented 

artists to come from the North West of England 

with his wide-ranging versatility in painting, sculpture 

and print-making. W: www.donmckinlay.co.uk 

Liam Spencer lives and works in Rossendale. 

His ‘Urban Panoramas’ solo exhibition, at the 

Lowry Arts Centre, Salford, provided the platform 

to launch his career as one of the North West’s 

leading artists. Well-known for painting spectacular, 

urban landscapes his rural landscapes have great 

appeal too. W: www.liamspencer.co.uk 


Key 

Contacts 


T: 01706 220241 

Mid Pennine Arts 

T: 01282 421986 

Rossendale Players 

T: 01706 228720 

Royal Court Theatre 

T: 01706 874080 

See Gallery 

T: 01706 220269 

Liam Spencer 

Horse + Bamboo is one of Europe’s 

leading visual theatre companies and 

unique in the UK. We tour nationally 

and internationally but retain a 

strong commitment to our local 

community in Pennine Lancashire, 

where our space, the Boo, is a venue, 

a creative space for other artists, and 

a community hub.



The late Dave Pearson was another prolific 

producer of ‘off the wall’ paintings, prints, threedimensional 

tableaux, multimedia presentations 

and large-scale constructions, who resided in 

Rossendale. His popular artworks are now much 

sought after. 

The Valley Artists Group, a non-profit making 

collective, is based in a former mill in Waterfoot. 

Painters, printmakers, textile artists and sculptors 

are committed to raising the profile of art in 

the local and wider community via open days, 

workshops and exhibitions. Visitors are welcome 

by prior appointment, W: www.valleyartists.co.uk 

And Globe Artists, working out of Globe 

Mill, Waterfoot, bring together artists from many 

disciplines. 

See Gallery in Crawshawbooth is the conduit 

to local valley artists. They exhibit and sell art by 

local and regional artists, including some works by 

Liam Spencer. There is always a fantastic mixed 

exhibition of locally produced artwork on the lead 

up to Christmas. 

Liam Spencer 

Interview with Jackie and Julian 

at See Gallery 

Q. What is happening in the art world in 

Rossendale? 

A. At first glance one might say very little, 

because much of the work takes place 

unseen, in the mills and buildings of the 

past. There is definitely a creative buzz 

in Rossendale now; with a circle of very 

talented artists who have great respect for 

one another’s work. 

Q. What sort of art is exhibited at See 

Gallery? 

A. We are the route to the many of the 

local artists who seem to trust us. Our 

philosophy is to support and showcase 

local artists. We have exhibited Liam 

Spencer’s work, we manage the late Ray 

Lowry’s portfolio and some of his work is 

always on show in the gallery. 

Q. What’s the wackiest bit of art-work 

you’ve ever exhibited at See Gallery? 

A. We only show work if we like it and a guy 

called Bob Nancollis, created a piece of 

live-art and we had live rabbits running 

around the studio for a few weeks! 

Q. What is your vision? 

A. Our aim is to take art to everyone. Our 

point of view is why decorate your home 

with a print from Ikea for a £100 when 

you can have a original piece of locally 

produced art-work for the same money; 

we’ll even throw in a brew served in a 

mug! We actively encourage people to 

cross over our threshold knowing that 

they’ll be pleasantly surprised once they do.

Call 01706 252411 


Rossendale Museum has a great gallery space gallery with demonstrations by Ten 

Plus Textile Group 9th September 2009- 11th October and an exhibition of valley 

artists work 11th October to 22nd November 2009. T: 01706 260785, 

W: www.lancashire.gov.uk 

Outdoor Sculptures 

21st century sculptures have been created and set in the natural beauty of the 

Rossendale Hills, purposely located in key vantage points to provide dramatic views 

of the Pennine Lancashire countryside. The Halo Panopticon appears to hover over 

the town of Haslingden and can be seen for miles around. The Singing Ringing Tree, 

on the Rossendale – Burnley boundary, is a musical sculpture which harnesses the 

power of the wind to play a tune. 

The Singing Ringing Tree 

Mid Pennine Arts, a unique arts group, whose aim is to get the 

local community to embrace art more, have succeeded in enriching 

the art experience in Rossendale for visitors aswell The Shoe Trail, 

a Mid Pennine Arts project, is testament to this. With a continuous 

programme of arts projects taking place throughout the area you 

never know what’s going to appear on the horizon next. 

W: www.midpenninearts.org.uk 

The Irwell Sculpture Trail, with outdoor art dotted along a 

53km (33 mile) stretch of the River Irwell from Bacup to Salford 

Quays is set to be transformed and relaunched in 2010. 

There’s a real celebration of art and culture throughout the 

Rossendale Valley.



EVENTS & FESTIVALS 

Events and Festivals 

In Rossendale we seem to have 

more than our fair share of colourful 

characters who are prepared 

to have a go at the strangest of 

activities: from Gravy Wrestling to 

Tasty Walks, Rossendale has it all. 

Even if you don’t fancy taking part 

yourself, these events are highly 

entertaining to watch. 

FREE 

£ 

£ 

FREE 

£ 

£ 

FREE 

First Sunday of the Month - 09.30 

Rossendale Farmers’ Market, Helmshore 

01772 815629 www.rossendalefarmersmarket.co.uk 

Every Monday - 20.30 

Bacup Folk Club - Various Artists, Bacup 

01706 874549 www.bacupfolkclub.co.uk 

Fourth Sunday of the Month - 11.30 

Black Pudding Hashing, Various 

www.blackpuddinghashers.vpweb.co.uk 

30 Aug 2009 - 31 Aug 2009 - 7.30 Red Lion 

Red Kat Charity Bike Ride 09, Whitworth and Blackpool 

01706 861441 www.redlionwhitworth.co.uk 

30 Aug 2009 - 12.00 

Family Fun Day, Haslingden 

01706 831180 

31 Aug 2009 - See ELR Website 

Teddy Bear’s Picnic, Bury 

0161 764 7790 www.east-lancs-rly.co.uk 

05 Sept 2009 - 20.00 

Elvis Night, Rawtenstall 

01706 211114 www.cafe-ar tisan.co.uk 

Did you know? 

Andy John currently holds the world 

record for Clog Cobbing which stands 

at 93 feet. 

