Rochdale Canal
Rochdale Canal
4
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Top ways to experience Rochdale Canal and nearby attractions
The area
Reach out directly
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
691 within 3 miles
Attractions
421 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.0
92 reviews
Excellent
45
Very good
33
Average
7
Poor
4
Terrible
3
Keliset
Nottingham, UK485 contributions
Jun 2022 • Solo
Loved this canal, it is so well managed for people to enjoy. At Todmorden, volunteers look after a 'food for free' section, where there are planted apple and damson trees, current bushes, cardoons, strawberry plants, plus a good range of herbs, and people can help themselves as they walk by. It is a fantastic place to either while away an afternoon, or use as a shortcut.
Written 25 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bernie M
Rochdale, UK28 contributions
Sept 2015 • Friends
If you are traveling to Manchester and having a break here, please take the time to look at our countryside. There are many canals in this area, many are still being brought back to how they used to be, but Rochdale Canal has had many years if renovation and us looking perfect.
The canal boats moor up along the way and it is nice to chat with the owners of the boats. Learning what boat life is like and how they like travelling on "our canal". Many have moored up with the intention of settling here, but many carry on to Sowery Bridge.
Along the way are canal boat trips for you to experience and if you want to try canal life there are boats for hire by the day, or week.
Please go and walk our canal ways, you will live the countryside, the peace and nature you see, but the canal also goes through to Manchester so you can have the best of both worlds. Visit the canal side and tour Manchester and its nightlife at your leisure
The canal boats moor up along the way and it is nice to chat with the owners of the boats. Learning what boat life is like and how they like travelling on "our canal". Many have moored up with the intention of settling here, but many carry on to Sowery Bridge.
Along the way are canal boat trips for you to experience and if you want to try canal life there are boats for hire by the day, or week.
Please go and walk our canal ways, you will live the countryside, the peace and nature you see, but the canal also goes through to Manchester so you can have the best of both worlds. Visit the canal side and tour Manchester and its nightlife at your leisure
Written 16 March 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lol-Williamson
Rochdale30 contributions
Nov 2014 • Couples
When the Rochdale Canal was in its pomp it was the M62 of its day. Nowadays it is a much underused waterway from Sowerby Bridge in West Yorkshire to the centre of Manchester.
As well as it's obvious use by canal boats the towpath is an excellent route for walkers and cyclists. I have walked the whole of it's length in small chunks.
The junction with the Calder and Hebble canal in Sowerby Bridge is interesting with many cafes and good pubs. As one travels towards Mythomroyd and then Hebden Bridge there are many interesting features; the bridges, locks and slipways seem to be individually designed.
Further on is Todmorden with a lovely marina and a guillotine styled lock gate. As one leaves Todmorden, one climbs to Summit where it is the highest wide canal in England. Further on the canal falls towards Littleborough and then Rochdale itself.
At this point the buildings alongside the canal could be better, the scars left by the decline in manufacturing have not been completely eradicated. This is a missed opportunity by the local authority.
As one leaves Castleton, Rochdale, a nice stretch to Mills Hill is encountered. The once again the canal is bordered by decayed industry, however the next stretch from South Chadderton to Failsworth is surprisingly nice.
From Failsworth through Newton Heath the canal makes its way the Manchester. An interesting section follows through the centre of Manchester to the junction with the Bridgewater Canal which completes the journey.
Throughout the journey one sees many interesting solutions that were applied when it was decided to reopen the canal. Many areas had been filled in, not least during the construction of the M62 which gave no thought for the canal and the locks in Newton Heath which had sunk due to mining subsidence. At many points the solutions are ingenious.
One of the best features of the canal is it's accessibility. At most of its length it is shadowed by the railway making walking the canal in small sections easy and reasonably priced.
There are many eateries and pubs along the canal. It is a joy to use.
As well as it's obvious use by canal boats the towpath is an excellent route for walkers and cyclists. I have walked the whole of it's length in small chunks.
