Hollingworth Lake stroll

Hollingworth Lake dates from the early 1800s, when it was built to keep the waters of the nearby Rochdale canal topped up without the need for water from local streams and brooks. This was important to local mill owners, who relied on natural water sources to power their water wheels, which in turn drove the machinery.

The lake covers 118 acres, and the pleasant walk around the shore covers about 2.5 miles. Our walk covered most of the route round the lake, and then took us away towards the canal, where we continued up the towpath to Littleborough before returning along paths through the Ealees valley. This additional loop takes the walk distance to 4.75 miles, just far enough for an afternoon stroll.