FREE 

£ 

FREE 

FREE 

£ 

FREE 

World Gravy Wrestling Championships 


Rossendale Round the Hills Walk, Bacup 

07818 054529 www.bacuprotary.org.uk/rth 


Brownbacks Racing - Hope XC Race Series 2!, Bacup 

www.brownbacksracing.co.uk 

09 Sept 2009 - 11 Oct 2009 - Opening 

Ten Plus at Rossendale 2009: An Exhibition of 

Contemporary Textile Art, Rawtenstall 

01706 260785 www.lancashire.gov.uk/museums 


Kristianne’s Acoustic Lounge, Rawtenstall 


11 Sept 2009 - 12 Sept 2009 - 19.30 

X-RAYS: Beat It, Rawtenstall 

07870 442747 www.beat-it.robormerod.co.uk 

12 Sept 2009 - 13 Sept 2009 - Sat 12.00 Sun 11.00 

Heritage Open Day, Helmshore 

01706 226459 www.lancashire.gov.uk/museums

Call 01706 252411 


FREE 

£ 

FREE 

£ 

£ 

FREE 

£ 

FREE 

£ 

£ 

FREE 

FREE 

£ 

£ 

FREE 

12 Sept 2009 - 13 Sept 2009 - Sat 09.30 Sun 12.15 

Heritage Open Day, Crawshawbooth 

01706 212507 www.tudo.co.uk/quakers_craw 


The Modfathers, Rawtenstall 



Whitworth Rush Cart, Whitworth 

01706 852018 www.whitworth.gov.uk 

14 Sept 2009 - 18 Jul 2010 

Cotton Shed Theatre Company, Haslingden 

01706 214309 

17 Sept 2009 - 19 Sept 2009 - Thurs/Fri/Sat 19.30 Sat 14.30 

Annie (musical), Bacup 

01706 874080 www.bacuproyalcourttheatre.co.uk 

19 Sept 2009 - 20 Sept 2009 - TBC 

Wakes Weekend at the Mills, Helmshore 



The Semi’s, Rawtenstall 



Tabula Rasa presents Peggy The Laundry Child, Waterfoot 

01706 220241 www.horseandbamboo.org 


Demonstrations by Members of Ten Plus Textile Group, 

Rawtenstall 



Rossendale Organ & Keyboard Club - Eddie Ruhier 

(KD - New), Newchurch 

01706 213110 www.rokc.fsnet.co.uk 


The Big Screen Comes to Bacup., Bacup 



Acoustic Night with Nick Bold, Rawtenstall 



Granny’s Attic Sale, Haslingden 

01706 223351 or 01706 225858 

26 Sept 2009 - 27 Sept 2009 - See ELR Website 

Home Front & Allied 1940s Wartime Weekend, Bury 



Hot Fuss, Rawtenstall 





£ 

£ 

£ 

FREE 

FREE 

FREE 

FREE 

£ 

£ 

£ 

£ 

£ 

£ 

£ 

£ 

£ 

03 Oct 2009 - 05 Oct 2009 - Various 

Rural Rossendale Walking Festival,Rossendale 

07746 556337 www.ruralrossendale.co.uk 

03 Oct 2009 - 10 Oct 2009 - 19.30 

Ghost Writer, Waterfoot 

01706 228720 www.rossendaleplayers.org.uk 

03 Oct 2009 - 04 Oct 2009 - See 

Family Engines BIG Day Out, Bury 


03 Oct 2009 - 25 Oct 2009 - 08.00 

North West Equestrian Open Championship Show 

(Weekends only), Rising Bridge 

01706 213632 www.crofttop.co.uk 

04 Oct 2009 - 13.30 

Demonstrations by Members of Ten Plus Textile Group, 

Rawtenstall 


17 Oct 2009 - 22 Nov 2009 - Opening 

Rossendale Artists Exhibition, Rawtenstall 






Rossendale Organ & Keyboard Club - TBA, Newchurch 



Handheld Theatre presents Time For Tea, Waterfoot 



The Big Screen Comes to Bacup, Bacup 



A Horrible Halloween at the Mill, Helmshore 



Halloween Ghost Train at ELR, Bury 


01 Nov 2009 - 15.00 

The Skeleton’s Ball, Waterfoot 


14 Nov 2009 - 10.30 

Christmas Fair, Haslingden 

01706 223351 or 01706 225858 


Rossendale Organ & Keyboard Club - Stephen Austin 

Technics, Newchurch 


18 Nov 2009 - 21 Nov 2009 - 19.30 

Full Monty, Bacup 

01706 874080 www.bacuproyalcourttheatre.co.uk



£ 

£ 

£ 

£ 

FREE 

£ 

£ 

£ 

£ 


Caught in the Net - Rossendale Players (Show ONLY), 

Bacup 



Caught in the Net - Rossendale Players (Dinner 

Theatre), Bacup 



Deep Time Cabaret, Waterfoot 


28 Nov2009 - 29 Nov 2009 - See ELR Website 

Santa Steam Specials, Bury 


29 Nov 2009 - TBC 

Whitworth Christmas Lights Switch On & Christmas 

Market, Whitworth 


02 Dec 2009 - 18.00 

The Big Screen Comes to Bacup, Bacup 


05 Dec 2009 - 06 Dec 2009 - See ELR Website 



06 Dec 2009 - TBC 

Christmas Fair, Helmshore 






Freeheld Theatre presents Who’s Been Sitting in My 

Chair?, Waterfoot 


£ 

£ 

£ 

FREE 

£ 

£ 

FREE 

FREE 

£ 

£ 


Rossendale Organ & Keyboard Club - Christmas 

Concert, Newchurch 





22 Dec 2009 - 24 Dec2009 - See ELR Website 



01 Jan 2010 - PM 

Whitworth New Year’s Day Duck Race, Whitworth 


23 Jan 2010 - 30 Jan 2010 - 19.30 

Sweet Revenge, Waterfoot 


20 Mar 2010 - 27 Mar 2010 - 19.30 

The Importance of Being Earnest, Waterfoot 


03 Apr 2010- 09.00 

Britannia Coconutters Easter Saturday, Bacup 

01706 252411 www.coconutters.co.uk 

18 Apr 2010 - TBC 

Whitworth St George Celebrations , Whitworth 


22 May 2010 - 29 May 2010 - 19.30 

The Cemetery Club, Waterfoot 


3 July 2010 - 4 July 2010 - 10.00 

Singletrack Weekender, Bacup 

www.singletrackworld.com 

The Singletrack Weekender at Lee Quarry 

1940’s wartime weekend at East Lancashire Railway

Call 01706 252411 


The festival celebrates the fantastic food and culture available 

in Pennine Lancashire. Ten of the sixty events will take place in 

Rossendale – see below. 

Festival programmes and further information from 

www.penninelancashirefestivals.com or 01706 829432. 

To find out about other attractions in Rossendale contact 

01706 252411. 

DATE & TIME EVENT VENUE CONTACT COST 

29th & 30th 

August 

31st Aug 

12:00-17:00 

Aug–Sept 

09:30-14:30 

28th Aug 

14:00-16:30 

Aug-Sept 

6th Sept 

09:30-14:00 

TEDDY BEARS PICNIC WEEKEND - 

Track down the hidden teddies and then 

join the teddy bears picnic by the river. 

THE 3RD WORLD GRAVY WRESTLING 

CHAMPIONSHIP - Wrestle in the gravy 

pit or just watch the fun. 

I COULD EAT A HORSE! - Pony 

trekking, picnics and pony care days. 

Farmhouse picnic lunch provided for 

pony trekking or pony care days. 

GROW, PICK, COOK AND EAT - Pick 

fresh fruit and vegetables for summer 

farmhouse soup to be eaten in the barn 

with locally produced bread and farm 

made cakes. 

RED ROSE DINERS & LANCASTRIAN 

LUNCHES - Dine in luxury aboard a 

vintage train through the spectular 

Irwell Valley. Red Rose Diner: 19:30- 

22:30 Lancastrian Lunch: Sundays 

from 13:00-15:30 

ROSSENDALE FARMERS MARKET - 

More than 30 stalls of fresh, locally 

grown produce, offering great value 

for money. 

Helmshore Mills Textile 

Museum, Holcombe 

Road, Helmshore, 

BB4 4NP 

The Rose n Bowl, 

Newchurch Road, 

Stacksteads, OL13 0UG 

Peers Clough Farm, 

Peers Clough Road, 

Lumb, BB4 9NG 

Cronkshaw Fold Farm, 

Alden Road, Helmshore, 

BB4 4AQ 

East Lancashire Railway, 

Bolton Street Station, 

Bury, BL9 0EY 

Helmshore Mills Textile 

Museum, Holcombe 

Road, Helmshore, 

BB4 4NP 

01706 226459 

www.lancashire.gov.uk/museums 

01706 879555 

www.rosenbowl.co.uk 

01706 210552 

www.peerscloughpackhorses.co.uk 

01706 218614 

www.cronkshaw.co.uk 

0161 764 7790 

www.east-lancs-rly.co.uk 

07725 466315 

www.rossendalefarmersmarket.co.uk 

FREE 

Adult: £2.00 

Child & Concession: 

£1.00, Family: £6.00 

Adult Picnic Rides: 

£60.00 

Children’s Pony Care 

Days: £35.00 

Adult Pony Care 

Days: £40.00 

Adults: £10.00 

Child: £7.50 

Red Rose Diners - 

Adult: £38.00 

Lancastrian Lunch - 

Adult: £33.00 

Child: £23.00 

FREE 

6th Sept 

13:00-16:00 

HORSE & BAMBOO THEATRE OPEN 

DAY - Come and admire some of 

the wonderful masks, puppets and 

costumes from our productions and 

watch film clips of our shows. 

