Stroll along the banks of a flowing river, admire tumbling waterfalls and walk under a huge viaduct
Healey Dell Nature Reserve, Rochdale (Image: Manchester Evening News)
With Easter finally here, many of us will be enjoying an extra long weekend bookended by two bank holidays.
While the weather isn’t quite as warm and sunny as it has been in recent weeks, there’s still a hint of spring in the air so it would be rude to spend the four-day weekend cooped up indoors.
Instead, gather the family together for a country walk and work up an appeitite for all that Easter chocolate. Although it might be a good idea to bring a waterproof along just in case.
There’s so many places across Greater Manchester to choose from if you’re after a relaxed country ramble, including the magical Healey Dell nature reserve.
Walk past tumbling waterfalls (Image: Manchester Evening News)
Located just two miles from Rochdale town centre, this woodland walk features tumbling waterfalls, tiny stone bridges and an impressive 100ft viaduct.
Carving its way through the woods of Healey Dell is the River Spodden, which once powered the wool and cotton mills which whirred away in Rochdale.
Over time the river bed has been shaped by the water, creating the Fairies Pool, a stunning rocky gorge with a waterfall cascading down. There was previously a chapel-like cavern here, known as the Fairies Chapel, which was swept away in powerful floods in the 1800s.
One of the bridges crossing the river(Image: Manchester Evening News)
A trail through the trees follows the route of the river and takes you under the impressive viaduct standing at 105ft high with eight arches, each spanning 30ft.
It was built in 1867 to carry the Rochdale to Bacup railway line. The railway line operated until 1949, before being used for coal trains until the 1960s. Now it carries the National Cycle Network.
It’s common knowledge that any walk is made better with a bite to eat along the way, and Healey Dell Heritage Centre and Tea Rooms provides the perfect pitstop on the walk.
The Edwardian themed-tea room serves breakfasts, lunches, and light bites, but it’s the afternoon tea where it really goes to town.
Inside the Edwardian-themed tearoom (Image: Manchester Evening News)
It has a huge variety to choose from including traditional, vegan, children’s and champagne versions, all served with fine china.
The tea room has a sheltered outdoor seating area where you can enjoy the beautiful surroundings no matter the weather.
Or if a pub is more your thing, a short walk from the nature reserve at the end of Dell Road is The Healey, a dog-friendly pub with a beer garden where you can enjoy a well-deserved pint.
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