Hollingworth Lake

Hollingworth Lake is an inland reservoir at Hollingworth Lake Country Park, Rakewood Road, Littleborough, in the Rochdale area of Greater Manchester. Once known as the Weighvers' Seaside because of the weavers who holidayed here in the 19th century, the 118-acre lake offers a small pebble and grass shoreline instead of true sand. The water is fresh, dark and moorland-tinged rather than clear, and swimming is not permitted, so the lake is a place for walking, boating and picnics instead of bathing. The lake is open and fairly exposed, with moorland breezes crossing the water, and is circled by a shoreline path of around 4 kilometres that is mostly flat and easy to follow. The atmosphere is family-friendly and relaxed, with dog walkers, runners, anglers and sailors sharing the shore. Facilities are good for a country park: a visitor centre and cafe, boat and paddle hire, toilets, a playground and a pay-and-display car park. Rowing and sailing take place on the water, and the lakeside promenade has a traditional seaside-by-the-lake feel, especially on summer weekends. Birdlife on and around the lake is a draw for wildlife watchers. Getting there from central Manchester is easy. Northern trains run from Victoria to Littleborough in about twenty-five minutes, followed by a walk of roughly twenty-five minutes or a Bee Network bus to the park. Drivers can reach the country park in about thirty-five minutes, though the car park fills on fine weekends and parking charges apply. The circuit path suits pushchairs and casual walkers, while those wanting more can link onto Pennine moorland trails nearby. Because no swimming is allowed, the lake is best treated as a scenic waterside outing, and visitors seeking a swim should look to lifeguarded sea beaches on the Lancashire and Merseyside coast.