Horse + Bamboo 

Theatre, Waterfoot, 

BB4 7HB 

01706 220241 

www.horseandbamboo.org 

FREE 

22nd Aug 

11:00-14:00 

PICNIC IN THE PARK - Come and share 

food and fun activities. 

Greenfield Memorial 

Gardens, Haslingden, 

BB4 4BE 

01706 252514 

gemmarooke@rossendalebc.gov.uk 

FREE 

Aug-Sept 

(every 

Tuesday) 

RELISHING SALADS - Taste locally 

produced salads with cheese and 

chutney, learn how to grow your 

own and watch a chutney making 

demonstration. 

Stubbylee Community 

Greenhouses, Stubbylee 

Lane, Bacup, OL13 0DE 

01706 872111 

info@closetothehedge.co.uk 

Adult: £6.00 

Child and 

Concession: £3.50 

Family: £15.00 

12th-17th 

Sept 

FUDGE FESTIVAL - Daily fudge making 

demonstrations and tasting plus a 

chance to make your own Chocolate 

Creation at our Chocolate Day on 12th 

September. 

Fudge Village, Millfold, 

Off A671, Whitworth, 

OL12 8DN 

01706 852795 

www.fudgevillage.co.uk 

Demonstrations are 

FREE. Willie Wonka 

event: £2.99 per 

chocolate creation.


Visitor Information Visitor Hotline Information Call 01706 Hotline 252411 

Accommodation 

1 Cronkshaw Fold Farm - The Cottage & Shepherds Shack 

2 Higher Tunstead Farm 

3 Hindle Pastures 

4 Horncliffe Mount Farm B&B 

5 Leaches Farm B&B 

6 Middle Carr Farm 

7 Number 678 

8 Oakenclough Farm 

9 One 3 One 

10 Parrock Lumb Cottages 

11 Pasture Bottom Farm 

12 Peers Clough Farm 

13 Sykeside Country House Hotel and Restaurant 

14 The Old Stables - Tippett Farm 

15 The Old White Horse 

Food & Drink 

1 Anton’s Italian Restaurant 

2 The Birches 

3 Bizzy Plaice 

4 Broadway Bites 

5 Café Tor 

6 Deer View Farm Shop 

7 The Deli 

8 Do Dah’s Café Wine Bar 

9 Farmers Glory 

10 The Fisherman’s Retreat 

11 The Glory 

12 The Red Lion 

13 Rose’n’Bowl 

14 Truly Scrumptious 

15 The White Horse 

A6177 

to Blackburn 

3 

Grane 

Ogden Res. 

Calf Hey Res. 

Musbury 

Tor 

A680 

to Accrington 

Holden 

Wood Res. 

To M65 

Blackburn/ 

Burnley 

Rising 

Bridge 

9 

Haslingden 

7 

5 

7 

1 

4 

15 

6 

2 

11 

13 

4 

11 

Helmshore 

Irwell 

Vale 

5 

Cribden 

Hill 

16 

Go 

Attractions 

1 Animal Quackers 

2 Ask Rossendale @ Horse + Bamboo Theatre 

3 Clough Head Visitor Centre & Cafe 

4 Cronkshaw Fold Farm 

5 East Lancashire Railway 

6 Fitzpatrick’s Temperance Bar 

7 Helmshore Mills Textile Museum 

8 Horse + Bamboo Theatre 

9 Pioneer Gym 

10 Ronaldsway Coach Tours 

11 Rossendale Golf Club 

12 Rossendale Museum 

13 Rossendale Players 

14 Royal Court Theatre 

15 See Gallery 

16 Ski Rossendale 

17 Fudge Village 

18 Whitworth Water Ski Centre 

Shopping 

1 Bacup Market 

2 Beauty Spot 

3 Bolthole 

4 Brand Interiors 

5 Essentially Natural 

6 Haslingden Market 

7 Musbury Fabrics Mill Shop 

8 Personalised Gift Company 

9 Rawtenstall Market 

10 Rideon 

11 Winfield’s 

Stubbins 

A56 

1 

3 

Ede 


M66 

to Bury 

& Manchester

Call 01706 A682 252411 

to Burnley 

odshaw 

4 

15 

5 

Loveclough 

Crawshawbooth 

4 

6 

11 

15 

Rawtenstall 

Waterfoot 

Cloughbridge 

Res. 

Mary 

Towneley 

Loop 

7 

2 8 

12 

Water 

13 

1 

Lumb 

Whitewell 

Bottom 

A681 

B6323 

to Burnley 

Dean 

2 

Deerplay 

Moor 

Bacup 

A671 

to Burnley 

Weir 

A671 


13 

Stacksteads 

Lee Quarry 

1 

9 

1 

6 

14 


8 

11 


Britannia 

A681 

to Todmorden 

and West Yorkshire 

Dearden 

Moor 

14 

Cowpe 

Cowpe Resr 

Shawforth 

field 

Mary 

Towneley 

Loop 

18 

Cown Res. 

17 

Facit 

Scout Moor 

Whitworth 

A671 

12 

Turn 

A682 

Healey Dell 

A680 

to Rochdale 

5 

12 

A681 

9 

14 

9 8 

8 

7 

3 

6 


2 

3 

A6066 

to Rochdale 

A682 

5 

A681 

Rawtenstall 

Town Centre



Travelling to Rossendale couldn’t be easier 

Situated in the heart of England’s North West Rossendale is centrally located for Lancashire, Yorkshire, 

Merseyside and Cheshire. There are excellent transport connections for both UK and international 

visitors with four airports just an hour away, whilst the M65, M62 and M66 bring in visitors from across 

the country. For the most up-to-date travel information by bus, coach or train visit www.traveline.org.uk 

or call 0871 200 22 33. 

By Car 

Blackpool 

Lancashire 

Manchester 

Liverpool 

Rossendale 

Leeds 

Rossendale is never far from a motorway connection 

and that’s one of the area’s key attractions – the fact 

that it is so easy to get to and from. Set in the centre of 

a ti triangle formed dby the Lancashire towns of fBlackburn, 

Burnley and Bury; the M66 is only 10km (6 miles) away, 

the M65 is 16km (10 miles) away and the M60/M62 

26km (16 miles). 

By Rail 

or Bus 

The main 

bus station is located on Bacup Rd., 

Rawtenstall and the nearest mainline railway 

stations are at Burnley, Bury and Todmorden. 

Bus and 

rail 

timetables are available from 

Rawtenstall tall 

Library, Queen’s Square, 

Haslingdenn 

Rd., Rawtenstall, BB4 6QU. 

Full details 

of all Rossendale bus timetables 

and fare offers are also available from the 

Rossendale sendale Transport. 

W:www.rossendalebus.co.uk. 

East Lancashire Railway 

The service runs between Rawtenstall, Bury 

and Heywood. The railway does not operate 

at all times during the week so it is best to 

check before 

you plan your journey. For full 

details of timetables and fares 

T: 0161 764 7790. 

Free Bus Service for East Lancashire 

Railway passengers. Passengers holding a 

valid ticket can also take advantage of the 

free bus service from the railway to Bank 

St., Rawtenstall and Rawtenstall Market. Bus 

number 482 and 483 can be used. 

By Air 

Manchester airport is the closest airport to Rossendale 

with a further three airports within one hours drive-time. 

Manchester Airport 58km (35 miles) 

Blackpool Airport 66km (40miles) 

Liverpool Airport 77km (48 miles) 

Leeds Airport 80km (50 miles)

Call 01706 252411

46 www.visitrossendale.com Visitor Information Visitor Hotline Information Call 01706 Hotline 252411

Call 01706 252411 Rossendale Visitors Guide 47



INDULGENCE 

Food and Drink 

When it comes to 

dining out, Rossendale 

is gaining a reputation 

for fine food and local 

produce. As a semi-rural 

area local, fresh produce 

is in abundance. 

An increasing number of Rossendale’s eating 

establishments display the ‘Taste Lancashire’ 

logo signifying that they consistently provide 

a high quality dining experience and show 

a commitment to the use of local produce. 

When you are out and about look out for 

the Taste Lancashire logo which ensures that 

eating and drinking experiences will be the 

best you can find. This quality award scheme 

for eating places is managed by Lancashire 

and Blackpool Tourist Board. 

Fudge Village, Whitworth 

Taste Lancashire commended 

eateries in Rossendale: 

The Ashoka Indian Restaurant, Rawtenstall 

Coffee Mill Café, Helmshore Mills Textile 

Museum, Helmshore 

Nino’s Italian Restaurant, Rawtenstall 

Red Chilli Chinese Restaurant, Bacup 

Mario’s Italian Restaurant, Bacup 

Casa Tapas, Rawtenstall

Call 01706 252411 


The Dining Room Restaurant, Rawtenstall 

Prior to opening the Dining room restaurant, chef 

Andrew Robinshaw worked up an impressive C.V. 

with a stint as senior chef at Gordon Ramsay’s, 

Petrus restaurant and at award winning restaurant 

Nutters. Serving ambitious cuisine at not too 

unreasonable prices English and French dishes 

are given a subtle, imaginative twist. The expertly 

crafted seven course tasting menu is definitely 

worth loosening your belt for! 

W: www.thediningroomrestaurant.co.uk, 

T: 01706 210567, 8 - 12 Burnley Rd., Rawtenstall, 

BB4 8EW. 

The Red Lion Pub, Whitworth 

With two menus to choose from at the Red Lion 

pub there’s something to suit most tastes. Meat 

on the menu is locally reared and salad stuffs 

are purchased from Lancashire producers. The 

extensive pub menu features good vegetarian 

options and a catch of the day in addition to 

traditional pub fare. The delicious Thai menu 

provides a spicy alternative to the main pub menu. 

W: www.redlionwhitworth.co.uk, 

T: 01706 861441, Whitworth Square, Whitworth, 

OL12 8PY. 

The Ashoka Indian Restaurant, 

Rawtenstall 

Food at the Ashoka is cooked with pride and 

passion. Traditional favourites sit alongside a 

great range of chefs specials such as the mouthwatering 

Zingri Badsha; on-shell split king 

prawns, stir fried in garlic, onion, green pepper, 

pickled chillies and spring onion, done with light 

spices and a zest of lemon. T: 01706 231665. 

255 Bacup Rd., Rawtenstall, BB4 7PA. 

The Bizzy Plaice, Edenfield 

A lovely atmosphere, great service and superb 

fish and chips is to be had at the Bizzy Plaice. 

Fantastically light and crispy batter envelops the 

freshest fish delivered daily from Fleetwood. 

If you don’t fancy fish you can enjoy a 

traditional rag pudding or a Cissy 

Green’s hand raised beef pie. 

T: 01706 824646. 7 Market 

Street, Edenfield BL0 0JQ, 

The Red Lion, Whitworth



Red Chilli Chinese Restaurant, Bacup 

Part of a small chain of Chinese restaurants 

offering authentic Beijing and Sichuan dishes 

located at: 25 Market Street, Bacup, OL13 8EX, 

T: 01706 878898 

Mario’s Italian Restaurant, Bacup 

Marios Italian Restaurant offers a very warm 

welcome and delicious Italian meals made 

from fresh, daily produce. Children’s meals and 

vegetarian options available at 74 Market St., 

Bacup, OL13 0AT, T: 01706 879407 

Casa Tapas, Tapas Bar and Mediterranean 

Restaurant, Rawtenstall 

Casa Tapas will cook you a real Mediterranean 

treat; as good as any meal you’ll find in Spain. 

A classical flamenco guitarist entertains diners 

at the weekend and you’d be advised to make a 

reservation as tables are quickly taken. 

W: www.casatapas.net, 93 - 95 Bacup Rd., 

Rawtenstall, BB4 7NW, T: O1706 218900 

The Coffee Mill Café at Helmshore 

Mills Textile Museum 

Relax and relish the unrivalled atmosphere 

of this amazing building whilst savouring 

wholesome Lancashire food with a modern 

twist. Holcombe Road, Helmshore, BB4 

4NP, T: 01706 226459. 

Ninos Italian Restaurant, Rawtenstall 

Founded in 1986 this well-established and popular 

restaurant serves both classic and creative Italian 

cuisine. The 21 day, dry aged beef is a house 

speciality along with the freshest of sea-food. 

Piano bar artists play most weekends. See website 

for details W: www.ninosrestaurant.co.uk 245 

Bacup Rd., Rawtenstall, BB4 7PA, T: 01706 215868 

The Fishermans Retreat 

Famous for its finest dry aged steak from it’s 

own herd of prize winning Charolais cattle plus 

a fantastic whisky bar; thought to be one of 

the best stocked bars in the world. Over 500 

Scottish single malt whiskies, are all available as a 

dram or bottle. Riding Head Lane, Shuttleworth, 

Ramsbottom BL0 0HH, T: 01706 825314 

W: www.fishermansretreat.com. Open Tuesday 

to Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays. 

The Fishermans Retreat, Edenfield

Call 01706 252411 


The White Horse, Helmshore 

Did you know? 

The Village Chippy, Stubbins is where 

catwalk icon Agyness Deyn once 

worked as a teenager - proof that 

you can be a super model and still eat 

fish and chips! 

White Horse Bar and Restaurant, 

Helmshore 

This bistro-style pub serves modern British 

food. Ingredients are locally sourced and meals 

are home-made with some of the meat actually 

roaming the hills behind the pub. There is 

a bar menu as well as the à la carte and the 

home-made sausages are particularly popular. 

Helmshore Rd., Helmshore, Rossendale, 

BB4 4LU T: 01706 213873 

The Farmers Glory 

For fine food in a country setting visit the 

Farmers Glory with stunning views across 

the Hyndburn and Rossendale valleys. 

Contemporary on the inside and old-fashioned 

on the outside; on a sunny day diners are drawn 

to the fabulous garden complete with water 

feature which provides an ideal setting for al 

fresco dining. All meals are freshly prepared, 

using local produce wherever possible. Meats are 

supplied by the local butcher and fish suppliers 

strive to ensure as much of their produce is 

caught in the open sea. Free range eggs are used 

in all recipes and most vegetables are grown in 

West Lancashire. Fine Lancashire cheeses are 

supplied by Proctors. The very nature of the 

food prepared means that fast food is not on the 

pubs agenda! The Farmers Glory is located on: 

Roundhills Rd., Haslingden, BB4 5TU, 

T: 01706 219241, W: www.farmersglory.co.uk 

The Birches Hotel provides tasty tapas 

in a relaxed, friendly setting close to Healey 

Dell nature reserve in Whitworth. 

145 Market St., Whitworth, OL12 8RU 

T: 01706 344119. 

Anton’s Italian Restaurant, at The Horse 

and Jockey, Edenfield is a homely restaurant, 

run by a local family with strong European 

connections. The choice of dishes on the menu 

has been inspired by frequent trips across the 

continent. A selection of old menu favourites 

rub shoulders with newly influenced specials. 

Market St., Edenfield BL0 0JQ, T: 01706 828286 

Anton’s Italian Restaurant, Edenfield



How about this for a 

black pudding recipe 

with a difference? 

Method 

BURY BLACK PUDDING WITH DIVER 

CAUGHT SCALLOPS 

Ingredients: 

2 table spoons olive oil 

1 x 200g of Real Lancashire Black Pudding 

6 plump fresh diver caught scallops 

Squeeze of lemon juice 

3 table spoon of olive oil 

1/ 

2 clove garlic- Crushed 

1 Shallot- Chopped fine 

1 Desiree Potato- Peeled, cooked and flaked 

with a fork 

To finish a few sprigs fresh chervil 

1 For the olive oil mash warm the olive oil and briefly 

fry the garlic and the shallot until softened. Add to 

the peeled cooked and flaked potato. 

