Rochdale

Settlement in Lancashire

England

Rochdale

Rochdale is a town located in the county of Lancashire, in the North West region of England. Situated at the foothills of the South Pennines, it lies along the River Roch and is approximately 9 miles north-northeast of the city of Manchester. With a population of around 95,000 residents, Rochdale is the largest town in the Metropolitan Borough of Rochdale.

The town has a rich industrial heritage, with its roots dating back to the Middle Ages. It was a prominent center for the textile industry during the 19th century, particularly known for its cotton mills. Today, Rochdale is known for its diverse economy, encompassing sectors such as manufacturing, retail, healthcare, and education. It is also home to a number of notable landmarks, including Rochdale Town Hall, a Grade I listed building renowned for its Victorian Gothic architecture.

Rochdale boasts a vibrant cultural scene, with various museums, art galleries, and theaters offering a range of entertainment options. The town is also known for its strong sporting traditions, with football being a popular pastime. The local football club, Rochdale AFC, competes in the English Football League One.

Rochdale offers a mix of urban and rural landscapes, with beautiful countryside surrounding the town. The nearby South Pennines provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking and cycling. The town benefits from good transport links, including rail connections to Manchester and Leeds, and is situated close to major motorways, making it easily accessible for commuters and visitors alike.

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Rochdale Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 53.616956/-2.156716 or Grid Reference SD8913. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Rochdale Metro station and Mosque in Maclure Road

Raymond Knapman

The Old Fire Station (Fireground Museum)

The old Fire Brigade Station on Maclure Road dates from 1933 (SD8912 : Fire Brigade Station Detail). It became redundant when new premises were built near Halifax Road. (Archive Link

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Services) It is now the home of the Fireground museum Link

David Dixon

Rochdale Fire Station Hose Drying Tower

The original tower at the fire station was built, not for practising but, for drying the hoses which would have rotted if put away wet.

David Dixon

Rochdale Fireground Museum

The Fireground Museum is housed in the former fire station on Maclure Road in Rochdale. Twenty-five larger exhibits make up the museum’s appliance fleet, and this is supported by other items of firefighting equipment, uniforms, models, medals and insignia, paintings, curios and other objects. See the museum’s website (Link

) for more information.

David Dixon

Rochdale Fireground, Pump Street

As well as the ‘appliance room’ with six full-size fire engines lined up, many of the museum’s objects are displayed in Pump Street, a recreated Victorian street complete with houses, shops, a police station and a fire station.

David Dixon

Fire Marks at Rochdale Fireground

A small selection of insurance companies' fire marks Link

displayed at the fireground museum inside the old Rochdale Fire Station.

David Dixon

Cranberry Street, Rochdale Fireground

As well as the Victorian Street (SD8912 : Rochdale Fireground, Pump Street), the Fireground museum also contains this recreation of a war-time scene, "Cranberry Street" displaying objects relating to the Manchester Blitz Link

of December 1940.

David Dixon

Rochdale Fireground, The Appliance Room

) for more information.

David Dixon

The Appliance Room, Rochdale Fireground

) for more information.

David Dixon

Duke Street Mill, Rochdale

Mid to late 19th century, with stone facades to Queen Street and Duke street, although the principal build material is brick.

Alan Murray-Rust

Duke Street Mill, Rochdale

Mid to late 19th century, with stone facades to Queen Street and Duke street, although the principal build material is brick. The grey building is the former Mount Pleasant Inn. Between it and the main mill is the engine house for the mill, with a blocked tall round-headed window. This would probably have housed a beam engine.

Alan Murray-Rust