The Secrets of Rochdale with a Visit to the Town Hall
Johnny James, Managing Editor
Incorporating the esplanade, Town Hall and Pioneers Museum, Rochdale has an incredible story to tell. And who better to tell it than Jonathan Schofield Tours, who’ll bring this tale to life as you explore the sites (and sights) of a fascinating town.
“Here all is completely different from Lancashire towns, and indeed all English towns. The town hall lies surrounded by public gardens on three sides and the church lies up a steep bank, and the bank is also a public garden. So the centre is green and pleasant.”
Thus wrote the great guru of British architecture in the second half of the 20th century, Nikolaus Pevsner. On this tour you’ll assess the truth of that statement while peeling back the history of Rochdale, whose buildings and people come with some incredible stories.
The Town Hall really is an architectural gem. With its intricate stone carvings, grand clock tower and stained glass windows, it’s one of the UK’s finest examples of Victorian Gothic architecture, and having just undergone a four-year renovation project, there’s never been a better time to see it. Once inside, look up. The hammerbeam ceiling of the great hall features 350 painted lath and plaster panels, which have been painstakingly restored as part of a £20m project.
But there’s plenty more to see in this town, including the splendid St Chad’s Church and the Pioneers Museum – both with their own story to tell. The former brings yet more stunning Gothic Revival architecture, and the latter offers a captivating journey into the history of the cooperative movement, showcasing the town’s pivotal role in shaping modern commerce and social enterprise.
Led by a knowledgeable and experienced tour guide, this walking tour will leave you viewing Rochdale in a whole new light.