2 Slice the black pudding into 1cm discs, drizzle with 1 

tablespoon olive oil and heat under a hot grill. 

3 Heat the remaining oil in a frying pan and flash sear 

the scallops until scorched on one side - turn and fry 

briefly on the other side taking care not to cover the 

pan. Season. 

4 Arrange the olive oil potatoes in the centre of a 

long plate – then arrange alternate slices of the black 

puddings and scallops down the centre – finish with a 

squeeze of fresh lemon and a few sprigs of chervil. 

Local food and 

drink producers 

Real Lancashire Black Pudding Company 

Black Pudding is a local delicacy in the Rossendale 

area and the finest black puddings in the country 

are made by Andy Holt at the Real Lancashire 

Black Pudding Company, Haslingden. Multi-award 

winning, these black puddings are used by some of 

the UK’s most famous celebrity chefs. In addition 

to the farmers markets the product is readily 

available in butchers’ 

shops throughout 

Rossendale. Ask for 

them by name and look 

out for the bright green 

and red logo. 

Fitzpatricks Temperance Drinks 

Visit Fitzpatricks in Rawtenstall for thirstquenching, 

alcohol free beverages in Britain’s 

last surviving temperance bar. Blood tonic, 

Sarsaparilla, Ginger Beer, Dandelion and Burdock, 

Black Beer and Cream Soda are available as 

cordials to take away or why not sit round a table 

and soak up the atmosphere of the bar whilst 

sipping on one of these old-fashioned brews. 

5 Bank St BB4 6QS. T: 01706 231836, 

W: www.mrfitzpatricks-cordials.com 

Lancashire Cheese 

You can’t leave Lancashire without tasting the 

distinctive flavours of Lancashire cheese and 

although it isn’t made in Rossendale it’s made 

close-by. It is readily available at all the markets 

and most food shops and eating places throughout 

the area. If you’ve never tasted it before you’ll be 

surprised by the range of textures and flavours. 

Crumbly Lancashire cheese is white and crumbly 

and has a slightly acidic taste and makes a great 

substitute for feta cheese on a Greek salad. 

Creamy Lancashire cheese is soft and mellow 

and a buttery colour and is great on sandwiches 

with some piccalilli. Tasty Lancashire cheese is a 

similar texture and colour to creamy Lancashire 

but with a bit more bite and is best served with 

plain crackers on a cheese board so that you can 

appreciate this full-flavoured cheese.

Call 01706 252411 


Fudge Village 

Fudge Village 

For all things sweet there is an opportunity 

to see how the professionals do it at the 

Fudge Village in Whitworth. Watch the 

sugar confectioners turn their ingredients 

into deliciously sweet fudges and chocolate 

and then taste the fruits of their labour 

afterwards. 

There’s an award winning range of 

twenty three different fudge flavours and 

other sweetmeats on sale in the factory 

shop. W: www.fudgevillage.co.uk Market 

Street, Whitworth, OL12 8DN, T: 01706 

852795. Open Monday to Saturday 10.00 

to 17.00hrs 

Real Lancashire Black Pudding Company 

Real Ale Pubs 

in Rossendale 

When it comes to real ale 

there’s no shortage of CAMRA 

pubs in Rossendale and there’s 

even a Rossendale ale made at 

Porters brewery located at the 

Griffin Inn, Haslingden. Other 

popular Porters brews include: 

Floral Dance (3.6%), Bitter 

(3.8%), Railway Sleeper (4.2%), 

Porter (5.0%), Sunshine (5.3%). 

CAMRA Pubs in Rossendale: 

www.eastlancscamra.org.uk 

AT A GLANCE 

Fitzpatricks Temperance Bart 

T: 01706 231836, 

Fudge Village 

T: 01706 852795 

The Real Lancashire Black 

Pudding Company 

T: 01706 231029



whitehorse 

T H E 

B A R & R E S T A U R A N T 

Welcome to the white Horse Bar and Restaurant 

in Helmshore, overlooking both Ramsbottom and 

the Rossendale Valley. Since opening in late 2007, 

we have prided ourselves on serving the finest of 

local produce with our lamb being reared in the 

fields directly behind us. 

Once inside, you’ll find our inviting Bar area 

offering the finest of cask ales, a fine selection of 

carefully selected wines and a variety of cocktails, 

and single malts. Whether your dining or simply 

drinking, our staff are here to accommodate your 

every need. 

With the option of dining in the Bar area, or in the 

Restaurant, we offer a wide selection of classic 

British pub favourites, and open sandwiches 

throughout the day, and modern cuisine of an 

evening. 

We also have a family sports lounge upstairs, and 

we cater for weddings, funerals, conferences etc. 

Holcombe Road, Helmshore, BB4 4LU 

Tel: 01706 213873 Mob: 07980 714 749 

www.whitehorsebarandrestaurant.com 

info@whitehorsebarandrestaurant.com

Call 01706 252411

Visitor Information Hotline

Call Visitor 01706 Information 252411 Hotline Call 01706 252411 




TRADITION 

Local Markets 

Rossendale’s alive with 

charming Lancashire markets, 

so enjoy a slice of local life 

and make a date to visit the 

valleys three markets in Bacup, 

Haslingden and Rawtenstall. 

With over 80 specialist stalls 

stocking over 5,000 lines you’ll 

find it hard to leave emptyhanded. 

The traders offer a 

warm and friendly welcome 

and remember parking is 

free at all three markets. 

The markets are open on 

selected days from 09.00hrs 

to 16.00hrs.

Call 01706 252411 


Rawtenstall has the largest market in the 

area with both indoor and outdoor stalls. 

Open for business on Thursday and Saturday 

Rawtenstall market is located on Newchurch 

Road at the bottom of Bank St. The market 

is easily accessible including disabled facilities. 

Spending time at the market is easy with a 

variety of stalls on offer from traditional sweets s 

and fresh local produce, to gifts, haberdashery 

and a cafe serving tasty Lancashire fare to 

name but a few. 

Market days in Bacup, located on Union 

St are Wednesday and Saturday with a flea 

market on Fridays. A good selection of stalls 

are available, including award winning cooked 

meats, locally reared meats, household goods, 

clothing and more. Free parking is available 

close-by. 

A modern outdoor market made up 

of cabins and stalls is held on Blackburn 

Road, Haslingden on Tuesdays and Fridays. 

The market is easily accessible and offers a 

good mix of stalls from fresh produce to pet 

accessories, cooked meats and greeting cards. 

Every 1st Sunday in the month the 

Helmshore Mills Textile Museum car park 

is home to the Rossendale Farmers’ and 

Produce Market, where between the hours of 

9.30 and 14.00 you can purchase the freshest 

of fresh, delicious, locally produced lamb, beef 

and pork; along with black puddings made in 

Rossendale and local cheeses. To avoid any 

disappointment you would be advised to get 

there early as some stall-holders sell out of 

their fine produce very quickly. 

T: 01706 217777. 

W: www.rossendale.gov.uk/markets 

Markets 

Rawtenstall 

Thursday and Saturday 

Bacup 

Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 

Haslingden 

Tuesdays and Fridays 

Rossendale Farmers’ and 

Produce Market 

Every 1st Sunday in the month



SHOPPING 

Shopping in Rossendale 

Even the shopping in Rossendale 

has been shaped by the area’s 

industrial heritage with mill 

shopping being the main event. 

Winfields Megastore, Musbury 

Fabrics and Novaks Shopping 

Experience are the three principal 

mill shopping locations. 

