Rochdale factfile

How to get to Rochdale
Rochdale is part of the Greater Manchester area, lying nearly 16 km (10 mi) to the north-east of Manchester. The town is within easy reach of the M62 motorway, and is served by Manchester City airport.

Rochdale through the ages
The town of Rochdale has been a prominent market town since the Middle Ages. But it will always be best known as a centre for textile processing in the 1800s, when it became one of Britain's first industrialised "boomtowns" and its myriad mills and chimneys became a fixture of the town's landscape. But with the advent of synthetic fibres, Rochdale's cotton processing industry has all but disappeared today.

Shopping in Rochdale
The Rochdale Exchange Shopping Centre is Rochdale's retail heart, containing both high-street shops and a traditional market hall and covered market area.

Arts and culture in Rochdale
Rochdale's thriving youth arts and culture scene includes Skylight Circus, a centre for promoting circus arts, the Rochdale Music Service, Backdoor Music Project and M6 Theatre Company, all of which stage regular performances by and for young people. Rochdale's Amateur Operatic Society, founded in 1898, stages regular performances at the Gracie Fields Theatre in town.

Natural beauty spots around Rochdale
Rochdale is within easy reach of the beautiful landscape of the Pennines, and still has a picturesque canal network. Healy Dell Nature Reserve, between Rochdale and Whitworth, provides varied habitats for a range of animals, birds and plants. There's a visitors' centre with a permanent exhibition exploring the industrial history of the area.

Famous people from Rochdale
Rochdale has produced a number of famous performers, including actor Colin Baker of Dr Who fame, actress Anna Friel, comedian Bill Oddie and singer Gracie Fields.

Rochdale's claim to fame
Rochdale was the birthplace of the Co-operative Movement. The Rochdale Equitable Pioneers Society was recognised as the first modern co-operative.