Located right between Oldham and Rochdale, Tandle Hill Country Park offers up a nice leisurely walk and some truly wonderful views of the surrounding areas and, on a clear day, Manchester.
Back in the 19th century Tandle Hill was used primarily as a meeting area by political activists, and in order to combat these meetings, the council decided to plant rather extensive woodland to prevent mass meet ups.
Donated to the people of Royton in 1919 as a peace offering at the end of the First World War, a war memorial was subsequently unveiled in 1921 on the park’s highest point, and you can actually see the mountains of North Wales from here on a clear day.
Most of the park is open grass, woodland and a few rather dodgy steep hills that get pretty perilous when it’s been raining or snowing (or both). You can choose from a variety of walks around the moderately sized park, with a short one following the proper paths, or a more strenuous one which takes you around the circumference of the park, through the woodland and up to the War Memorial.
We also went sledging – it’s a great spot!
At the Visitors Centre you can grab yourself a cup of tea or a few snacks, and there’s a play area for the kids just next to it.
I should also say that there are a few great little spots to go ‘off piste’ here and explore the wildlife and woodland away from other people. Just be careful not to trip on a branch and fall down a hill!
The park is perfectly accessible by car (with a large car park at the entrance) and by public transport on Rochdale Road.
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Weekend Walk: Tandle Hill Country Park
Starting point: Entrance to park – Tandle Hill Road
Distance: 1.5km
Time: 1 Hour
Elevation: 222 metres
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MAD Walkers are a hiking group for 20s and 30s for people who live in and around the Greater Manchester area. With over 400 members, they offer a variety of group walks to suit you and many other like-minded people.
Head to their website to find an upcoming walk…