At Winfields Megastore you can save £££’s 

on: tents, camping equipment, ski-wear, 

work-wear, ruck sacks, luggage, fashion 

clothes, shoes plus designer wellies and a 

whole host of other items: it’s definitely well 

worth a visit. T: 01706 227916 

W: www.winfieldsmegastore.com 

Musbury Fabrics is the home of 

household textiles, it’s everything a mill shop 

should be with hundreds of rolls of fabric 

to choose from, great buys on bedding and 

bed linen, top quality towels, cushions and 

throws and much, much more… browse 

through the clearance lines and you’ll find 

some real bargain buys. T: 01706 244280 

W: www.musburyfabrics.co.uk. 

Bank Street, Rawtenstall

Call 01706 252411 


Musbury Fabrics 

More great deals are available at Novaks Shopping 

Experience, well-known for it’s top quality branded 

clothing at discount prices T: 01706 223493. 

Rossendale is a fabulous destination for 

clothes shopping and Rawtenstall has some great 

independent retail fashion outlets. Top of the 

shops is Sunday Best - definitely for the fashionista; 

Bellusci, Butterworth Jones, Dress With Finesse, 

Pose and Remy all have distinctive fashion 

collections. 

There are shoes for every occasion to be 

found in Rossendale too. As the traditional home 

of shoe manufacturing in the North West there are 

still many shoe retailers and wholesalers trading in 

the valley. There’s no shortage of independent shoe 

shops in Rawtenstall either: Sonia Grahams, Heto, 

Kids Academy, Pedestrian Shoes and Butterworth 

Jones all have unique ranges of fashion shoes. 

Fudge Village 

Bolthole 

Food shopping is at its best at Riley 

Brothers butchers and delicatessen 

Rearing and breeding their own high 

quality lamb and beef on 1,000 acres of 

Lancashire pasture and moorland, using 

natural and farm friendly methods, Riley 

Brothers is the hallmark of good taste. 

Don’t forget the markets too for a real 

taste of Lancashire. 

There’s such an endless choice of 

contemporary gifts and accessories at 

Bolthole in Rawtenstall, you’ll find it 

difficult to leave the store empty handed. 

Selected with care, their exclusive range 

of products for the home, garden and for 

children gives visitors a unique shopping 

experience; providing metropolitan style 

in the heart of the Rossendale Valley. T: 

01706 228552


Call Visitor 01706 Information 252411 Hotline Call 01706 252411 




ADRENALINE SPORTS 

Bike Trials at Lee Quarry 

High Adrenaline Sporting Facilities 

The challenging terrain of 

Rossendale’s landscape is part 

of the new Pennine Lancashire 

Adrenaline Gateway and it’s a 

rising star for adrenaline sports 

facilities in the UK. Accessible, 

high moor tops at Brown 

Wardle hill and Scout Moor 

are an ideal launch pad for 

para-gliding whilst the disused 

moor-side quarries provide 

rocky routes to test your skills 

and stamina for mountain 

biking and off-roading.

Call 01706 252411 


Ski Rossendale 

Rock Climbing 

Off-roading with Cowm Leisure 

If off-roading is your passion Cowm Leisure’s off-road 

motor sports park at Whitworth is the place for you. You’ll 

find some fantastic routes at the 150 acre site at Cowm 

Quarry. Stone outcrops, inclines, descents and water 

features test the mettle of 4x4 drivers and trial bike and 

pit bike riders. There are routes for novices and the more 

experienced; with 4x4 play days held on the last Sunday 

in the month. Cowm Quarry is now recognised as one of 

the best places in England for trials riding, providing dream 

territory in which to ride. T: 07970 101879 

W: www.cowmleisure.com. 

Feel the thrill of water skiing or wake boarding at 

Cowm Reservoir located in the Whitworth Valley. Even 

disabled skiers can enjoy the freedom of the water skiing as 

Cowm reservoir is the northern training site for the British 

Disabled Water Ski Association. Taster days are available for 

first water skiers and a training boom can be attached to 

the side of the boat so you can’t fail! T: 01706 852534 

W: www.whitworth-waterski.co.uk 

You can ski, snow-board or snow tube down the slopes 

of Ski Rossendale. Specialist instructors are on-hand to help 

you hone your skills, in readiness for tackling the 200m main 

slope. If you are really up for it you might want to attempt 

the jumps and rails and get your heart beating even faster. 

Nursery slopes are available for the less experienced and all 

equipment is provided. It’s a super activity for all the family 

to participate in and a great way to stay in shape. 

T: 01706 226457 W: www.ski-rossendale.co.uk 

Highly rated by windsurf users especially if there’s an 

easterly wind, Clowbridge Reservoir, near Crawshawbooth 

is a right windy shop! It’s great for Dinghy Sailing and 

Windsurfing and is a RYA recognised teaching establishment 

for Dinghy Sailing and Windsurfing, levels 1 and 2. Why not 

try something new and get your heart racing faster? Taster 

sessions are available if you’re unsure this is the thing for you 

and for more advanced windsurfers there’s a techniques 

clinic. T: 01282 421674 W: www.rvsc.co.uk.



Some of the best 

purpose-built mountain 

bike trails and bike trials 

areas in the UK are 

located at Lee Quarry, 

Bacup and they’re free 

to ride all year round. 

Roller coaster ups and downs and daring 

drops offs run through a lunar-like landscape 

with a great selection of both black and red 

routes. Lee Quarry can be approached from 

the A681 at Bacup, from Futures Park there is 

a steep climb up on an old tramway. 

Competitive mountain biking events are 

staged throughout the year. 

W: www.adrenaline-gateway.co.uk 

There are Race Series 2 mountain biking 

events @ Lee Quarry, Bacup, 6th September 

2009, 27th September 2009, 18th October 

2009. W: www.brownbacksracing.co.uk 

For more exciting ascents and descents 

the Mary Towneley Loop provides miles and 

miles of challenging, off-road mountain biking. 

For maps and more information on this 

spectacular 76km (47 mile) route 

W: www.nationaltrail.co.uk/penninebridleway 

Bike Trials at Lee Quarry 

The Singletrack Weekender at Lee Quarry 

See page 38 for details of next years event on 3 - 4 July 2010

Call 01706 252411 


Interview with 

Craig at Ride On 

Paragliding near Whitworth 

High altitudes and wild scenery at Brown Wardle 

Hill, Whitworth and Scout Moor, Edenfield provide 

a superb back-drop for hang-gliding and para-gliding. 

If you are adventurous enough to try your hand at 

these thrilling, high adrenaline activities, Airborne UK 

can get you off the ground. T: 07973 845616 

W: wwwairborne.uk.com 

The rugged industrial 

Pennine moors, that 

provide a spectacular 

backdrop to the 

Rossendale Valley, 

have for decades 

been the outdoor 

playground for “in the 

know” locals. Yet with its unrivalled ease of 

access from multiple motorways we are only 

just starting to realise the potential for outdoor 

activity tourism in the Pennines and it is 

Rossendale with its Adrenaline Gateway project 

that is leading the way. 

As a bike rider, local business owner and 

resident of Rossendale, I am extremely excited 

about what the Adrenaline Gateway project 

could do for Rossendale and I’m very proud to 

be associated. 

Craig Robertson 

Q Are you a Rossendale lad? 

A Not quite I lived over the border at Rochdale 

but was drawn to the untouched moorlands 

and quiet beauty of the area when I bought 

my first house in the 1990’s. 

Q What’s the best thing about biking in 

Rossendale? 

A Right on the doorstep you’ve got 

quarryman’s tracks, old tramways, bridleways 

and lots of hidden valleys so if you’re a bit 

adventurous and prepared to follow your 

nose the hills are full of surprises and you are 

never that far away from civilisation. 

Q Can people hire bikes from you? 

A Yes we can cater for groups of up to 10 

people and need about 24 hours notice. 

Q What if people are nervous about trekking 

out on their own if they don’t know the 

area? 

A Our shop acts as a hub and a meeting 

place for like-minded people who are into 

mountain biking. Every week we run a midweek 

ride from the shop which normally lasts 

about 2 hours and then on some weekends 

we have informal outings. 