The junction with the Calder and Hebble canal in Sowerby Bridge is interesting with many cafes and good pubs. As one travels towards Mythomroyd and then Hebden Bridge there are many interesting features; the bridges, locks and slipways seem to be individually designed.
Further on is Todmorden with a lovely marina and a guillotine styled lock gate. As one leaves Todmorden, one climbs to Summit where it is the highest wide canal in England. Further on the canal falls towards Littleborough and then Rochdale itself.
At this point the buildings alongside the canal could be better, the scars left by the decline in manufacturing have not been completely eradicated. This is a missed opportunity by the local authority.
As one leaves Castleton, Rochdale, a nice stretch to Mills Hill is encountered. The once again the canal is bordered by decayed industry, however the next stretch from South Chadderton to Failsworth is surprisingly nice.
From Failsworth through Newton Heath the canal makes its way the Manchester. An interesting section follows through the centre of Manchester to the junction with the Bridgewater Canal which completes the journey.
Throughout the journey one sees many interesting solutions that were applied when it was decided to reopen the canal. Many areas had been filled in, not least during the construction of the M62 which gave no thought for the canal and the locks in Newton Heath which had sunk due to mining subsidence. At many points the solutions are ingenious.
One of the best features of the canal is it's accessibility. At most of its length it is shadowed by the railway making walking the canal in small sections easy and reasonably priced.
There are many eateries and pubs along the canal. It is a joy to use.
Written 29 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rte0008
Oldham, UK67 contributions
Apr 2014 • Family
I did not think crossing the Pennines was that easy. Great views, from Manchester lock 92 to lock 1. Only 33 miles of moderate walking, however not one for wheelchair users or for people with mobility issues. Some great eating places on route.
Written 24 April 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Philinda10
Edenfield21 contributions
The whole experience, but most memorable was Grandma Pollards chippie which must be the best in Britain
Written 14 October 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GHCedar
North East England, UK2,193 contributions
Aug 2017 • Friends
Beautiful route for an easy cycle route with pleasant places to stop off in Littleborough, Todmorden and Hebden Bridge . Plenty of good views and coffee / drinks stops on a sunny day
Written 21 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Geoff L
Luton, England, United Kingdom283 contributions
May 2016 • Solo
Its 3 days to complete the whole walk. i suggest east to west as its easier to link with train services at Sowerby Bridge, Walsden/Todmorden, Mills Hill and Manchester. Plenty of industrial history and stunning views of the Pennines.
Written 1 June 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ian H
United Kingdom119 contributions
Jul 2015 • Couples
After we had navigated the Huddersfield narrow and broad canals we thought that things had to get better . We spent some time in Sowerby Bridge and set off onto the Rochdale, disaster, there was a problem with lock 6 which meant the canal was closed and we were at lock 5 for 4 days waiting for repairs to be completed, On advice from CRT we waited another 2 days in Hebden Bridge for the canal to "recover" water levels. So on the 7th day we set of more disaster it took us 11 hours to cover 2 miles and negotiate 4 locks. This must be the worst canal for poor maintenance and lack of water, all local staff can do is move the problems around from one part of the canal to another and never actually solve any.This is not a short term situation according to locals this has been going on for years with no resolution in sight.Do not visit if you want anything like a normal canal going experience.
Written 27 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IAN D
Wigan, UK26,336 contributions
Oct 2021 • Solo
I find the Rochdale basin in Piccadilly quite stunning in an industrial way. The canal is a calming spot in this busy area of Manchester
Written 13 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
glennharrold
Scotland, UK5,191 contributions
Jun 2021 • Solo
Tranquil walk along the canal and amazing in the summery weather … ducks, geese, cows, sheep and horses as well as iconic canal boats and friendly people along the way!
Written 18 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is it a good walk from Sowerby Bridge to Hebden Bridge.?
Written 21 July 2016
Showing results 1-1 of 1
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing