The Secrets of Rochdale with a Visit to the Magnificent Town Hall
Supplied by: Jonathan Schofield Tours
Discover Rochdale’s rich history on this guided tour, featuring the newly restored Town Hall, St Chad’s Church, and the Pioneers Museum. From stunning architecture to the birthplace of the cooperative movement, this walk brings the town’s remarkable story to life.
Overview
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.
Standout architecture here includes the superb Town Hall. 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.
Highlights
- Unearth the rich and fascinating history of Rochdale
- Visit Rochdale’s stunning Town Hall, one of the UK's finest examples of Victorian Gothic architecture
- Explore more stunning Neo-Gothic architecture at St Chad’s Church
- Learn about the significance of Rochdale to the modern cooperative movement at the Pioneers Museum
- Hear tales about the influential people who have lived in Rochdale
What's included
- Guided tour led by a knowledgeable and experienced tour guide
- Food and drink
- Transportation to and from the walking tour
- Umbrellas
Cancellation policy
You may cancel or modify your booking up to 24 hours before the event start time for a full refund.