Q What do visitors say about mountain-biking 

in Rossendale? 

A I’ve got friends who have biked all over the 

world and they think Rossendale is fantastic. 

Some have even upped-sticks from the South 

of England and moved here so that they can 

have easy access to the great mountain-biking 

the area has to offer. 

Q What brings a smile to your face? 

A Seeing lots of new faces enjoying 

Rossendale’s rugged landscape and listening 

to their positive comments about this 

unpolished, gem of a place.


Call 01706 252411


Business Directory 

Accommodation 

As well as being a perfect destination in itself, 

Rossendale is an ideal, peaceful base for visitors 

to the Manchester area, only half-an-hour away 

by road. With many of the North of England’s 

other attractions also within easy travelling 

distance, Rossendale is an excellent area in which 

to stay. Whether you are visiting Rossendale on 

business or pleasure, you will find a full selection 

of accommodation to suit your needs. 

National Scheme - VisitBritain & AA Gradings 

These organisations inspect accommodation and award 

star ratings for serviced and self-catering establishments. 

The more stars (from one to five) the higher the overall 

standard including customer care, facilities and service. The 

symbols explained below are designed to help you find the 

quality of accommodation to suit your requirements. 

Simple, practical, no frills. 

Well presented and well run. 

Good level of quality and comfort. 

Excellent standard throughout. 

Exceptional with a degree of luxury. 

Important: Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of 

the information in this guide, Rossendale Borough Council cannot accept 

responsibility for any errors or omissions. Inclusion of accommodation in this 

Guide does not imply any form of recommendation, or guarantee of services, 

on the part of Rossendale Borough Council. Please check specific details with 

accommodation providers when making a booking or planning a visit. The 

information was compiled in August 2009. 


Number 678 Guest House 

678 Burnley Road East, Whitewell 

Bottom, Rossendale, BB4 9NT Tel: 01706 215884 

Email: info@number678.co.uk 

www.number678.co.uk 

With private rear garden bordering Whitewell 

Brook all rooms are en-suite with full hospitality 

tray and many extras. 

Guests have private 

facilities, free wi-fi with 

ample parking and cycle 

lockup. 

One 3 One Guest House 

131 Haslingden Old Road, Rawtenstall, BB4 

8RR Tel: 01706 600463 

Email: info@one3oneGuestHouse.com 

www.one3oneGuestHouse.com 

Welcome to One 3 One, a striking Georgian House 

in an ideal location. Offering contemporary style 

en-suite rooms at 

very reasonable rates. 

Recently achieving 

a Silver Award for 

excelling in customer 

service. 

Serviced Accommodation 

Middle Carr Farm Bed & Breakfast 

Hall Carr Road, Rawtenstall, Lancashire 

BB4 6BS Tel: 01706 225353 

email: info@middlecarrfarm.co.uk 

www.middlecarrfarm.co.uk 

A warm welcome awaits you at Middle Carr Farm. A 

grade II listed building originally 1711 and renovated 

in1986. 

Lockup for cycles, 

off road parking, 

Hospitality trays, 

wireless internet 

access, digital TV’s all 

rooms. 

Sykeside Country House Hotel 

& The Riding’s Restaurant 

Rawtenstall Road End, Haslingden, Rossendale, 

Lancashire, BB4 6QE Tel: 01706 831163 

Email: sykesidecountryhousehotel@hotmail.co.uk 

www.sykesidecountryhousehotel.co.uk 

Sykeside Country House Hotel is a privately owned, 

family run hotel found 

in the heart of the 

Rossendale valley. 

Our aim is to offer the 

highest standards of 

comfort ensuring your 

visit is a pleasant and 

enjoyable one.

Call 01706 252411 


Pasture Bottom Farm 

Pasture Bottom Farm, Bacup 0L13 9UZ 

Tel: 01706 873790 

email: haisherwood@zen.co.uk 

Horncliffe Mount Farm Bed & Breakfast 

Lomas Lane, Balladen, Rawtenstall, Lancashire, BB4 6HU 

Tel/Fax: 01706 220 227 

www.horncliffemountfarm.co.uk 

Leaches Farm Bed & Breakfast 

Ashworth Valley, Rochdale, Lancashire OL11 5UN 

Tel: 01706 641116 

Self-catering Accommodation 

Cronkshaw Fold Farm Cottage 

Alden Road, Helmshore, Rossendale BB4 

4AQ Tel: 01706 218614 Email: sjm@cronkshaw.co.uk 


Sleeps 5-6 comfortably (up to 14 beds available). 

Lounge with children friendly fixtures and fittings. 

Cot and high-chair available. A good base for walking/ 

educational groups (with 

catering). Renowned 

for environmental best 

practise, conservation 

and sustainable farming. 

Awarded the Silver Green 

Tourism Award in 2004. 

Parrock Lumb Cottages 

Todmorden Road, Bacup OL13 9UT 

Tel: 01706 873598 email: sales@parrocklumbcottages. 

co.uk Mobile: 07920 095415 

www.parrocklumbcottages.co.uk 

Three spacious self-catering cottages, all modern 

conveniences including underfloor c/heating. Open 

plan living areas, room to relax! Welcome pack 

included. Parrock Lumb 

Farm – £525-£560.00 per 

week sleeps 6. The Shippon 

– £455-£490.00 per week 

sleeps 6 (5A + 1C). Dairy 

– £420-£455.00 per week 

sleeps 6 (4A + 2C). 

Shepherds Shack at 

Cronkshaw Fold Farm 

Alden Road, Helmshore, Rossendale BB4 4AQ 

Tel: 01706 218614 Email: sjm@cronkshaw.co.uk 


This delightful bunkhouse sleeps 2 in a tucked away 

fold of our land. Heating and cooking on a little wood 

burner. There is a 

good pub/eaterie close 

by. Toilets and water 

supply nearby. There is 

also a deck and bench 

and plenty of wood for 

the stove. From £12.50 

per person per night. 

Oakenclough Farm Self-catering 

Oakenclough Road, Bacup, OL13 9ET 

Tel: 01706 879319, Mob: 07870 566951 or 

07738 939093 www.oakencloughfarm.co.uk 

A comfortable 300-year-old farmhouse. On the edge 

of the moors and only half a mile from Bacup. Real 

ale pub only 300yards. Beamed lounge and large 

cast iron fire. Sleeps 

8 in 4 bedrooms, 

some en-suite plus 

main bathroom. Dogs 

welcome. 

The Old Stables @ Tippett Farm 

Self Catering Farmhouse 

Cowpe, Rossendale, Lancs, BB4 7AE 

Tel: 01706 224741 Email: enquiries@tippettfarm.co.uk 

www.tippettfarm.co.uk 

Large stone farmhouse, (sleeps 8). Minimum stay 2 

nights, use 1, 2, 3 or all 

4 bedrooms, variable 

tariff. Small-holding 

with farm animals 

and free range eggs, 

walking right from the 

door with breathtaking 

views.



Self-catering Accommodation 

Hindle Pastures 

Highgate Lane, Whitworth, Rochdale, Lancashire, OL12 0TS 

Tel: 01706 643310 

www.hindlepastures.co.uk 

Restaurants 

Deer View Farm Shop 

Scar End Farm, Weir, Rossendale OL13 8QB 

Tel: 01706 875407 

Email: info@deerviewfarmshop.co.uk 

www.deerviewfarmshop.co.uk 

A real working Lancashire farm. We have a fully 

stocked deli, butchery and brand new tearoom. 

Stocking all your usual 

treats, plus various 

home produced 

sausages and on site 

dry cured bacon, a 

speciality being the 

treacle back. 

Do-dahs Cafe Bar 

103-105 Bank Street, Rawtenstall, Rossendale, 

BB4 7QN Tel: 01706 211011 

Email: dodahs@btconnect.com 

Fully licensed with a wide range of hot drinks, 

providing high quality meals that are freshly made 

using local produce. Breakfast meetings, functions and 

conferences for up to 

110 people, disabled 

access, high chair and 

baby changing facilities, 

outside seating area. 

Fitzpatrick’s Temperance Bar 

5 Bank Street, Rawtenstall BB4 6QS 

Tel: 01706 231836 

Britain’s Last Original Temperance Bar 

Fitzpatrick’s accredited temperance bar in 

Rawtenstall has been making 

soft drinks for the people of 

Rossendale and Lancashire 

for 116 years. Offering thirstquenching 

beverages such 

as Sarsaparilla, Ginger Beer, 

Blood Tonic, Black Beer and 

Cream Soda to name but 

a few. 

The Old School Room Café 

Within Haslingden Community Link and Children’s 

Centre, Bury Road, Haslingden, BB4 5GP 

Tel: 01706 238351 

Café and Outside Catering 

Our beautiful café boasts a modern interior with 

a warm and friendly 

atmosphere. Enjoy 

hot and cold drinks 

and fresh food by our 

award-winning chefs. 

Our outside catering 

caters for all events 

from birthdays to 

dinner parties. 

Broadway Bites 

13 Broadway Crescent, Helmshore, Rossendale BB4 4HW 

Tel: 01706 223777 

Cafe Tor 

Park Mill, Holcombe Rd, Helmshore BB4 4NP 

Tel: 01706 213813 

email: cathrynworthington@hotmail.com 

Anton’s Italian Restaurant 

85 Market Street, Edenfield, Rossendale BL0 0JQ 

Tel: 01706 828286 

Truly Scrumptious 

4 Rosebank, Rawtenstall, Lancashire BB4 7RD 

Tel: 01706 212007, 07738 421957 

www.trulyscrumptious-cakes.co.uk

Call 01706 252411 


Leisure Activities 

The Beauty Spot 

222 Helmshore Road, Helmshore, 

Rossendale BB4 4DJ Tel: 01706 830333 

All your hair and beauty needs under one roof. Jane 

and Jill and their team offer a full range of services, 

including hairdressing, waxing, massage, facials 

and tanning. They are also able to offer specialist 

treatments such as 

teeth whitening, semipermanent 

makeup 

and collagenics. 

Rossendale Golf Club 

Ewood Lane Head, Haslingden, Rossendale BB4 6LH 

Tel: 01706 831339 

Email: admin@rossendalegolfclub.net 

www.rossendalegolfclub.net 

Visitors are welcome to come and test our course 

and enjoy our facilities. Our golf course is a challenging 

6,293 yards Par 72 with beautiful views of the 

surrounding Pennine Hills. The Club House boasts a 

large lounge, dining area, 

fully stocked bar, sizeable 

locker rooms, a fully 

stocked Pro-Shop with 

all the leading brands in 

golf and a large car park. 

Pioneer Health & Fitness Studio 

Pioneer Health Studio, Riverside Business Park, 

Roadcliffe Road, Bacup Tel: 01706 878155 

www.pioneerhealthstudio.co.uk 

Our brand studio boasts an indoor 84m professional 

surface running track, modern changing facilities, 3 

aerobic studios, brand new Cybex cardio vascular and 

resistance equipment, 

dedicated free weights 

room, rehabilitation 

fitness studios, nail and 

hair salons, tanning 

facilities and much 

more! Pay as you go 

sessions available. 

Don’t forget to 

mention Rossendale 

Visitor Guide when 

using any of these 

businesses 

The Rossendale Players 

New Millennium Theatre, Burnley Rd. East, 

Waterfoot, Rossendale BB4 9AR 

Tel: 01706 228720 

Email: rossendale.players@gmail.com 

www.rossendaleplayers.org.uk 

The Players present award-winning plays and 

performances in their 

intimate theatre and 

welcome everyone to 

their new season. 

Whitworth Waterski and 

Wakeboard Centre 

Cowm Brook House, Cowm Reservoir, Tong Lane, 

Whitworth, Rochdale OL12 8BE Tel: 01706 852534 

Email: info@whitworth-waterski.co.uk 

www.whitworth-waterski.co.uk 

Learn to waterski or 

wakeboard in beautiful 

surroundings or simply 

enjoy the view or take a 

stroll. Cafe open weekends.



Shopping 

BOLTHOLE 

71, Bank street, Rawtenstall, Rossendale. Lancs. 

BB4 7QN 

Tel: 01706 228552 

Email: bolthole@gmail.com 

boltholegifts.co.uk 

b o l t h o l e 

Contemporary gifts 

and accessories for 

the home, garden and 

children. Metropolitan 

style in the heart of the 

Rossendale valley. 

Rossendale Markets: 

Bacup, Haslingden & Rawtenstall 

Bacup Market, Union Street, Bacup OL13 0AA 

Haslingden Market, Blackburn Road, Haslingden, BB4 5QG 

Rawtenstall Market, Newchurch Road, Rawtenstall, BB4 7QX 

Tel: 01706 217777 

Email: communitiesteam@rossendalebc.gov.uk 

www.rossendale.gov.uk/markets 

Want to advertise 

with us next year? 

Call 01706 252411 

for details.

Call 01706 252411

76 www.visitrossendale.com Visitor Information Hotline

Call 01706 252411 



Call 01706 252411

Whatever the weather 

a warm welcome awaits you 

Top Quality Rural Accommodation in Rossendale 

You can be sure of high standards of accommodation when you 

book a place to stay in Rural Rossendale. All the properties in this 

group boast stunning views, peace and quiet; with great facilities 

for horse riders, mountain bikers and walkers. Visit Rossendale for 

a real Lancashire experience. 


Cronkshaw Fold Farm Self-Catering, sleeps 5-6. 

Family friendly, farm activities, uncertified organic produce. 

Alden Road, Helmshore. BB4 4AQ 

Tel 01706 218614 Web www.cronkshaw.co.uk 

Horncliffe Mount Farm B&B, 2 double rooms, 1 en suite, 1 bathroom. Home 

made produce, close to East Lancashire Steam Railway. 

Lomas Lane, Rawtenstall. BB4 6HU Tel 01706 220227 

Web www.horncliffemountfarm.co.uk 

Number 678 Guest House, 3 double rooms, 1 twin room, all en suite. Free Wifi, 

ample car parking, private rear garden by the river and private facilities. 

678 Burnley Road East, Whitewell Bottom, Rossendale, BB4 9NT Tel 01706 215884 

Web www.number678.co.uk 

One 3 One Guest House, 2 double rooms en suite, 1 twin room en suite. 

A striking Georgian House in an ideal location. 

131 Haslingden Old Road, Rawtenstall, BB4 8RR Tel 01706 600 463 

Web www.one3oneGuestHouse.com 

Parrock Lumb Cottages Self-Catering, 3 recently restored adjacent 

properties, no seasonal supplements. Sleeps 6 in each property. 

Todmorden Road, Bacup. OL13 9UT 

Tel 01706 873598 Web www.parrocklumbcottages.co.uk 

Pasture Bottom Farm B&B, 2 twin, 1 double all ensuite. 

Working beef farm. Close to Planet Earth Astronomy Centre. 

Off Oakenclough Rd Bacup OL13 9UZ Tel 01706 873790 

Web www.smoothhound.co.uk/hotels/pasture.html 

Peers Clough Farm B&B, 1 double, 2 twin. 

On the Mary Towneley Loop, tailored trail riding. 

Peers Clough Rd, Lumb BB4 9NG 

Tel 01706 210552 Web www.peersclough farm.co.uk 

Tippett Farm Self-Catering, sleeps 8, 

on the Mary Towneley Loop, free range eggs available. 

Off Cowpe Rd, Cowpe. BB4 7AE 

Tel 01706 224741 Web www.tippettfarm.co.uk 

Rural Partners Working Together 

www.ruralrossendale.co.uk

Rossendale Visitor Guide 2009-10 - Days Out Leaflets

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